JACKSON, WYo. — Teton County Integrated Solid Waste and Recycling (ISWR) announced a new program beginning Dec. 6 to recycle mattresses and box springs.
Teton County and the Town of Jackson adopted Zero Waste Resolutions in 2014 and 2015. The intent of the resolution is to divert 60% of Teton County’s waste from the landfill by 2030. “60% diversion is an ambitious goal, and the new Mattress Recycling Program is an initiative on the road to zero waste to help our community reach that goal,” says ISWR
According to ISWR, Over 30 million mattresses are sent to landfills across the country each year. Bulky mattresses pose several challenges for landfills. They don’t compact, take up a lot of space, and create flammable air pockets resulting in countless landfill fires annually. Additionally, it takes decades for a mattress to decompose.
Teton County ISWR is partnering with Spring Back Utah Mattress Recycling. Spring Back will deconstruct each mattress resulting in 95% of the mattress being reused.
Different elements of each mattress will be given a new life:
- Foam and pillow-top layers are rebounded into carpet padding.
- Steel is melted at a foundry in Utah and made into rebar for use in the construction industry.
- Wood is repurposed into landscape mulch, biomass fuel, or new wood product.
- Cotton is made into “green” home insulation.
- Felt is used to make moving blankets.
Mattresses and box springs can be dropped off at the Trash Transfer Station, Monday to Friday; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The tip fee for mattress and box spring recycling is $26.00 each.
For more information or questions, please contact Teton County ISWR at (307) 733-7678 or visit the ISWR website.
