If you’re a mattress retailer in California, you’ve probably heard about AB-187, a law that directly impacts how mattresses are sold, recycled, and disposed of in the state. But what does it really mean for your business?
According to the Mattress Recycling Council, Californians discard over 50,000 mattresses every day. Without proper recycling, these bulky items take up valuable landfill space and contribute to environmental waste. That’s where AB-187 comes in.
This legislation was designed to enhance the state’s existing mattress recycling program (California Mattress Law). As a retailer, understanding your responsibilities under this law is crucial, not just to stay compliant but also to contribute to a more sustainable future.
In this blog, we’ll break down the history of mattress regulations in California, explain what AB-187 entails, and provide resources to help you navigate compliance. Let’s begin!
California Mattress Law: History And Overview
The California Mattress Law, officially known as the Used Mattress Recovery and Recycling Act (SB 254), was enacted in 2013 to reduce mattress waste and promote recycling. This law led to the creation of the Bye Bye Mattress program, managed by the Mattress Recycling Council (MRC), which oversees the collection, transportation, and recycling of discarded mattresses and box springs.
Since 2016, California consumers have paid a recycling fee for every new mattress and box spring purchased. Currently set at $10.50 per unit, this fee funds the recycling program. The law also requires manufacturers, retailers, and renovators selling mattresses in California to register with the MRC and comply with its regulations.
Through this initiative, over 10 million mattresses have been recycled in California, diverting millions of pounds of waste from landfills and helping create a more sustainable mattress disposal system.
What is AB-187?
AB-187 is a California law enacted in 2019 as an amendment to the Used Mattress Recovery and Recycling Act (SB 254). It strengthens the state’s mattress recycling program by holding mattress retailers accountable for the collection of old mattresses and further enhancing consumer convenience. This law requires mattress retailers, both online and in-store, to offer free haul-away services for old mattresses when delivering a new one. It also introduces stricter reporting requirements for the Mattress Recycling Council (MRC), ensuring funds collected from recycling fees are used effectively.
Why Was AB-187 Created?
AB-187 was introduced to address gaps in California’s mattress recycling program. Despite the success of SB 254, concerns arose regarding:
- Illegal Dumping: Many mattresses were still being abandoned on streets and vacant lots.
- Lack of Transparency: There was limited oversight on how recycling fees (collected from consumers) were managed.
- Retailer Non-Compliance: Some retailers were not offering proper mattress take-back services.
Resources to Assist Retailers with Compliance
This law has doubled the workload for mattress retailers, especially with the rise of online mattress-in-a-box shopping. This convenience leads to premature mattress disposal, increasing waste and sustainability issues. Retailers, both online and brick & mortar stores, must now establish efficient reverse logistics for recycling and meet new compliance requirements., including:
- Submitting a detailed plan and budget for their mattress recycling program.
- Preparing and procuring annual compliance reports.
- Incorporating the state’s mattress recycling fee into retail pricing.
To help retailers in these efforts, there are various government and private resources. Here’s what these resources are and how they help:
Mattress Recycling Council (MRC) Compliance Program
The MRC provides retailers, manufacturers, and renovators with guidelines, registration portals, and reporting tools to ensure compliance with AB-187. You can visit the Mattress Recycling Council for these resources.
California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle)
CalRecycle oversees the enforcement of AB-187 and provides detailed compliance guides, retailer obligations, and financial oversight reports for retailers.
Retailer Mattress Haul-Away Programs
Retailer mattress haul-away programs, like Bye Bye Mattress and MRC-certified recyclers, help retailers manage mattress disposal. These services include pick-up, drop-off locations, and recycling guidance, ensuring proper disposal.
Online Compliance Training & Webinars
The MRC and industry groups offer free training sessions and webinars to help businesses understand record-keeping, reporting requirements, and haul-away obligations.
State-Approved Recycling Facilities
Businesses can use CalRecycle’s database to find licensed recycling centers that comply with California’s environmental standards. Ensuring proper disposal through these facilities helps retailers meet AB-187 requirements.
HAUL PROS Assisting In Logistics Support For Pickup & Delivery
HAUL PROS provides specialized logistics support to help mattress retailers comply with AB-187’s haul-away and recycling requirements. We offer seamless pickup and delivery services, ensuring old mattresses are properly collected and transported to state-approved recycling centers.Haul Pros also assists with inventory management, scheduled pickups, and bulk removals, making compliance easier for retailers selling both online and in stores. Call us at (949) 500-2096 or request a free quote today!
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