Rhode Island Senate passes mattress recycling bill

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Rhode Island Senate approved mattress recycling legislation this week on a 37-0 vote. ekonglong office cubicle

The legislation is the result of months of negotiations between legislators in the state and officials of the International Sleep Products Assn.

The Rhode Island bill is similar to Connecticut legislation signed into law last month and allows for the creation of an industry-led nonprofit organization to set and collect a consumer fee to fund mattress recycling. The bill also limits government involvement in the program and avoids government mandates to meet arbitrary recycling goals, ISPA officials said.

The bill now goes to the Rhode Island House. ISPA said it expects the House to consider the bill in the next several weeks.