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SPSA reviews House Bill 86: mattress stewardship would create recycling program funded by point-of-sale fee
Summary
SPSA staff summarized House Bill 86, which would create a mattress stewardship program administered by a Mattress Recycling Organization (likely the Mattress Recycling Council/ISPA), require a retailer-added per-unit fee (estimated $16–$22.50, likely about $20), and set DEQ certification and plan-approval timelines before implementation.
Kyle (presenter) summarized House Bill 86 for the board, explaining the bill creates a mattress stewardship program administered by a certified Mattress Recycling Organization (MRO), likely the Mattress Recycling Council established by the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA). "A little bit of background on the Mattress Recycling Council... they have revenues in excess of $45,000,000," Kyle said, and that the best estimate for the per-unit retail fee would be "around $20" (reported range $16–$22.50 across other states).
Under the bill as described, the MRO would prepare a mattress recycling plan and submit it to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality for approval; timelines in the presentation included an MRO certification request before Jan. 1, 2027, producer/retailer registration by June 1, 2027, and plan submission by July 1, 2027, with the MRO having one year from approval to implement the plan.
Kyle told the board SPSA could not serve as the MRO under the legislation and would instead consider partnering as a collection site at transfer stations or landfill, possibly receiving reimbursement for collection and transport; SPSA could also explore becoming a recycler or partnering with a recycler if viable options exist in Virginia.
Board members asked whether charities that redistribute bedding (e.g., St. Vincent de Paul) would be protected. Kyle said other states list nonprofits as certified recyclers or repurposers in some programs and that repurposing is often recognized; specifics for Virginia will depend on the final plan approved by DEQ and how the MRO defines and certifies collection/repurposing partners.
Kyle and Bagley stressed the bill is modeled on programs in California, Connecticut, Oregon and Rhode Island, and that decisions about participating in the program or charging local fees would depend on contract language and DEQ rules.
