The seemingly long-awaited Register of Accepted Mattress Recyclers (RAMR) is lastly up and working, with an preliminary three members. It has been arrange on behalf of companies and different stakeholders engaged within the assortment and recycling of mattresses in the UK.
RAMR is the brainchild of a steering group comprising two main UK commerce associations, the Textile Recycling Affiliation (TRA) and the Nationwide Mattress Federation (NBF), various mattress recyclers, producers, retailers, waste administration corporations and native authority representatives.
Steering group members, NW-based The Furnishings Recycling Group, Midlands-based Circom and Kent-based SSSI (aka Matt UK) all have websites which have handed the audits required to be accepted as RAMR permitted mattress recycling crops.
Says Alan Wheeler, CEO of the TRA: “Sadly, recycling can appeal to merchants who don’t uphold the principles and rules established to guard enterprise, prospects and employees. When a bunch of mattress recyclers approached us to collaborate on figuring out a means of tackling this downside and giving them the flexibility to show their skilled credentials, the thought of RAMR developed.”,
A rigorous auditing course of sits behind membership of RAMR aimed toward pointing these in search of respected mattress recyclers in the suitable route. All of the websites listed as RAMR-approved have been fastidiously vetted and audited in-person by an impartial, accredited agency of auditors in opposition to a stringent set of standards to make sure they’re buying and selling legally, complying with all related rules and requirements and recycling responsibly.
Says Jessica Alexander, outgoing government director of the Nationwide Mattress Federation: “Diverting discarded mattresses from the waste disposal stream is extensively accepted as each fascinating and vital. In keeping with our research1, over 1.5 million mattresses – round 24% of the overall disposed of yearly – are already being diverted from landfill. We want assurance that this recycling is being performed responsibly, and we would have liked a mechanism to assist accountable recyclers in future, as the size of mattress recycling is ready to extend considerably in future in opposition to a backdrop of potential authorities regulation. The purpose of RAMR is to assist native authorities, public our bodies and companies wishing to get rid of used mattresses to determine accountable, respected operators they’ll work with.”
A brand new firm restricted by assure, the Mattress Recycling Affiliation Ltd, has been set as much as administer RAMR. Within the early levels, this service is being offered by the NBF and the TRA – however because the membership grows, it’s anticipated that the membership shall be ample to assist itself.
Nick Oettinger, managing director of The Furnishings Recycling Group says: “We’re thrilled to be part of an initiative that units a excessive customary for mattress recycling. As a round economic system enterprise, we perceive the significance of accountable and moral recycling practices, and RAMR is not going to solely present reassurance to customers and companies but in addition assist to create a degree enjoying area for recyclers within the trade. We look ahead to seeing it develop and making a big contribution to decreasing waste and landfill within the UK.”
Established and new mattress recyclers from the entire of the UK, Republic of Eire, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are eligible to use to affix the Register.
Extra particulars at www.ramr.org.uk
