Budget Amendment ID: FY2018-S3-783

ENV 783

Mattress Disposal Study Commission

Ms. Donoghue, Mr. deMacedo and Ms. Gobi moved that the proposed new text be amended By inserting, after section __, the following new section:-

“SECTION __. There shall be a special commission to study the financial and environmental impacts of disposal and end-of-life management of mattresses and associated foundations on municipalities of the commonwealth. The commission shall examine existing mattress management options, including recycling and disposal infrastructure, and make recommendations on policies and programs to increase mattress reuse and recycling, and to mitigate the financial and environmental costs of managing said materials.

The commission shall review all aspects of mattress disposal and end-of-life management including, but not limited to: (i) availability of local management options; (ii) costs and burdens of existing options to taxpayers and municipalities; (iii) programs and policies of local and state government that promote proper diversion of mattresses and reduce costs; (iv) opportunities to increase additional community impacts for chronically unemployed populations through preferred partnerships with nonprofit social enterprises operating mattress recycling; and (v) programs and policies utilized in other states.

The commission shall consist of the following members: the commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, or his/her designee; 2 members of the senate, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader; 2 members of the house, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader; and 2 persons to be appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall have experience in integrated materials management and waste management;  a representative of MASSRECYCLE; a representative of the International Sleep Products Association or the Mattress Recycling Council; a representative of the Products Stewardship Institute; and a representative from a Massachusetts-based mattress recycling social enterprise program.

The commission shall file a report of its findings and recommendations with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the chairs of the senate and house committees on ways and means, and the chairs of the joint committee on environment, natural resources and agriculture by no later than March 1, 2018.”