Mattress and Box Spring Recycling Program Suspended

posted April 3, 2014 – 11:21am

The loss of its recycler has forced the City of Madison to suspend its mattress and box spring recycling program after only 9 months of operation. Midwest Mattress Recycling has informed the Streets Division that it has closed its doors and will no longer accept any items for recycling.

     “We are extremely disappointed to have to suspend our mattress and box spring recycling program,” Madison’s recycling coordinator George Dreckmann said. “The program had a lot of public support, but our recycler was just not able to survive financially.”

     Effective immediately, the Streets Division will no longer charge a fee for the collection or mattresses and box springs. A ten dollar fee had been charged to cover the cost of recycling the units. Unused $10 fee stickers can be used to cover the fee for recycling TV’s, computers, and computer monitors. Refunds for unused stickers will also be given.

     “The program had diverted 111 tons of mattresses and box springs since July 29, 2013,” Dreckmann said. “Unfortunately, we will now go back to taking these units to the landfill.”

     Residents with unused stickers who would like a refund can mail unused stickers to the Streets Division, 1501 W. Badger Rd, Madison, WI 53713. You may also return stickers to our offices at 1501 W. Badger Rd or 4602 Sycamore Av during regular business hours Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. Residents who purchased stickers on line should call 266-4681 for refund information.

     “We have spent the last week trying to find an alternative recycling option for our mattresses and box springs,” Dreckmann said. “Unfortunately, we could not find a firm that would accept all of our units. We will continue to search for alternatives and we hope to be able to restart the program as soon as we find a suitable recycling option.”