In Virginia, a mattress recycling bill (HB 86) supported by the International Sleep Products Association had a public hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 4, in the state House Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources Committee’s Natural Resources Subcommittee.
ISPA attended the hearing in Richmond and testified in support of this legislation. Importantly, HB 86 follows the structure that has enabled the Mattress Recycling Council to operate effectively in other states, while allowing for the flexibility needed to make the program a success in the commonwealth.
The bill passed the subcommittee 9-1 and the full ACNR Committee 19-3 on Wednesday, Feb. 11. At press time, ISPA is hopeful that with the bipartisan, positive ACNR report that HB 86 will pass a floor vote in theVirginia House of Delegates and proceed to the State Senate.
This progress builds on conversations that began in 2024. Since then, ISPA has worked closely with the bill sponsor, Delegate Amy Laufer, and other stakeholders, including the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, waste management entities, and environmental groups, to build a coalition of support around HB 86. ISPA is drawing on the MRC’s successful programs in California, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Oregon to help build the case that the practical and consistent framework outlined in HB 86 will work for Virginia.
