Recycling Mystery: Memory Foam
Briefly

Memory foam cannot be broken down into its original plastic polymer form, which limits recycling options. Instead, it can only be shredded for reuse in new products, making the process labor-intensive and costly.
The mattress recycling market is constrained because reclaiming memory foam is time-consuming and expensive due to the need for manual extraction, while virgin polyurethane remains inexpensive.
It's crucial to note that without legislation to support recycling initiatives, memory foam mattresses and pillows will continue to pose disposal challenges as they do not fit easily into current recycling streams.
As the Mattress Recycling Council advocates in states like California and Colorado, legislation can create supportive frameworks for recycling efforts, but without broader participation and awareness, many mattresses will still end up in landfills.
Read at Earth911
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