When it comes to empty cans or bottles, most of us know how easy it is to recycle. But when it comes time to throw out your old bed, did you know you can keep that out of the landfill as well?
Every year, over 30,000 mattresses end up in the landfill – in just the city of Winnipeg alone!
When the MGEU’s Safety, Health and Environment Committee heard of a way to keep all of this foam, fabric and metal out of the ground every year, they decided to investigate for themselves. The Committee took a tour of Mother Earth Recycling’s facility, a Winnipeg-based Indigenous Social Enterprise based in the city’s north end.
“Aside from doing the right thing by keeping all of this waste out of the landfill, our Committee was really impressed with the fact that they are providing some much-needed employment opportunities and training for people in the community,” says Committee Chairperson, and MGEU 4th Vice-President, Charlotte McWilliams.
“It was eye-opening to see how much of a mattress could be salvaged and used for other things. As a Committee, it’s our job to promote environmentally responsible practices within our union, so we’re trying to let members know this option is out there the next time they think about taking a mattress or a box spring to the landfill.”
Mother Earth
charges $15 per piece to recycle mattresses and box springs, just a few dollars
more than it costs to take it to the dump. To learn more about this initiative
and the other items that can be recycled (including electronic waste), visit motherearthrecycling.ca.