Nashville Mattress Recycling
Yesterday I donated Nolan’s old mattress at Spring Back Recycling, “a non-profit that exists to break down mattresses and build up lives.” I had intended to trash it at a Metro convenience center but when I searched for the address I found a WPLN transcript (NPR) describing Spring Back’s goals of “small business training for formerly incarcerated men and women” and protecting the environment. It was a very easy decision to recycle the mattress instead of disposing of it.
I drove out to Trevecca and found this building with a sign along the road. All the doors were shut and not transparent as most business are. The small door on the right was clearing marked with “54”, the business address. I gave it a big knock and received no answer. Then I stepped in to a lobby and saw an office, break room, and shop area in the back. I retreated, read the sign on the road, and decided to go back in.
I found Ron Harness in the shop building a platform with 2”x4”. Mattresses were everywhere so I should have been given a sign when I asked him if this is where I can recycle a mattress.
Ron was a pleasure to talk to. He explained how every part of the mattress is separated, baled, and sold. There is even a group taking the metal springs and making art from them. He showed me a spring with the top third of a wine bottle sitting in it. It will be filled with wax to create a candle but people are buying them as is.
It costs $10 for each mattress you recycle which I consider to be well worth my money.
Ron was interested where I heard about their company. I didn’t know the source of the article I had read but he described the same one and said that it will be going national on NPR in January. He asked I spread the word and I promised I would blog about my experience.
Local. Helping previously incarcerated, as well as homeless, men & women. Keeping mattresses out of landfills. Spring Back is a company I want to see succeed. Please consider them when you have a mattress you no longer want.