For the Mattress Alliance, founded in 2021, realcycle is working on various sub-projects as part of a project funded by the BAFU's environmental technology program to increase the circularity of mattresses in Switzerland:
Eco-design subproject
Design is the starting point for a sustainable circular economy. Only through appropriate design can resource consumption be minimized, durability ensured, and an extension of service life or safe return to the cycle guaranteed. In the Eco-Design subproject, various eco-design options for mattresses are therefore being investigated in collaboration with mattress manufacturers. Within the subproject, the use of secondary foam in mattresses, the elimination of adhesives through special cutting techniques, and the use of bio-based plastics were investigated, for example.
Digital Product Passport (DPP) subproject
A digital product passport (DPP) is to be introduced to simplify the recycling of mattresses. The digital product passport enables recyclers to identify the materials contained in the mattress. The product passport thus enables better pre-sorting, efficient processing, and closed-loop recycling by providing stakeholders along the entire value chain with the information relevant to them. It also creates transparency in sustainability figures.
Previous research and interviews with stakeholders have shown that important decisions regarding DPP need to be made within the industry: Which technology from which provider should be used, and what content is important to be able to view in the DPP? Suggestions on this, as well as a procedure for preparing for the DPP, have already been developed:
- Based on the EU Battery Directive and the requirements for battery DPPs, content for a mattress DPP can be derived. The most important information is about the materials: which materials are used, where do they come from, do they contain secondary materials, etc.? This information is relevant for both customers and recyclers, as it should enable faster and better recycling.
- Secondly, information about the environmental impact of the mattresses is important. Here, for example, the CO2 footprint of the product is specified.
- The data carrier for the information can be a QR code, an RFID or an NFC chip.
- There are already various providers of DPPs, some specifically for mattresses. However, companies should be free to choose their provider; even in the EU, no provider will be specified.
How can companies prepare for the DPP?
- Embed the concept of the circular economy and motivation for DPP in the company
- Collect data on the company's supply chains and processes.
- Inform all relevant departments about the DPP and discuss and evaluate potential, ideas, and requirements.
- Gather information on various DPP providers.
- Verify compatibility with software and IT systems within the company.
- Examine the possibilities for data storage of DPP data within the company.
The entire IT structure was also identified as a challenge. To assist companies, a workshop with IT experts was held at the end of 2023 to prepare them optimally for the introduction of the DPP.
Subproject: Secondary Products Market
Successful recycling can only take place if the products from recycling also have a meaningful use. To this end, sales markets and uses for the foams and textiles from mattress recycling are identified. The findings from the investigations into the sales markets are then fed back into the eco-design project in order to determine the most suitable materials.