Spring Into Action

Mattresses heading to landfill can now be recycled after Mareeba Shire Council partnered with a local community organisation to keep the circular economy moving.

The Endeavour Foundation’s Far North Queensland-first initiative will save space in the landfill while creating jobs for people with an intellectual disability.

Mayor Angela Toppin said residents can dispose of unwanted mattresses for $28 each at a Council transfer station, and then Council will pay the Endeavour Foundation to take the mattresses and strip them down and recycle as much of the material as possible.

“This is a wonderful partnership between Council and the Endeavour Foundation,” Cr Toppin said.

“People may not realise that most components of a mattress can be recycled, which diverts these large bulky items from landfill.”

More than 75% of all mattress components, including the steel springs and foam can be recycled.

Mayor Toppin said Council also hopes that the initiative would reduce the number of matrasses illegally dumped on the roadside and in bushland across the Shire.