Mattresses in landfills are a huge problem. Their springy coiled springs make for a comfortable night’s sleep, but when disposed of, take up a lot of valuable landfill space.
Back in 2008, NRRI got involved in Goodwill Industries’ effort to deconstruct and recycle old mattresses in Duluth. Finding markets for the separated cotton, shoddy material and steel was the focus of NRRI’s effort.
And the steel was a particular challenge. But it also provides the most monetary value in the old mattresses.
How to get the spring out of the springs? NRRI engineers worked with a local entrepreneur to develop a first-of-its-kind Coil Spring Compactor, made specifically to densify mattress springs into a 60 pound rectangular bale that meets steel recycling requirements. True North Goodwill purchased the prototype baler back in 2009 and has since recycled more than 3,000 tons of mattress steel.
“Since the inception of our mattress recycling program, we’ve deconstructed over 320,000 mattresses and box springs,” said Dylan Olson, True North Goodwill’s director of facilities and transportation. “The program is a great success and we’re ready to expand it even more.”
Mattress recycling might not be what first comes to mind when people think of Goodwill Industries. This century-old organization is known for its popular thrift stores that also provides work for thousands of people with employment barriers.
“This program started to fill a need to keep mattresses out of landfills,” explained Scott Vezina, True North Goodwill’s director of community engagement. “But it aligns with our goals of environmental stewardship and revenue diversification.”
The dollar value of steel fluctuates depending on market conditions, averaging around $300 per ton. This revenue allows Goodwill to train and hire people in this growing program.
And to be clear, True North Goodwill does not want people dropping off mattresses at any of their locations. The mattresses are collected and shipped from waste transfer stations across six counties in northern Minnesota. They are currently recycling around 13,000 to 15,000 a year.
A recent infusion of a $350,000 grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will allow Goodwill to purchase a new spring steel compactor to replace the aging Coil Spring Compactor, a new box spring shear, and a shredder specifically designed for shredding pocket coil mattress. The new equipment will be installed in an expanded 65,000 square foot facility in Duluth’s Gary-New Duluth neighborhood, expected to open in Spring 2026.
When NRRI got involved in the mattress recycling effort back in 2008 it was a nascent industry with very few operations to emulate. Minnesota now has three recycling operations, while nationally it’s hard to get an exact number. The International Sleep Products Association maintains a list of 40 mattress recycling centers in North America, but some estimates are much higher.
And while this industry continues to evolve and grow, NRRI’s early effort in this space is recognized as a catalyst for Goodwill’s success.
“Mattress recycling reduces landfill use, generates revenue and creates jobs,” added Vezina. “It’s the ultimate win-win.”
PHOTO TOP: A Goodwill worker loads mattress springs into the original Coil Spring Compactor in April, 2025. This will soon be replaced with a new compactor and a second specially designed to compact pocket springs.