Australian Bedding Stewardship Council (ABSC)

Reminder! March 21, 2025 is the deadline for expressions of interest in our Foam Micronisation project. As part of our mission to reduce landfill waste and explore viable recycling solutions, we invite our members to participate in an exclusive Expression of Interest (EOI) for a groundbreaking research initiative focused on Polyurethane (PU) foam recycling. PU foams, including flexible and memory foams, are widely used in bedding products but remain challenging to recycle due to their thermoset properties. This research initiative aims to validate the feasibility of micronising PU foams using Repurpose Recycling’s proprietary equipment and processes to create a fine powder that could replace virgin polyols and isocyanates in new PU foam production. Beyond reducing reliance on virgin materials, this project seeks to lower the costs and environmental impact associated with PU foam disposal and transportation. More details below.

From Waste to Worth: The Power of Bedding Stewardship in a Circular Economy Each year, Australians dispose of an estimated 1.8 million mattresses, with many ending up in landfill—bulky, hard to manage, and a missed opportunity. At the Australian Bedding Stewardship Council (ABSC), we believe this statistic represents more than a challenge; it’s an opportunity to create a meaningful impact. The Problem with Traditional Disposal When mattresses and bedding are discarded in landfills, valuable resources are lost. Steel, foam, textiles, and wood. Materials that could otherwise be recovered and reused sit idle, contributing to waste and environmental degradation. But it’s not just about the environment; it’s also about the economy. Wasted resources mean wasted opportunities for innovation and job creation in recycling and reuse industries. The Lens of Bedding Through Stewardship Product stewardship shifts the paradigm. It asks us to rethink how products like mattresses are designed, produced, and managed throughout their lifecycle. By embedding circular principles into the bedding industry, we can: - Minimise waste by encouraging better design for recyclability. - Recover resources through robust recycling systems. - Support innovation in repurposing materials into new products. At ABSC, we champion these principles to drive systemic change in the bedding sector. Creating a National Impact The ABSC works alongside suppliers, manufacturers, retailers, and recyclers to build a national product stewardship scheme for bedding. By bringing stakeholders together, we lay the groundwork for impactful programs that ensure products are responsibly managed from production to end of life. How You Can Contribute We all play a role in transitioning Australia to a circular economy. Here’s how you can join the effort: - Choose responsibly: Support brands that embrace sustainable practices. - Recycle smarter: Avoid landfill by choosing mattress recycling services near you. - Champion stewardship: Advocate for businesses and policies that prioritise a circular approach. A Future Worth Building As we look to the future, the ABSC is committed to transforming bedding waste into a resource, driving both environmental and economic benefits. We can create a nation where every mattress is part of a sustainable system and a future where waste is truly a thing of the past. Better Bedding, Together. Get Involved Today Visit https://lnkd.in/gJNJKsPM to learn more about how ABSC is leading the charge for bedding stewardship in Australia. Explore resources, find recycling options, and join us in making a difference.

The impact of Cyclone Alfred is deeply concerning. Our hearts go out to all our members and the communities facing these challenging conditions. We understand this is a difficult time. Stay safe and take care. If you feel compelled to support, the Australian Red Cross is accepting donations to support people impacted by Cyclone Alfred. https://lnkd.in/gywaFAKn #CycloneAlfred #CommunitySupport #StaySafe

For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment. At the Australian Bedding Stewardship Council, we’re proud to be an all-female team leading change in an industry historically shaped by a predominantly male workforce and conventional approaches. Our work is about more than just creating a sustainable future for bedding materials—it’s about reshaping an industry, breaking barriers, and proving that leadership, innovation, and impact have no gender. The UN theme for International Women’s Day 2025—For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.—resonates deeply with our mission. As we work towards a circular economy, we also champion a future where women’s voices, expertise, and leadership are recognised, valued, and empowered. This year’s United Nations 69th Commission on the Status of Women will reflect on progress since the Beijing Declaration, a landmark commitment to gender equality. While progress has been made, there is still work to do. That’s why we celebrate today—not just as a moment of recognition, but as a reminder of the power of women in every sector, especially those where we’ve historically been underrepresented. To all the women in sustainability, stewardship, and beyond—your leadership is part of the future. #ABSC #IWD2025 #InternationalWomensDay #ForAllWomenAndGirls #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #WomenInLeadership Kylie Roberts-Frost Tracey Pryor Krisandra Knight, Certified Change Leader, CSPO Nicole Birrell Louise Randazzo

Remote Op Shop – Comfort Return and Floor Stock campaign - Brisbane The Australian Bedding Stewardship Council (ABSC), in partnership with the Remote OpShop Project, is leading an essential initiative to supply fit-for-purpose bedding to remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This project embodies our Redesign pillar, focusing on sustainable solutions tailored to community-specific needs, and our Reuse pillar, focusing on hygienic reuse of bedding that is not at end of life. We're working together to provide suitable and sustainable bedding for remote First Nations communities, and we need your help! Tanya Egerton, the founder of the Remote OpShop Project, and Project Net Zero in Brisbane, have teamed up to deliver a container load of mattresses and household goods to remote communities in the Northern Territory. For the month of March, ABSC Members can donate goods to the Remote OpShop Project and Project Net Zero is coordinating the logistics. Providing mattresses How You Can Get Involved? We're looking for donations of: - Single, King Single, or Double foam mattresses (new, comfort returns, or floor stock) - New, unused bedding like pillows and sheets. Please note: We cannot accept bed bases or mattresses with springs. Donation Deadline: Brisbane - March 31st Contact: To arrange a donation, please contact Tanya Egerton at [email protected] or 0482568100. Why Your Donation Matters: Your generosity will directly support the Remote OpShop Project in: ✅ Deliver essential bedding to communities ✅ Provide enterprise training & small business support to scale the existing opshops ✅ Run pop-up OpShops & workshops to empower local communities and grow the opshop network ✅ Support families still recovering from the 2023 floods Your stock donations may be tax deductible; check with your tax advisor. The Need: Many remote communities face significant challenges accessing essential items, especially suitable bedding. Over 150,000 First Nations people live across more than 1,000 remote communities, where substandard living conditions, high costs, and logistical difficulties make acquiring affordable, quality bedding incredibly tough. Often, available mattresses are unsuitable for harsh outback conditions, contribute to environmental issues, and can even exacerbate health risks. About the Remote OpShop Project: The Remote OpShop Project supports the development of OpShops in remote Aboriginal communities. These community-driven social enterprises generate funds that are reinvested into local startups, creative projects, and community needs. They also provide capacity-building workshops to develop entrepreneurial skills, strengthening families and communities. The project fosters community-based enterprises operating within a circular economy model, transforming waste into valuable resources. Learn more - https://loom.ly/WYP--5c Thank you for considering this important initiative.

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Bedundo - New Recycler As our members will know, the ABSC has been focused on growing recycling capabilities across Australia. One of our geographical focuses has been Western Australia. Regional areas struggle to get mattresses to recyclers as they are bulky, hard to transport and ethical, responsible recyclers can be hard to find. We are delighted to announce Bedundo, owned by Stephen King, as an approved recycler serving regional councils in Western Australia. Steven shares, “Bedundo mattress disassembling and segregation services are dedicated to help regional shires across Western Australia. Our on-site, hands-on approach ensures efficient, quiet, and clean mattress disassembly, with a strong focus on fire safety. From the northernmost communities to the southernmost towns and cities, we support councils, waste facilities, and transfer stations in optimising waste processing and sustainability efforts. Together, we will create local jobs, support communities, and reduce landfill waste—building a cleaner, greener future for Western Australia.” You can find our approved recyclers on our website: https://loom.ly/lZWBWME Note: Bedundo does not do residential or retailer collections.

Shaping the Future of Product Stewardship: Have Your Say on the RAWR Act Review The Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020 (RAWR Act) Review is a pivotal opportunity for industry leaders to help shape the future of sustainability, product lifecycle management, and resource recovery in Australia. Our CEO of the Australian Bedding Stewardship Council, Kylie Roberts-Frost, has been actively involved in this process—participating in a dedicated working group and engaging in key discussions with the Department to advocate for meaningful reforms. This is a rare moment to influence national policy and ensure that industry perspectives are considered in shaping a stronger, more effective product stewardship framework. Why This Matters: - The RAWR Act will define how industries contribute to the circular economy, from product design to end-of-life solutions. - If industry leaders don’t engage, decisions may be made without a full understanding of sector challenges and opportunities. - Strengthening mandatory producer responsibility, recycling infrastructure, and regulatory alignment is crucial for a sustainable and commercially viable future. At the ABSC, we see government engagement as a core responsibility of our stewardship scheme. Getting this right will ensure a level playing field, drive accountability, and accelerate circular economy initiatives. We invite you to review our submission summary (linked below) and participate in the public ‘Have Your Say’ survey. If you have insights, feedback, or want to discuss how your business can contribute, please reach out: [email protected]. See ABSC's response to RAWR Act 2020 here - https://lnkd.in/gPhYqpKh #ProductStewardship #Sustainability #RAWRAct #Recycling #WasteReduction #ESG

🌱Supporting Remote First Nations Communities – Together with Remote OpShop🌱 The Australian Bedding Stewardship Council (ABSC) is proud to partner with Remote OpShop Project to design better mattress solutions for remote First Nations communities. A good night’s sleep is essential for health and well-being, and we’re committed to ensuring that sustainable, quality bedding reaches those who need it most. In April 2025, Remote OpShop is taking their brand-new 4WD Mobile OpShop to the Kimberley to support over 40 remote communities—but they need your help! 🚛 With a target of $30,000, your donation will help: ✅ Deliver essential bedding, clothing & household items ✅ Support local op shops with enterprise training & small business support ✅ Provide pop-up shops & workshops to empower communities ✅ Assist families still recovering from the 2023 floods 💙 Every dollar makes a difference. Help us bring comfort and sustainability to those who need it most. Donate here: https://lnkd.in/g9A9NCQ4 #ABSC #RemoteOpShop #SustainableBedding #SupportingCommunities #DonateNow

Calling all members of The Australian Bedding Stewardship Council. ABSC is committed to driving sustainability and innovation within the bedding industry. As part of our mission to reduce landfill waste and explore viable recycling solutions, we invite our members to participate in an exclusive Expression of Interest (EOI) for a groundbreaking research initiative focused on Polyurethane (PU) foam recycling. About the Project PU foams, including flexible and memory foams, are widely used in bedding products but remain challenging to recycle due to their thermoset properties. This research initiative aims to validate the feasibility of micronising PU foams using Repurpose Recycling’s proprietary equipment and processes to create a fine powder that could replace virgin polyols and isocyanates in new PU foam production. Beyond reducing reliance on virgin materials, this project seeks to lower the costs and environmental impact associated with PU foam disposal and transportation. Why get involved? By participating in this initiative, your organisation will have the opportunity to: - Contribute to the advancement of circular economy practices in the bedding industry.  - Support research and development to increase the recycled content in PU foam manufacturing.  - Be at the forefront of innovation in sustainable material recovery and reuse. Eligibility Criteria - Active ABSC membership for the current and next financial year.  - Involvement in the bedding value chain (manufacturers, retailers, importers, recyclers, or raw material suppliers).  - Commitment to providing financial support and potential supply of foam for trials.  - Willingness to engage in collaborative research and milestone meetings. Interested members should submit their EOI by 21 March 2025. For questions email [email protected]. Download the full EOI here - https://lnkd.in/g24yhcTU