Oregon imposes $22.50 mattress fee to boost recycling efforts

Oregon began a program on January 1, 2025, that imposes a $22.50 fee on consumers purchasing mattresses or box springs. This initiative, part of the state's effort to enhance environmental responsibility, is designed to fund recycling initiatives aimed at reducing the number of used mattresses that end up in landfills. Oregon is the fourth state to establish such a policy, with California and Connecticut similarly raising their fees at the beginning of 2025. The fees collected are essential for financing state recycling programs and reflect a growing movement toward extensive producer responsibility (EPR) laws across the United States. These laws encourage manufacturers to manage their products' end-of-life by providing funds for recycling programs and infrastructure, helping to promote a circular economy. In Oregon's case, more than half of the collected fee will be allocated to operational costs of the recycling program, with funds also going toward start-up costs and public education. Other states, including Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, and Virginia, are considering implementing similar mattress recycling programs. Existing programs have already established numerous collection sites across participating states, making recycling more accessible to consumers. With the collaboration of the Mattress Recycling Council, efforts are underway to ensure a sustainable system through which consumers can return their unwanted mattresses, thus reducing illegal dumping and associated environmental degradation. As these initiatives gather momentum, stakeholders in the mattress industry are encouraged to cooperate with lawmakers and consumers alike to foster an environmentally friendly framework. By involving both producers and consumers in these programs, states aim not only to manage waste more effectively but also to shift the societal mindset towards more sustainable practices regarding commonly used household items.