Say Goodnight to Unsustainable Bedding
Participate in the Bedding Stewardship Scheme
The Australian bedding industry is taking responsibility for diverting more mattresses from landfill and finding solutions to end-of-life mattress materials.
“An industry-led stewardship approach is one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways to reduce a product’s impact on the environment and human health,” The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Environment and Water, 8 November 2022.
Participants
Mattress importers, manufacturers, retailers and onliners can apply to participate in the Bedding Stewardship Scheme and take accountability of diverting more mattresses and mattress materials from landfill, creating new products from recovered mattress materials and establishing a mattress recycling network across Australia.
Participating mattress importers, manufacturers, retailers and onliners pass through the product stewardship fee on each new mattress sold into the Australian market. This fee enables the ABSC, on behalf of the bedding industry, to invest in research and development to get more materials out of landfill, consumer education and awareness and build the commercial viability of mattress recycling in Australia.
This is an industry-led stewardship approach and increasing industry participation is a priority.
Participation commitments
Eligible applicants (mattress importers, manufacturers, retailers and onliners) must accept pass through of the product stewardship fee on each new mattress sold in Australia and abide by the Scheme Guidelines and the ABSC Code of Conduct.
How to apply
- Contact us for a copy of the Scheme Guidelines and ABSC Code of Conduct.
- Download and read the Participant Application form and Action Plan template.
- Return the completed application form, action plan and signed copy of the ABSC Code of Conduct via email.
- The ABSC team will review the participation application and contact the applicant if further information is required.
Participation benefits
In addition to the core benefit of being supported as a steward and a leader in the bedding industry, the ABSC team will support new participants with:
- Product Stewardship Fee administration support
- use of the ASBC logo and brand guidelines
- use of Scheme marketing collateral and training materials
- promotion benefits through ABSC communications, website, social media, marketing collateral and PR opportunities
- network opportunities with other industry participants and ABSC members
- opportunity to be involved in research and innovation projects
- ABSC membership
- voting rights and Board election opportunities at AGM Meeting
- participation at member meetings to learn about industry and circular economy insights
ABSC Membership categories
1. Participating importers, manufacturers and retailers that pass through the product stewardship fee.
2. Bedding supply chain such as foam, textile, timber and steel suppliers. Annual membership fees are based on annual Australian turnover from bedding category products. Membership fee table is provided in the application form.
3. Associate members can include: component recyclers (such as carpet underlay manufacturers and scrap metal recyclers), local and state Government, commercial and health accommodation sectors, research institutes, associations, charitable and sustainability organisations. No membership fee.
Membership commitments
To become a supply chain or associate member of the ABSC, applicants must agree to abide by the Scheme Guidelines and the ABSC Code of Conduct.
How to apply for membership
- Contact us for a copy of the Scheme Guidelines and ABSC Code of Conduct.
- Download the relevant application form:
• Supply Chain Application Form
• Associate Membership Application Form - Return the completed application form and signed copy of the ABSC Code of Conduct via email.
- The ABSC team will review the application and contact the applicant if further information is required.
Membership benefits
Membership determinations are made by the ABSC Board on recommendation from the ABSC. Membership is confirmed through a welcome letter.
In addition to the core benefit of demonstrating your commitment to sustainability in the bedding industry the ABSC team will support members with:
- use of the ASBC logo and brand guidelines
- promotion benefits through ABSC communications, website, social media, marketing collateral and PR opportunities
- network opportunities with industry participants and ABSC members
- opportunity to be involved in research and innovation projects
- participation at quarterly member meetings to learn about industry and circular economy insights
Frequently Asked Questions
Consumer, employee and community expectations for business to take environmental and social responsibility are rising. Becoming a Scheme participant demonstrates industry accountability and environmental and social responsibility. Additional participation benefits include:
- Access to Scheme marketing collateral and training materials
- Use of the ASBC logo and brand materials
- Promotion of your participation on the ABSC website, social media and marketing collateral and PR opportunities
- Network opportunities with other industry participants and ABSC members
- Opportunity to be involved in research and innovation projects
- Tier 1 ABSC membership
- Voting rights and Board election opportunities at AGM Meeting
- Participation at quarterly member meetings to learn about industry and circular economy insights
The aggregated Product Stewardship Fee (PSF) and ABSC membership fees will be spent on:
- facilitation of end-of-life mattress landfill diversion solutions and commercial opportunities
- research and development for material reuse and new markets to achieve environmental outcomes and reduce the cost of recycling
- raising awareness through marketing and PR to increase participation by industry and consumers
- growing the mattress recycling network in metro and regional areas
- scheme administration
In future we will explore the potential of recycler rebates and adding bedding products such as bed bases to the scheme.
- Market share of Australian bedding manufacturers and retailers becoming participating members and passing through the Product Stewardship Fee (PSF)
- Increased recovery of mattresses
- Increased recovery of materials from mattresses
- Reduced reliance on landfill
- Easier and more convenient access to ABSC approved recycling services
- Increased sustainable employment opportunities
- Increased community awareness
- Raised consumer understanding and education on environmental sustainability
Quarterly newsletters will provide progress updates and quarterly online member meetings will provide the opportunity for discussion on progress opportunities, challenges and related industry news and trends. The ABSC team will also send targeted emails when there are specific issues or news to be shared.
The ABSC regularly updates its LinkedIn profile here.
The ABSC will provide public reporting on the operation and performance of the scheme during our period of authorisation and publish an annual report. For further detail on the reporting requirements of the scheme authorisation please refer to the ACCC Authorisation Final Determination Australian Bedding Stewardship Council | ACCC
ABSC welcomes any opportunity to promote our scheme, our vision, mission, and objectives. You will be provided with marketing collateral that you can use for campaigns and promotions with your member login. We are very happy to discuss collaborations on campaigns specific to your business also. While we must remain impartial, we celebrate those organisations that are engaged and are on the journey to drive circularity within their own business and industry.