Mattress Recycling Continued...

While doing the recycling research, I also stumbled across information about batteries. I had never given much thought to where my batteries went after I threw them away. I read that batteries are made of heavy metals and other elements. Some of these toxic heavy metals include nickel cadmium, alkaline, mercury, nickel metal hydride and lead acid. It is these toxic heavy metals that threaten our environment if batteries are not properly discarded. I found that there was a collection site in my town for batteries.

A mattress can contain from six to eight pounds of polyurethane. Polyurethane has a high material recycle value. Polyurethane that is collected from mattress recycling can be used in the making of varnish, glue, wheels, furniture, car seats, art, homes, surfboards and even condoms. Each mattress that is donated for mattress recycling will save up to twenty three cubic feet of landfill space. So much more landfill space can be saved if more people shopping for new mattresses were educated about mattress recycling during their buying process.

Asking people to turn in their used mattresses when they are purchasing a new mattress sounds like it might be an odd idea. Consumers are asked to pay special fees when they get the oil changed in their cars. This is a hazardous material disposal fee. Car tires are subject to the same type of required disposal charge.

Mattress recycling should not be optional. Household sources of hazardous wastes include some paints, solvents, cleaners, batteries, pesticides, prescription drugs, and mercury from broken thermometers. Local waste disposal systems and landfill operators may refuse these items. Landfill operators monitor the site to make sure soil or groundwater is not contaminated as a result of their disposal.

The centers that are opening for mattress recycling have been good, so far, at identifying a steady market for all of the recycled mattress material. The centers are able to sell the foam, steel and cotton fibers. The foam is in the most demand because it is used for carpet padding.

The polyurethane industry uses more than nine hundred million tons of flexible polyurethane foam scrap. Mattress recycling is making a difference in conserving landfill space. The same centers that accept mattresses are also taking in used couches in some locations.

I am glad that are more educational programs being put into place every year to educate children about the environment and recycling. It is important to know how many things that we consider disposable can be reused or recycled. I am glad that I started looking into mattress recycling because I learned so many things that I did not previously know.

Ella Morgan is a publisher of ArticleClick.com. To submit articles and find free articles for your websites visit www.ArticleClick.com.

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Title:	Mattress Recycling Continued...
Author:	Ella Morgan
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Mattress Recycling Continued...