Winning Design From Recycled Mattresses

Ever wonder how in the world we could recycle millions of old, discarded mattresses every year? The Discarded Dreams design contest asked that question and has just announced the winners with the most innovative, environmentally friendly recycled mattress design.

Helix of Emeryville, CA won first place in the design contest, recycling mattresses into acoustical panels. The recycled panels are designed to be used as office dividers or soundproofing panels, taking advantage of the natural noise dampening materials found in mattresses. The panels are also naturally fire retardant and mold/mildew resistant.

Sponsored by Keetsa Mattress and the International Sleep Products Association, Discarded Dreams was created to encourage innovative recycling of old mattresses, reusing both the mattress and box spring materials for new products.

The design contest required that the new designs contain at least 80% recycled mattress material and no virgin material. Rubicon National Social Innovations intends to test the new designs in a new mattress recycling facility opening in San Jose, CA.