Dive Brief:

• Recyc-Mattresses Corp., which runs a state-mandated mattress recycling program in Connecticut, faces 19 OSHA workplace safety violations at its facility in East Hartford, CT. The company — which accepts 700 to 1,000 mattresses a day — was cited for having an insufficient sprinkler system and creating a fire hazard by stacking mattresses outside that blocked the fire exit, among other violations.
• Fire Marshal William Cink and town officials visited the facility when a neighboring business complained. Journal Inquirer reported that this is Cink’s fourth visit to Recyc-Mattresses Corp., either in response to complaints or to inspect it.
• The company must pay the $27,000 fine by Nov. 18 or the fine will double.

Dive Insight:

Recyc-Mattresses recycling program, like other government-mandated programs of its kind, is intended to show stewardship, or practice safe operations for workers and the community at large.  The Product Stewardship Institute has released “how to” guidelines on recycling mattresses to communicate the importance of recycling discarded mattresses and educating on how to do it responsibly.

Hartford Mayor Marcia Leclerc mirrored the stewardship program’s intention and concept of responsibility when speaking of Recyc-Mattresses: "This is not the manner in which our planning zone committee approved [the recycling protocol] … In a relatively short time they have proven they are not compliant and have no regard for the town of East Hartford or the neighboring businesses … The company is supposed to be a positive for the community."

Some of the issues, Cink said, may be attributed to the fact that the mattress recycling industry is new, with the mattress stewardship law taking effect May 1.

In explaining the mattress pile up, Recyc-Mattresses President Eric Castro said the facility was behind with the mattresses because of machinery breakdowns. He claims it's a good system and they are ultimately doing good for the community.