ISPA Sponsors Competition To Develop Products From Recycled Mattresses

Furniture World Magazine

The International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) is a lead sponsor for a competition organized by non-profit organizations Rubicon National Social Innovations and Architecture for Humanity to develop new products that can be made from used mattress components. The competition is open to practicing product designers, design students and any one else that is interested. One of the difficulties with recycling used mattress components is finding good markets for the reclaimed materials. The competition’s organizers hope that contestants will propose innovative ideas that could make better use of recycled mattress materials, and that these new products might generate more revenues for disposal facilities, making them more profitable to run. They also want to raise consumer and public awareness about mattress disposal in particular, and recycling in general. To pay for prizes and to offset some overhead costs associated with hosting this competition, Rubicon wants to raise $5,000 from sponsors. “We at ISPA think this is a very creative idea that supports the mattress industry’s sustainability initiative,” noted ISPA Executive Vice President Ryan Trainer. “For this reason, we have signed on as the lead sponsor for this cause. We invite others in the mattress manufacturing and retailing community to support this truly worthwhile initiative.” Program sponsors will be identified in the online and other promotional materials for the competition, where they can provide a link to their corporate Website. For more information, please contact either Ryan Trainer, 703-683-8371, rtrainer@sleepproducts.org. Established in 1915, the International Sleep Products Association is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the growth, profitability and stature of the mattress manufacturing industry. ISPA represents over 700 mattress manufacturers and their suppliers throughout the world.