Environment - Office of Recycling - Mattress Stewardship Program - Establishment
The legislation is significant in its potential to reshape how mattresses are managed at the end of their life cycle. By instituting a mandatory collection and recycling program, it aims to substantially increase recycling rates—currently around 5% nationally—and reduce environmental impacts associated with discarded mattresses. Furthermore, the bill encourages collaboration between producers, retailers, and local entities for efficient mattress disposal methods, potentially leading to economic development through recycling jobs and improved waste management infrastructure, especially in underserved communities.
House Bill 1355 establishes a Mattress Stewardship Program in Maryland aimed at addressing the significant disposal issues presented by mattresses, which are bulky and environmentally damaging when disposed of improperly. The bill mandates that, starting January 1, 2029, mattresses cannot be disposed of in landfills or incinerators, unless they are deeply contaminated. It requires mattress producers and a representative organization to submit a stewardship program plan to the Maryland Department of the Environment. This plan will include an assessment to cover the program's operational costs, educational materials for consumers, and a detailed outline of mattress collection, recycling, and waste management practices.
While the bill has strong support from environmental advocates due to its focus on sustainability and public health, it could face pushback from industry stakeholders concerned about the financial implications of the stewardship assessments and the regulatory burden of compliance. Critics may argue that consumers could face higher prices as a result of the added costs associated with these programs. Additionally, the enforcement mechanisms and potential penalties for non-compliance could be viewed as overly stringent by some producers and retailers, prompting discussions about the balance between regulation and industry sustainability.