Advocacy in Action: Representing Our Members in South Australia’s Circular Transition

The Australian Bedding Stewardship Council (ABSC) provided a joint submission to the South Australian EPA regarding the “Beyond recycling: Moving SA towards a circular economy” discussion paper. Working alongside Soft Landing, Bounce Back, and the Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR), we have been advocating on your behalf to ensure the bedding industry’s voice is central to the state’s legislative future.

We would like to thank the EPA for acknowledging our contribution. It is a positive step to see mattresses specifically mentioned within the context of the Waste to Resources Environment Protection Policy (W2R EPP) modernisation, as well as the overwhelming support (84% of submissions) for a landfill mattress ban. While the EPA must currently prioritise various “burning platforms,” having our sector recognised in these early stages is essential progress for our members and approved recyclers.

Strategic Analysis for Future Readiness

The ABSC understands the need for staged reforms. To support the government’s eventual decision-making regarding a mattress landfill ban, we are proactively preparing the evidence-based groundwork required to make that transition viable.

Our current data suggests that in South Australia, as many as 110,000 mattresses collected within a serviceable radius of Adelaide are likely ending up in landfill each year. This represents a significant missed opportunity for our approved recyclers and a challenge for our industry members committed to stewardship.

Our Calls to Action: Advocacy on Your Behalf

To move from acknowledgement to action, the ABSC is championing three key priorities to support our membership and the recycling network:

1. Partnership for a Mattress Materials Flow Analysis
We are advocating to complete a comprehensive mattress materials flow analysis for South Australia in partnership with the SA EPA and Green Industries SA (GISA). This study will provide the baseline “stocks and flows” data necessary to prove the feasibility of a landfill ban and justify future infrastructure investment.

2. Identifying Gaps in Recycler Capacity and Service Coverage
The ABSC is focused on providing a SA-specific view of recycler capacity, covering both metropolitan and regional areas. We are highlighting the need for scalable capacity to ensure that when a ban is implemented, our authorised recyclers are supported by adequate collection equipment and processing technology.

3. Mandating Stewardship in Procurement and Harmonising Standards
We are calling for the South Australian Government to lead by example by mandating product stewardship participation for all government bedding procurement. Additionally, we continue to push for nationally harmonised resource recovery definitions to ensure a level playing field and prevent regulatory loopholes that undermine legitimate recycling efforts.

The ABSC remains committed to ensuring that as South Australia moves toward a circular economy, the transition is evidence-based, supported by robust infrastructure, and recognises the vital role of our members and approved recyclers.

Dive into the detail:

Link to ABSC submission: SA EPA Circular Economy Submission

Link to SA EPA’s Summary of Submissions and Response Report: yoursay.sa.gov.au (Section 4.10 directly addresses mattresses)

Link to SA EPA document: Beyond recycling: Moving SA towards a more circular economy yoursay.sa.gov.au

Find the final version of the SA Waste Strategy 2025 – 2030 here: greenindustries.sa.gov.au