New research highlights positive picture of mattress waste disposal and recycling by authorities in Wales

The worrying results of a new survey undertaken through Freedom of Information Act requests to every one of the UK’s 385 waste authorities in the UK has highlighted a gulf between the best and worst performers in recycling bulky waste such as mattresses, and prompted the launch of a new website to aid consumers keen to recycle as much as possible. However, it has also shown that the 22 authorities in Wales are among the best performing across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In the midst of the busiest six weeks of the year for UK mattress sales, also the peak time for disposal, the survey data underlines why there is still consumer confusion about how to get rid of an end-of-life mattress responsibly.

Figures showed Wales to be performing well above the national average both for diversion from landfill and recycling. None of the region’s councils reported to use landfill as their primary method of disposal (national average 25.1%). In addition, 86.4% of councils were sending mattress waste to be separated into component parts for reuse or recycling (national average 39.9%). Incineration (generating energy from waste) was utilised by 18.2% of councils (national average 36%), either as a stand-alone method or in combination with recycling. In terms of future mattress disposal, councils currently using incineration stated there was a focus on finding the most “environmentally safe” options with a “high emphasis on recycling”.

With the survey highlighting the lack of a single, UK-wide resource providing information about how each local authority deals with this type of bulky waste, the National Bed Federation (NBF) which represents the bed industry across the UK, has launched a new free to use portal www.mattressdisposal.co.uk. The website gives insight into how different parts of the UK are disposing of unwanted mattresses and the recycling of their various components, and to signpost consumers to the best options for recycling in their town or city.

Tom Williams, sustainability & circular economy lead for the NBF, said: “Despite growing pressure from consumers for more environmentally-friendly mattress disposal options, it is disappointing to see such disparity across the UK with many regions and nations still a long way from reaching the NBF’s target of 75% mattress diversion from landfill by 2028. However, it must be pointed out that there are often valid reasons, beyond the local authority’s control, why they are not able to achieve higher levels of sustainability. For example, due to prohibitive costs or the lack of specialist recycling facilities. The vital thing is they continue to strive towards finding ‘greener’ solutions and learn from those that have made progress.

“With increased financial pressure on local authorities, we believe that the Government needs to support plans for a nationwide programme to fund a consistent service, perhaps combined with some type of Extended Producer Responsibilities (EPR) scheme, that that make it easy for everyone to cost-effectively recycle their used mattresses.”

The cost of mattress collection in the Wales did amount to a postcode lottery, with prices ranging from ‘free of charge’ to up to £56.50. The average fee for mattress collection across the region was £26.26, sitting just above the national average of £24.84.

With mattresses classed as a ‘difficult waste’ within the recycling industry, a number of councils have partnered with specialist bulky waste collection companies which are working to improve re-use/recycling processes, with the aim of creating viable and affordable solutions for the ever-increasing market.

Williams added: “Not only has our comprehensive research, given a clearer picture of what’s happening to unwanted mattresses across the UK, it has also enabled us to create the first ever dedicated mattress disposal portal, providing a free local search function alongside numerous resources, to make it easier for people to dispose of their mattresses responsibly.”

To find out more about how to dispose of mattresses in your local area visit www.mattressdisposal.co.uk.