New research highlights stark differences in mattress waste disposal by authorities in Yorkshire

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.

The research revealed significant variation in how councils across the country deal with the 6.4m mattresses thrown away every year in the UK. Figures showed Yorkshire and the Humber to be performing below average for diversion from landfill, with 37.5% of councils in the region using this method (national average 25.1%) and above average for recycling, with 43.8% of councils sending mattress waste to be separated into component parts for reuse (national average 39.9%).

Frontrunners for the region were Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, Sheffield City Council, Wakefield City Council and Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council, sending mattresses for recycling from both household waste recycling centres and doorstep collections. The East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Hull City Council also performed well, both sending mattress waste from household waste recycling centres for recycling. Comparatively, 25% of councils in the region relied solely on landfill as their main method of disposal from both household waste recycling centres and doorstep collections. Incineration (generating energy from waste) was utilised by 43.8% of councils.

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), the trade association representing UK and Irish bed manufacturers and their component suppliers, 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 Yorkshire and The Humber similarly amounted to a postcode lottery, with prices ranging from ‘free of charge’ to up to £37 - with a higher fee not necessarily equating to a greener route to disposal. The average fee for mattress collection across the region was £20.73, sitting just below 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.