The Californer - Long Beach: City's 24-Hour Mattress Recycling Pilot Becomes Permanent Program

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Long Beach, CA ~ Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach has officially made its 24/7 mattress recycling program a permanent service after a successful pilot program. This convenient and sustainable option allows residents to dispose of their used mattresses responsibly, free of charge and available at any time.

Mayor Rex Richardson expressed his satisfaction with the success of the pilot program, stating that it highlights the city's commitment to reducing waste and making positive changes for the community. "This program provides our community with an easy way to responsibly dispose of their used mattresses, and in turn contribute positively to the health of our city," said Mayor Richardson.

The partnership between the City and the Mattress Recycling Council began in April 2023, with staffed weekend collection events taking place on the first Saturday of every month. During these events, the City's Clean Team was able to repurpose 607 mattresses. Building on this success, a 24/7 mattress drop-off program was piloted in August 2024 to increase accessibility. In just three months, this self-serve option led to an additional 397 mattresses being sustainably repurposed.

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Residents can now bring their used mattresses and box springs to the 24/7 drop-off site located at 970 W. Chester Pl., where they will be sorted and taken to a recycling facility. The materials will then be separated into steel, foam, fiber, and wood. With over 75% of mattress components being recyclable, this program not only reduces waste but also helps prevent illegal dumping and diverts mattresses from landfills.

Director of Public Works Eric Lopez emphasized the environmental benefits of this program. "By bringing used mattresses to the drop-off location, residents prevent potent greenhouse gas emissions, free up City resources for other cleanup efforts and contribute to clean and healthy streets throughout Long Beach," said Lopez.

Illegal dumping is a major issue in Long Beach, with approximately 18,000 mattresses being dumped in the city each year. This not only strains City resources but also contributes to blight in neighborhoods and poses public health risks by attracting pests. The City's Public Works Department currently allocates over $180,000 annually for Clean Team staffing costs towards mattress collection. However, even when mattresses are disposed of properly at landfills, their decomposition releases methane, a harmful greenhouse gas. By offering a year-round self-serve drop-off option, the City's Clean Team can redirect their efforts to other critical services that maintain a healthy and safe environment in Long Beach.

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The 24/7 mattress drop-off service will replace the weekend collection events, with the last one taking place on December 7, 2024. For more information on this program, residents can visit longbeach.gov/mattressdropoff. The City of Long Beach is committed to sustainability and reducing waste through accessible and convenient services like this one.

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