Kate Caddy is the director of sustainability for the International Sleep Products Association, which supports members in achieving sustainability goals through resource development, partnerships and education. She also manages ISPA’s Sustainability Committee and organizes ISPA’s annual Sustainability Conference. On the Mattress Recycling Council side, she oversees the Sleep Products Sustainability Program, a sustainable manufacturing certification, and leads industry workgroups advancing circular design.
BedTimes: What drew you to ISPA?
Kate Caddy: What initially drew me to the industry was its strong commitment to end-of-use materials management. ISPA and MRC have built effective systems to collect, recycle and repurpose mattress components. I’m motivated by the challenge of helping companies minimize environmental impact while maintaining profitability and delivering quality products and services. What continues to draw me to the industry is the people — passionate, creative and innovative individuals who genuinely care about helping people get a good night’s sleep and know how to have fun while doing it.
BT: What’s something about ISPA that people might not know?
KC: One cool thing about ISPA and MRC is that MRC has collected over 10 years of data on what happens to mattresses at the end of use. It’s rare for an industry to have such a complete picture of how products are collected, dismantled and where the post-consumer component materials go. ISPA and MRC share this knowledge with the industry in a variety of ways, which helps manufacturers understand recycling challenges, rethink product design, inspire new machinery to improve deconstruction, and guide innovations to keep valuable materials out of the waste stream.
I love how engaged the industry is in learning about the end-of-life use of their products and how actively they collaborate with ISPA and MRC. The potential for impact is huge, and we continue to share information and create collaborative environments where ideas can grow.
BT: What accomplishment are you most proud of since working for ISPA?
KC: I’m sure it’s no surprise, but one of the things I’m most proud of is our Sustainability Conference. We stay on top of the latest trends, regulations and industry needs, tailoring the content to support those priorities. I’m especially proud of this year’s conference because we made it more interactive and collaborative to help drive the changes and actions our industry wants to see.
I also enjoy working with ISPA’s Sustainability Committee. We’re fortunate to have a dedicated group of volunteers who are equally passionate about sustainability and help guide our efforts. I am proud to work in an industry so invested in sustainability and continuous improvement.
BT: What is a book, podcast or movie you enjoyed recently?
KC: I’m really into crime podcasts, but I also love the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s “The Circular Economy Show.” It explores the circular economy through conversations with experts from business, government and academia. A recent episode featured a company that handles returns and damaged products through repair, reuse and resale. Out-of-the-box thinking turned what could have been waste into unexpected new revenue streams.
I’m also a big fan of author Kristin Hannah. She writes what my friends and I call “brutiful” historical fiction, stories both beautiful and brutal. I just finished “The Women,” about female nurses in the Vietnam War. All her books are good, but I always need a lighter read — usually a mystery or psychological thriller — afterward to recover.
