Meet Mike O’Donnell, Mattress Recycling Council’s Chief Operating Officer.
Mike O’Donnell leads the day-to-day operations of the Mattress Recycling Council, manages staff, directs research efforts and oversees all aspects of the program.
O’Donnell began working with MRC as a consultant in 2013 before joining full time to launch the statewide mattress collection programs in California, Connecticut and Rhode Island. He has more than 25 years of experience in managing solid and hazardous waste collection programs.
BT: Describe your role in a few sentences.
MO: As COO of the Mattress Recycling Council, my role continues to evolve as our recycling programs have matured. MRC now employs more than 30 full-time staff managing all aspects of our programs including operations, supply chain, marketing, research, retailer compliance and accounting. I have my hands in everything and thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. My focus is always on the future, ensuring the long-term viability and sustainability of mattress recycling.
BT: What drew you to the industry?
MO: I was drawn to ISPA because of the industry’s desire to find solutions to a global solid waste problem. Discarded mattresses pose challenges across the entire solid waste management supply chain and ISPA played a key role in advocating for effective recycling laws that made the creation of MRC possible. Today, the MRC team excels at replicating our successful recycling programs as long as we have a strong regulatory framework and support from key stakeholders.
BT: How do MRC and the International Sleep Products Association work together? Why is it an important relationship?
MO: Some readers may not know that all MRC staff are also ISPA employees. The support of ISPA headquarters, along with the backing of the ISPA and MRC boards and our members, has been crucial to the success of our programs. I began working part time with (former ISPA president) Ryan Trainer in 2013, and together, we conceptualized and built the business framework for MRC, which launched our first program in Connecticut on May 1, 2015. We’ll soon be celebrating our 10th anniversary.
BT: What is one of the most exciting things you’ve accomplished since working for MRC?
MO: I was thrilled when we recycled our one millionth mattress in 2016, and I’m still amazed every time we hit another milestone. (We’re at 15 million now.) Our members may not know that the mattress industry is highly regarded in the solid waste community for its collaborative approach to problem-solving and our successful recycling programs. I expect that MRC will expand into more states in the near future and that our research efforts will create a new, sustainable market for post-consumer mattress foam. It’s been fantastic to see the growth of our programs, but the credit truly goes to everyone on the MRC team.
BT: What’s something people might not know about you?
MO: I’ve been working in solid waste and recycling for more than 33 years, so garbage and litter are in my DNA. We have two pups who need regular walks, and they generate a lot of dog bags. For 15 years, I’ve made it a point to pick up at least one piece of litter before closing a dog bag and estimate that I’ve collected over 15,000 bits of litter in West Seattle. Candy wrappers, cigarette butts and Styrofoam peanuts bring me joy.
Stay informed about the work MRC is doing: Mattress Recycling Program Launches in Oregon.
