City of Long Beach, CA Conducting Pilot Program for 24/7 Drop-Off of Used Mattresses

SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): The City of Long Beach Public Works Department is currently conducting a 90-day pilot program that allows residents to drop off and recycle their used mattresses in a designated area 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The pilot program will run until Oct. 29, 2024, and aligns with the City’s commitment to environmental sustainability, waste-reduction education and services, while reducing the illegal dumping of mattresses.

“This pilot mattress drop-off program will offer our community more opportunities to responsibly dispose of their used mattresses,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “By offering round-the-clock access, we are making it easier for residents to reduce waste and make a positive environmental impact.”

Long Beach residents can drop their mattresses off at the designated site located at 970 W. Chester Pl., where they will be sorted for collection and taken to a recycling facility. There, they will be cut open and separated into steel, foam, fiber and wood. Over 75 percent of mattress components can be recycled, thus reducing waste and illegal dumping while diverting mattresses from landfills. The City first began promotion of the pilot in late July prior to its launch, followed by social media posts in August.

This new 24/7 pilot program will operate in addition to the monthly drop-off events already hosted by Public Works in collaboration with the Mattress Recycling Council’s Bye Bye Mattress initiative. These events invite residents to drop off their used mattresses the first Saturday of every month between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the same designated site. Through this monthly initiative, Public Works has recycled over 458 mattresses since its launch in April 2023.

“We are hopeful that this free pilot program will help make collection of mattresses more efficient while reducing dumped items in our City,” said Eric Lopez, Director of Public Works.

Approximately 18,000 mattresses are illegally dumped in Long Beach annually. This puts a strain on City resources that can be used for other cleanup efforts, creates blight and often blocks access to the public right of way. The addition of the 24/7 mattress drop-off pilot program will further support the City’s efforts to reduce illegal mattress dumping throughout Long Beach. At the completion of the 90 days, staff will assess the pilot program’s success and determine if the 24/7 service will continue.

 Courtesy: www.wasteadvantage.com