Victoria, BC– The Capital Regional District (CRD) Board is calling on the BC Ministry of Environment and Parks to reconsider its recent decision not to include mattresses and foundations in the Recycling Regulation amendment passed in October 2025.
BC’s Recycling Regulation requires the producers of regulated products to create Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs that collect, manage, and process their products once they reach end-of-life, ensuring these materials are recycled in an environmentally sound way.
“Mattress disposal is a costly challenge for local governments and a persistent source of illegal dumping,” said CRD Board Chair Cliff McNeil-Smith. “Adding mattresses and foundations to the Recycling Regulation is a practical and proven solution that will shift responsibility for end-of-life management of these materials to the producers that make them, while also supporting a circular economy.”
Currently, the CRD subsidizes the high cost of mattress processing and recycling, while member municipalities cover collection, hauling, and tipping fees for these frequently dumped items.
The CRD Board emphasizes that an EPR program for mattresses would:
- Shift the financial and logistical burden of mattress disposal from local governments to producers, aligning with existing EPR programs for other products.
- Reduce illegal dumping and extend the life of landfills across the province.
- Foster the development of a sustainable recycling market for mattresses and foundations.
- Support the province’s waste reduction targets.
The CRD Board remains committed to finding solutions that reduce waste and encourages the province to explore opportunities for including mattresses and foundations in the Recycling Regulation, ensuring a fair and sustainable approach that supports BC’s waste reduction goals.
Letter to the Honourable Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks [PDF/215KB]
The CRD delivers regional, sub-regional and local services to 13 municipalities and three electoral areas on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Governed by a 24-member Board of Directors, the CRD works collaboratively with First Nations and government partners to enable sustainable growth, foster community well-being, and develop cost-effective infrastructure while continuing to provide core services to residents throughout the region. Visit us online at www.crd.ca.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Andy Orr, Senior Manager
CRD Corporate Communications & Engagement
Tel: 250.360.3229
Cell: 250.216.5492
