Spring into action for recycling

A new program to shred old mattresses will save almost 23 cubic metres of landfill space across the Moreton Bay Region and allow people to take their mattresses to the Redcliffe Transfer Station again.

Councillor Karl Winchester (Div 6) says the Redcliffe waste transfer station has been unable to accept mattresses since mid-2019 due to the size of the bulky items.

“This tender will see this important service return to Redcliffe, and address some of the issues we’ve seen in our community around some people doing the wrong thing illegally dumping mattresses,” Cr Winchester says.

Under the program, CDS Recycling will shred the mattresses and collect the steel for recycling.

It currently costs Council about $6 million a year to dispose of mattresses in landfill, but the shredding deal will slash costs to about $3.5 million.

Mayor Peter Flannery says dumping mattresses in landfill poses a big problem for the region’s tips.

“With all that foam, they can take up much-needed space for other waste, absorb leachate and turn into a fire hazard with oxygen seeping in,” Mayor Flannery says.

Boost for the environment

“With this program, the springs and other recyclable materials that make up beds can now be recovered and re-used, instead of ending up in landfill.”

Councillor Sandra Ruck (Div 5) says the new program will mean people can dispose and recycle their mattresses together with e-waste, timber and metal at the Redcliffe waste transfer station free of charge.

“By recycling our old mattresses, it will reduce the amount of landfill required by an estimated 22,900m3 - which is huge news for … the long-term life of our facilities,” Cr Ruck says.

Deputy Mayor and Division 4 Councillor Jodie Shipway, whose community uses the Dakabin tip, says the introduction of the program followed a recent trial.

“The trial alone saw close to 9000 mattresses shredded and recycled, recovering 94 tonnes of steel - that’s the equivalent of close to 100 cars’ worth,” Cr Shipway says.

“With the average mattress containing about 10kg of reusable steel, there’s a huge opportunity not just for reducing waste but for industry too.”

Division 10 Councillor Matt Constance says the deal will save ratepayers about $2.8 million in landfill costs.

“The volume required for a mattress in landfill (will) potentially be reduced by up to 97.5 per cent,” he said.

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