TRENTON, NJ – A new proposal in the State Legislature would require mattress manufacturers, renovators, and retailers doing business in New Jersey to join a statewide stewardship program designed to recycle and properly dispose of discarded mattresses.
The bill directs producers to participate in an approved “mattress stewardship organization,” which would manage the collection, recycling, and environmentally responsible processing of used mattresses across the state.
Sponsors say the measure aims to reduce illegal dumping and landfill waste while ensuring that consumers and retailers share responsibility for sustainable mattress disposal.
Manufacturers and retailers to join stewardship network
Under the proposed law, every mattress producer selling products in New Jersey must register with a mattress stewardship organization authorized by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). That organization would be required to submit a detailed stewardship plan to the DEP outlining how discarded mattresses will be collected, recycled, and managed.
Retailers and mattress renovators would also be obligated to register with the program and comply with its standards. One year after the bill takes effect, no mattress could be sold in New Jersey unless its producer, retailer, or renovator is enrolled in a stewardship organization.
The legislation requires retailers to purchase mattresses only from registered producers and to collect and remit a “stewardship assessment” — a fee supporting mattress recycling efforts. Retailers could alternatively cover this cost themselves if they enter into an agreement to pay the fee directly to the stewardship organization.
DEP oversight and penalties for noncompliance
The Department of Environmental Protection would maintain and publish an online list of all compliant producers, retailers, and renovators. Entities found to be selling mattresses outside the program would face fines of up to $1,000 per violation, with each day of noncompliance counting as a separate offense.
By July 1 of the year the program launches — and annually thereafter — each stewardship organization would be required to submit a performance report to the DEP evaluating its progress. Within 90 days of receiving the first report, the department would set an annual fee to cover its administrative and enforcement costs.
Future annual fees would be assessed each spring, and all penalties and fees collected would be deposited into a newly created “Mattress Stewardship Fund.”
If enacted, the law would place New Jersey among a growing number of states adopting product stewardship programs to divert bulky waste like mattresses from landfills and ensure producers take financial responsibility for end-of-life recycling.
Key Points
- Bill mandates mattress manufacturers, renovators, and retailers to join a DEP-approved stewardship organization.
- Retailers must collect or pay a recycling fee and provide information on mattress disposal options.
- Violations could result in daily fines of up to $1,000, with funds supporting the Mattress Stewardship Fund.
