Homelessness and solid waste landfills are two of the biggest challenges that our society faces in middle Tennessee.
But did you know that these two problems can be addressed by just one solution? By recycling mattresses, we can prevent millions of pounds of waste each year and provide employment opportunities for disenfranchised individuals – all while making a positive impact on the environment. In this blog post, we will discuss why recycling mattresses is important, how it benefits the community, and what we can do to support sustainable waste diversion models like Spring Back Recycling.
Firstly, mattresses are a significant contributor of solid waste, and they decompose slowly in a landfill.
Unlike other materials, mattresses take over a decade to decompose. Plus, they are bulky and heavy, making it difficult to dispose of them. However, by recycling mattresses, we prevent them from taking up landfill space and slow decay times. According to research, Spring Back Recycling, a mattress recycling program in middle TN, recycles around 50,000 mattresses annually, which is over 3 million cubic feet of landfill space.
Secondly, recycling mattresses can benefit disenfranchised individuals by providing employment opportunities.
Spring Back Recycling is structured to be a steppingstone for most. People who previously had little to no employment experience can earn a living wage while learning valuable life, professional, and spiritual skills. Thus, mattress recycling programs like Spring Back Recycling are responsible for changing lives and environments.
Thirdly, mattress recycling is beneficial to the environment.
It helps in reducing carbon footprints, conserving resources, and decreasing landfill waste. By recycling a single mattress, we can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an equivalent of 35 pounds. Furthermore, recycling mattresses reduces the need for virgin materials from forests, oil, and other resources.
Fourthly, mattress recycling can help alleviate homelessness.
According to statistics, homelessness is a felony in TN, and housing an inmate costs over $30,000 per year. The same amount can employ one person for an entire year and recycle close to 3,000 mattresses. In summary, mattress recycling programs can sustainably divert waste from landfills, create job opportunities, decrease carbon emissions, conserve resources, and ultimately help address homelessness.
In conclusion, by recycling mattresses, we can solve two major social issues: homelessness and solid waste landfills.
Recycling mattresses not only benefits the environment but also provides employment opportunities and generates income for disenfranchised individuals. With mattress recycling programs like Spring Back Recycling, we can take collective action to sustainably divert waste and create a better planet and community for ourselves and for future generations. It’s time for each one of us to support mattress recycling and contribute to sustainable waste diversion models.
