A new survey by Soft Landing Mattress Recycling, Australia’s largest mattress recycler, reveals Australian consumers’ strong stance on mattress sustainability and recycling. It issues a call to action to councils and retailers nationwide to help solve the growing problem of mattresses in landfills.
The newly released ‘Mattresses Matter’ Sustainability Survey finds that Australians are highly concerned about the sustainability of their mattress, with 93% of Australian consumers saying they would be more likely to purchase a new mattress from a retailer that collects and recycles their old one. Over 8 in 10 people (86%) are willing to pay extra for this service.
According to the research, 62% of people say that sustainability is important when purchasing a new mattress, and the vast majority (93%) are eager to recycle their end-of-life mattresses responsibly to
avoid landfill. 96% say it’s important that their local council provides a free mattress collection and recycling service through an Approved Recycler.
While only 26% have used a mattress recycling service in the past, 65% would like to use one in the future. Respondents cited lack of recycling services (58%), uncertainty of services available (54%), and cost (33%) as the top three barriers to mattress recycling.
To remove these barriers and end mattresses in landfill for good, Soft Landing, an Australian Bedding Stewardship Council (ABSC) Approved Recycler, is calling for retailers and councils nationwide to partner with them to provide a mattress collection and recycling service to all Australians.
General Manager David Petrie says, “1.8 million old mattresses are disposed of each year in Australia. Of these, it is estimated that over 740,000 end up in landfill. This equates to 5,500 average elephants or nearly 2,500 compactor trucks”.
“They take up enormous amounts of space and contribute significantly to environmental pollution; it’s 22,000 tonnes of needless waste that can be reduced through responsible recycling, so it’s encouraging to see such positive consumer attitudes towards mattress recycling in Australia.”
“We partner with many progressive councils and retailers to provide Australians with an accessible mattress collection and recycling service but there is still much to do. We can support people to do the right thing with their end-of-life mattresses and reduce mattresses on our streets and in landfills.”
“Australians are saying they’ll use mattress recycling services if they’re available – so why not give them the chance?”
Kylie Roberts-Frost, ABSC CEO, says, “Mattresses were included in the Minister’s Product Stewardship Priority List for 2023-2024 due to the significant environmental challenge they pose. The data from Soft Landing highlights the critical need for a coordinated industry effort to address this issue comprehensively”.
“Our objective is to see mattresses designed for longevity and recyclability, ensuring valuable materials are reused and waste is minimised, where reuse is not an option. This aligns with the growing consumer demand for sustainable outcomes.”
“Collaboration between ABSC Approved Recyclers like Soft Landing, retailers, and local councils is vital. These partnerships will not only help reduce the number of mattresses ending up in landfills but also support consumers who are keen to make environmentally responsible choices.”
“By working together, manufacturers, retailers, and councils can play a pivotal role in creating a more sustainable future for the mattress industry.”
Backgrounder
View the full Mattresses Matter – Sustainability Survey Report: https://softlanding.com.au/mattressesmatterreport/
What actions can you take?
Consumers: Book a mattress collection through our online portal: https://softlanding.com.au/book/. Ask your mattress retailer if they partner with us to recycle your old mattress; shop with a retailer that does provide this service. Email your local council and ask if they partner with us to recycle residents’ mattresses; if not, ask them to provide this service.
Retailers: Partner with us to collect and recycle consumers’ old mattresses. Stock mattresses that are made with recyclable materials.
Councils: Partner with us to collect and recycle residents’ old mattresses and mattresses taken to local landfills.
About us:
About Soft Landing
Soft Landing is a national not-for-profit social enterprise and registered charity that collects and recycles mattresses to keep waste out of landfill and create jobs for people experiencing barriers to work. For every 23 mattresses that we collect and recycle, we create a job for someone who really needs one.
www.softlanding.com.au
Contact details:
Rachel Walker
Communications and Marketing Manager
P: 02 6555 8922
E: rachel.walker@communityresources.org.au
