Glenmore Landfill to begin recycling mattresses

The Glenmore Landfill will be recycling mattresses beginning June 1.

While the landfill has always accepted mattresses, this is a new program to break-down and recycle various parts of these items. Beginning on June 1, residents disposing of a mattress or mattresses will be directed to a specific location at the landfill and charged a handling fee of $12.50 per mattress to cover the cost of processing.

Mattresses are a challenge to dispose of because they “float” to the top of the landfill face even after being buried. The mattress springs can wrap around moving parts of the landfill’s compaction machinery causing damage to the equipment.

“A mattress takes up a significant amount of air space, no matter how much compression is applied, and there is extra work involved to ensure these items are appropriately managed in the landfill,” says Ken Muller, Landfill Supervisor. “By breaking apart the mattresses and recycling what we can, these items will take up less space, which helps to prolong the life of the landfill.”

The Glenmore Landfill is located at 1595 Glenmore Road North. The facility is open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

For more information about the Glenmore Landfill, visit kelowna.ca/waste.