Nabilla Zayan and Rebecca Prince-Ruiz from WMRC getting excited about mattress recycling.
Camera IconNabilla Zayan and Rebecca Prince-Ruiz from WMRC getting excited about mattress recycling. Credit: Supplied/Andrew Ritchie

New spring in step of mattress recycling method

Staff ReporterWestern Suburbs Weekly

‘Some people may not have the space to store an old mattress before the next verge collection, and we often find them dumped in bush, so this is a responsible way of disposing of mattresses,’ WMRC sustainability manager Nabilla Zayan said.

About 165,000 mattresses are thrown out in Perth each year but only 12.9 per cent are recycled, with the remainder ending up in landfill, where they take up space.

Since last week, mattresses delivered at the station will be taken to a Bibra Lake factory to be recycled.

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Ms Zayan said the wood would be used to make planter boxes, metal springs would be compressed for use in Chinese manufacturing or in the planter boxes for plants to climb, and the foam would be baled and sent to Melbourne for underlay.

Recycling a mattress costs $15. The station is also a collection point for batteries, fluorescent lights, computers, TVs, scrap metal, ink cartridges, mobile telephones, cardboard, plastic, paint and motor oil. Visit www.wmrc.wa.gov.au.