Old mattresses are bulky and hard to move. They can also be a pain to throw out. But a program aimed

Old mattresses are bulky and hard to move. They can also be a pain to throw out. But a program aimed at recycling those old mattresses and boxsprings appears to be filling a much-needed void in the state.

The Mattress Recycling Council, the group running the state’s recycling program, said in its latest annual report that it collected more than 180,000 mattresses last year.

“That equates to nearly 3,000 tons of material,” said Amanda Wall, who runs the MRC’s marketing and communications. “We are above … what we’ve done in previous years.”

Average numbers are up to about 15,000 mattresses recycled per month, according to the report.

The recycling program is funded through a small surcharge when you buy a mattress or box spring.

Since its beginning in Connecticut about four years ago, the Mattress Recycling Program has diverted almost half a million mattresses from the state’s trash, Wall said.

To find a spot to recycle an old mattress or boxspring, visit ByeByeMattress.com.

(Image Credit: Creative Commons / Dean Hochman)