Questions and Answers about Annual Reporting

Applicable statutory requirements can be found in the Used Mattress Recovery and Recycling Act (Chapter 21)

Regulatory requirements can be found in the California Code of Regulations (CCR) Sections 18959-18971 

Who is required to report?

All mattress renovators, all mattress recyclers, and solid waste facilities that accept used mattresses under their normal operating conditions, as defined in Public Resources Code (PRC) Section 42986, regardless of whether or not they contract with the Mattress Recycling Council (MRC) are required to annually report information regarding the renovation, recycling, and/or disposal of used mattresses and foundations/box springs.  See definitions of renovators, recyclers, and solid waste facilities below:

“Recycler” means a person that engages in the manual or mechanical separation of mattresses to substantially recover components and commodities contained in mattresses for the purpose of reuse or recycling.

“Renovator” means a person who renovates used mattresses for the purpose of sale, or offering for sale, in this state.

“Solid waste facility” means, for purposes of this chapter, a solid waste facility as defined in Section 40194 (includes a solid waste transfer or processing station, a composting facility, a gasification facility, a transformation facility, an EMSW conversion facility, and a disposal facility. For purposes of Part 5 (commencing with Section 45000), “solid waste facility” additionally includes a solid waste operation that may be carried out pursuant to an enforcement agency notification, as provided in regulations adopted by the department) that accepts, under its normal operating conditions, used mattresses for collection, storing, and handling, whether for recycling or disposal.

Why do I have to report?

The California Used Mattress Recovery and Recycling Act mandates that all mattress recyclers, renovators, and solid waste facilities, as defined by PRC Section 42986, must submit an annual report to CalRecycle by May 1st each year. The annual reports must meet the requirements listed in regulations, which includes contact information and quantitative information (outlined below).  The reports are required by statute and regulations and will be used by CalRecycle and the mattress stewardship organization to assess the program and establish and update mattress recycling goals for the state.

What do I have to report?

Recyclers must report the number of units (mattresses or foundations) received (from California sources and out-of-state sources) and recycled or sent out of California to be recycled or other method of disposition. Recyclers will also be asked to report the quantities and weights of constituent parts recycled.

Renovators must report the number of units (mattresses or foundations) received (from California sources and out-of-state sources) and renovated or sent out of California to be renovated or other method of disposition. Renovators will also be asked to report the number of units sold in California and the volume of material reused or disposed of.

Solid waste facilities must report the number of units received, and the number of units landfilled, recycled or renovated at the facility or sent away to be recycled or renovated.

The complete requirements can be found in CCR Sections 18965-18967Guidance and tracking spreadsheets are available to assist reporting entities in meeting their annual reporting requirements. The spreadsheets include the questions for each reporting entity pulled from the annual reporting database.

How do I report?

Reporting entities will need to login to the Mattress Recovery and Recycling Program (MRRP) database; to submit their annual report. Users will need a WebPass to login. If you already have a CalRecycle WebPass for other CalRecycle reporting, your existing CalRecycle WebPass may be used. If you have trouble logging in or still need to create a WebPass, please contact mattresses@calrecycle.ca.gov.  

When can I report?

You may only report when the reporting cycle is open. CalRecycle will send a notice through the database when the reporting cycle is open and will provide ample time for reporting entities to meet the May 1 deadline. Reminder messages will also be sent as the deadline approaches notifying entities that the cycle will be closing.

What time period does the annual report cover?

Reporting entities are responsible for reporting information from the preceding calendar year January 1st through December 31st.

Who is required to track California versus non-California sources?

As required by CCR Sections 18965-18966, mattress renovators and recyclers are required to track quantitative information on the number of used mattresses received from California sources and out-of-state sources during the preceding calendar year.  

Solid waste facilities are not required to report the California versus non-California source; however, the Department and the Mattress Recycling Council have determined that this information is helpful for analyzing the flow of mattresses throughout the state for purposes of baseline and goal-setting and to track progress towards goals. Accordingly, if your solid waste facility has this information or would like to voluntarily collect it in the future, please include it in your annual reports.

For more information on how to track California sources versus non-California sources, please contact mattresses@calrecycle.ca.gov.  

What if I don’t know the answer to one of the questions on the annual report?

If you are unsure of an answer, please contact mattresses@calrecycle.ca.gov for assistance.

What is the difference between CalRecycle and the Mattress Recycling Council (MRC)?

The MRC is the mattress recycling organization certified by CalRecycle to develop, implement, and administer the mattress recycling program. CalRecycle is the state agency that is responsible for ensuring that the MRC executes its responsibilities under the law.

I already report to MRC on a monthly basis, do I still have to report to CalRecycle?

Yes, all mattress renovators, all mattress recyclers, and solid waste facilities that accept, under their normal operating conditions, used mattresses, regardless of whether or not they contract with or report to the MRC are required to annually report to CalRecycle on or before May 1st of each year (see section “who is required to report” above for more definitions).

What if I miss the May 1st deadline?

As required by statute, annual reports are due May 1st annually. Failure to report by the due date may lead to enforcement action, including administrative civil penalties of up to $5,000 per day. For questions regarding compliance, please contact mattressenforcement@calrecycle.ca.gov.

What if I don’t report?

The Department may impose an administrative civil penalty on any regulated entity that is in violation of the Used Mattress Recovery and Recycling Act and its implementing regulations. Penalties up to $5,000 per day are specified in PRC Section 42993.1 (a). For questions regarding compliance, please contact mattressenforcement@calrecycle.ca.gov.

How do I keep updated about these requirements?

It is a reporting entity’s responsibility to stay apprised of and abide by the laws and regulations that apply to them while operating a business in the state of California.

The Department sends out messages specific to the annual reporting requirements through the reporting database.  Please notify mattresses@calrecycle.ca.gov, if your email address or the contact person for your facility changes so we can update our records and the correct parties receive the database notifications.