What do used mattresses and electric vehicle batteries have in common?
A new project funded by the Mattress Recycling Council suggests that recycled mattress textiles could be used to make electrodes in the lithium batteries used to power electric vehicles.
Designed for a dreamy night’s sleep, our pre-loved mattresses present an environmental nightmare globally. In the UK alone, an estimated 8 million mattresses are thrown away annually, with the vast majority going straight to landfill; fly tipping is another area of concern, with mattresses among the most illegally dumped items.
The National Bed Federation has revealed that currently, approximately 19% of mattresses are recycled. The recycling of textiles is particularly challenging, and it is even more difficult to recycle mattresses – largely because of the springs!
Have researchers in Kansas found a solution? Led by Dr. Ram Gupta, following a successful three-year study, researchers at the National Institute for Materials Advancement at Pittsburg State University have said that recycled mattress textiles can be transformed into the conductive carbon materials used in lithium-sulphur rechargeable batteries found in electric vehicles.
An environmental headache, Gupta’s team has considered that not only can a mattress, in the most part, be recycled, but its textiles can be utilised whilst there is a shortage of suitable carbon feedstock used for making electrodes. Two birds, one stone – this may reduce the volume of mattresses to landfill and make use of recycled materials to support more sustainable transport solutions. Considering the growing popularity of electric vehicles, whilst complex, this relatively inexpensive and clean solution may fulfil current and any emerging needs.
Director of Operations at Wyndham Resources, Steve Watts, comments:
“This is a really exciting piece of news and we all welcome seeing how this can develop and what innovation follows to guide the waste industry into the future so we can fully re-use or re-purpose as much waste as possible”.
The Mattress Recycling Council has documented that approximately 75% of a mattress can be recycled, and the benefits are clear – mattress recycling can reduce carbon/greenhouse gases and lower energy consumption. To further support the case for mattress recycling, on-going research projects seek to find new markets for recycled mattresses, to increase the percentage that can be recycled and increase the environmental benefits of recycling such textile goods.
Currently, the largely unregulated mattress recycling sector is trying to self-regulate. However, the National Bed Federation has introduced a code of practice and accreditation system for approved waste management companies and hopes to divert 75% of new mattresses sold from landfill by 2028.
It’s a huge change in customer mindset and Wyndham Resources are proud to support the responsible recycling of new and used mattresses.
You can read the full report: https://mattressrecyclingcouncil.org/rechargeable-batteries-can-use-mattress-materials/
Wyndham Resources if your partner in recycling today, working together for a greener tomorrow.
Discover sustainable waste management with Wyndham Resources – contact: operations@wyndhamresources.co.uk
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