Hawthorne mattress recycling program reports higher participation; most mattresses are recycled

Hawthorne Transfer Station’s mattress recycling program has grown substantially since its 2016 pilot, collecting roughly 700 mattresses per month in 2025 and a total of about 8,300 units for the year, HWMA staff said at the board meeting.

The presenter described the program’s evolution: a 2017 baling pilot intended to reduce shipping costs ended in 2019 because baling reduced the amount that processing facilities could recycle. "The original pilot program rolled out in 2016," the presenter said, and "since 2020, [HWMA] has continued to accept mattresses from residents and commercial customers 7 days a week at no charge." Staff said only about 5% of mattresses are now deemed too wet or contaminated to recycle.

Board members asked several operational and policy questions. Director Madril asked whether staff could measure how much illegal dumping the program has reduced; HWMA staff said the authority did not separately measure illegally disposed mattresses before the program and therefore cannot supply a baseline. The presenter provided an annual diversion figure for 2025: "So for that, it's around 400,000 pounds," which staff said represents mattresses diverted from landfill this year.

Directors and staff also discussed outreach and partnerships with mattress retailers. HWMA staff said mattress sellers were contacted early in the program and that education and drop‑off convenience likely contributed to higher participation. The presentation noted the program’s intent to be cost‑neutral under existing law, though staff acknowledged occasional labor or disposal costs that the authority has absorbed and said they would return with a precise annual cost breakdown.

The board did not take further action on the mattress item at the meeting; staff said they are available to provide follow‑up information on diversion metrics, program costs and outreach strategies.