ISPA news release: Rhode Island signs nation's 2nd mattress recycling bill into law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 16, 2013
Contact: Karin Mahoney
kmahoney@sleepproducts.org
(703) 683-8371, ex 1131

RHODE ISLAND SIGNS NATION’S SECOND MATTRESS RECYCLING BILL INTO LAW

(Alexandria, VA) – On July 15, 2013 Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee signed legislation into law that would create the nation’s second mattress recycling program. The International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) worked closely with Rhode Island Senate Majority Leader Dominick Ruggerio and House Environment and Natural Resources Committee Chair Representative Arthur Handy to craft legislation that will recycle used mattresses in Rhode Island. The legislation tasks mattress manufacturers in Rhode Island with creating an organization to responsibly collect and process discarded mattresses throughout the Ocean State.

“We were pleased to work with state officials to develop legislation that promotes the proper disposal of mattresses while keeping costs low and creating jobs,” noted ISPA Vice President of Government Relations and Policy Christopher Hudgins. “The Rhode Island law follows industry-supported legislation that recently passed in Connecticut and serves as a model for other states interested in tackling this important issue.”

The new law requires mattress manufacturers to propose a detailed plan for mattress recycling in Rhode Island by July 1, 2015. The program will create opportunities for all mattresses in Rhode Island to be recycled and will help combat the issue of illegally dumped mattresses.

Similar mattress recycling legislation is currently working its way through the California Legislature.

Established in 1915, the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the growth, profitability and stature of the mattress industry. As the industry’s trade organization, ISPA represents nearly 700 mattress manufacturers and suppliers throughout the world. ISPA provides a wide range of services that benefit its membership. These include exclusive industry surveys and statistics, advocacy support, educational offerings, the industry’s ISPA EXPO trade show, safety research through its Sleep Products Safety Council, consumer research and education through its Better Sleep Council, BedTimes and Sleep Savvy publications, and more.

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