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Our work: Rebound mattress recycling

By Kiri Speirs on July 31st, 2018 in Consumer goods, Product Stewardship, Work
3R rebound mattress recycling project

Aim: Work with industry, councils and landfill operators to provide a simple and accessible solution to divert mattresses from landfill, reduce illegal dumping and recover recyclable materials

The problem

It is estimated nearly 300,000 mattresses and bases are sent to landfill every year in New Zealand. When stacked one on top of another, they would reach the edge of space! We’re working with industry to change that.

International recycling programmes and our own recycling trials show that we could potentially recycle approximately 90% of mattress materials. An average mattress is made of steel springs and wood (both 100% recyclable), polyurethane foam which can be recycled into foam carpet underlay, coir – a natural product from coconut fibre with various reuse options – and textiles (currently non-recyclable).

A mattress recycling programme could divert up to 2,000,000 kilograms of metal and 3,000,000 of foam, timber and coir from landfill.

The solution

Explore the opportunity of creating an industry-led, best practice design voluntary product stewardship scheme.


What did we do?

  • We Brought together diverse industry and other stakeholders to discuss the issues and possible solutions
  • We Designed a product stewardship model to collect unwanted mattresses and recover recyclable material from them
  • We secured funding to run a trial
  • We completed a trial as proof of concept

How did we do it?

  • We Researched overseas experiences and added New Zealand specific insights to inform an action plan
  • We Collaborated with manufacturers, importers and retailers on how a system could work
  • We Consulted with stakeholders such as the waste industry and local councils to gain insight of the problem from their perspective

Where to next

Our trial proved mattress recycling is viable in New Zealand.

Recently, one bedding company, Andoo, has partnered with All Heart NZ to run a take back recycling programme for their mattresses.

We’d love to see more of industry jump on board to create a true product stewardship scheme for their sector. So that together, we can solve the problem of so many mattresses ending up in landfill.

Read our guide to product stewardship

Previous 3R Plastic types can be confusing

Put an end to packaging confusion

Next 3R Group Chief Executive Adele Rose

A circular future with stewardship at the centre

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ISO 14001:2015

Environmental management systems and safe work practices.

ISO 14001:2015 is an internationally recognised standard that certifies our commitment to environmental management systems and safe work practices.

Consistent with our environmental policy, the intended outcomes of our environmental management system include:

  • The enhancement of environmental performance;
  • The fulfilment of compliance obligations;
  • The achievement of environmental objectives.

Our ISO 14001:2015 certification includes 3R Operations, the Paint Product Stewardship Programmes, ChemCollect Service and the SeatSmart Child Car Seat Recycling Programme (owned and operated by 3R).

This certification is audited by TELARC.

ISO 45001:2018

Keeping our people safe, healthy and happy.

ISO 45001:2018 certification has been chosen to demonstrate the importance we place in caring for our people as we bring to life our values of Kaitiakitanga and Manaakitanga.

Keeping our team safe, healthy and happy is a primary focus for our business. We feel that the work our operations staff do makes this particularly important. Their responsibilities can include collecting and processing paint; collecting chemicals; driving trucks around the country; and getting hands-on with work wherever needed.

3R received ISO 45001:2018 certification in 2021. The ISO 45001:2018 certificate is valid for 3 years and includes annual surveillance audits which provide a valuable framework for further growth.

What is a circular economy?

New Zealand is “one of the highest generators of waste per person in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)”. The way we currently produce and manage our waste is not sustainable.

The current economy in New Zealand is linear: this equates to a process of take-make-use-dispose. The aim of the government is to move towards a circular economy.

A circular economy can refer to either biological or technical materials.

With biological materials, the cycle could be defined as make-consume-enrich. In this cycle waste returns to the environment and enriches the land.

A technical materials cycle may be more like make-use-return. In a technical materials cycle waste is repurposed and used to make something new.

Whether you need help with biological materials, technical materials, or both; 3R can partner with your business to assess your current waste, then help you reduce it.