The Mattress Recycling Council, a nonprofit organization formed to develop and implement state mattress-recycling laws, has announced its 2014-2015 board of directors. The International Sleep Products Association formed the MRC in late 2013, soon after Connecticut, Rhode Island and California enacted the first state mattress-recycling laws in the United States.
The MRC’s initial board is comprised of a distinguished group representing the bedding industry, including: MRC Chair Richard Diamonstein, managing director, Paramount Sleep; Dale Carlsen, president and chief executive officer, Sleep Train; Doug Guffey, president, Sleep Inc.; Dan Hige, vice president of manufacturing, Sealy Inc.; Matt Kershner, vice president, product general manager, Select Comfort Corporation; Mark Kolovson, president, King Koil Northeast (division of Blue Bell Mattress Co.); and Kristen McGuffey, executive vice president and general counsel, Serta Simmons Holdings LLC.
The MRC’s objective is to implement state mattress-recycling laws in a consumer-friendly, efficient and cost-effective manner. These mattress-recycling programs are expected to launch in early 2015 in Connecticut and in early 2016 in Rhode Island and California. The MRC will administer these programs, which will be funded by a visible point-of-purchase fee collected from consumers and other end-users on mattress sales.
“We are very fortunate to have such a diverse group of industry leaders serve on this newly created board,” said Ryan Trainer, president of both the MRC and ISPA. “MRC has many issues to consider as it fulfills the regulatory obligations to implement these laws and increase mattress recycling. The broad set of talents and experiences represented on the MRC board will be invaluable to this process.”
