John Elliott

End-of-life mattresses are a growing problem in Australia. Placed end-to-end they would stretch from Darwin to the tip of Tasmania . Many of them end up in landfill and some even on our streets. The Australian Bedding Stewardship Council (ABSC) is a not-for-profit, industry partnership established to tackle this problem. We are a product stewardship program that aims to get mattresses and bedding out of landfill and off our streets to be recycled. We work with supply chain, manufacturers, retailers and recyclers to move towards a circular economy for mattresses. The ABSC partners with key stakeholders to improve recycling outcomes for bedding products from start to end of life. Mattresses cause significant issues in landfill, taking up valuable space, breaking down slowly and burying non-renewable resources. There is also a consistent problem of illegal dumping by the community because mattresses are a bulky, heavy item that is difficult to dispose of. All this leads to unsafe landfills, unsightly kerbsides and unnecessary carbon emissions [or resource loss]. The ABSC is the answer. We’re working on solutions that make recycling easy for consumers, so they can share the responsibility for their used mattress. We work with supply chain and manufacturers to utilise inputs that work towards a circular economy for mattresses and bedding. We engage with retailers to encourage recycling at the time of purchase. Finally, we work with mattress recyclers to maximise diversion outcomes, research new recycling opportunities and create sustainable jobs.

B Lab U.S. & Canada is a part of a global network that serves a movement of people using business as a force for good. A historic global culture shift is underway to harness the power of business to help address society’s greatest challenges. B Lab’s goal is to accelerate this culture shift and make it meaningful and lasting. Our vision is of an inclusive, equitable and regenerative economic system for all people and the planet.

End-of-life mattresses are a growing problem in Australia. Placed end-to-end they would stretch from Darwin to the tip of Tasmania . Many of them end up in landfill and some even on our streets. The Australian Bedding Stewardship Council (ABSC) is a not-for-profit, industry partnership established to tackle this problem. We are a product stewardship program that aims to get mattresses and bedding out of landfill and off our streets to be recycled. We work with supply chain, manufacturers, retailers and recyclers to move towards a circular economy for mattresses. The ABSC partners with key stakeholders to improve recycling outcomes for bedding products from start to end of life. Mattresses cause significant issues in landfill, taking up valuable space, breaking down slowly and burying non-renewable resources. There is also a consistent problem of illegal dumping by the community because mattresses are a bulky, heavy item that is difficult to dispose of. All this leads to unsafe landfills, unsightly kerbsides and unnecessary carbon emissions [or resource loss]. The ABSC is the answer. We’re working on solutions that make recycling easy for consumers, so they can share the responsibility for their used mattress. We work with supply chain and manufacturers to utilise inputs that work towards a circular economy for mattresses and bedding. We engage with retailers to encourage recycling at the time of purchase. Finally, we work with mattress recyclers to maximise diversion outcomes, research new recycling opportunities and create sustainable jobs.

B Lab U.S. & Canada is a part of a global network that serves a movement of people using business as a force for good. A historic global culture shift is underway to harness the power of business to help address society’s greatest challenges. B Lab’s goal is to accelerate this culture shift and make it meaningful and lasting. Our vision is of an inclusive, equitable and regenerative economic system for all people and the planet.