Mattresses tend to be replaced every ten years – resulting in a steady stream of bulky waste.

Servicios Medioambientales de Valencia (SMV) is a waste management company which runs a specialised end-of-life mattress recycling operation in Valencia. Since the service was set up in 2011, they have recycled over 1.5 million mattresses and currently process around 10 000–15 000 mattresses each month. 

SMV has a clear operational workflow and a consistent logistics-and-plant model which maximises material recovery from a complex bulky-waste stream. The mattresses are processed at the SMV facilities and separated into key fractions:

• Polyurethane foam is baled and sold as a secondary raw material to be used in new applications. 
• Metal springs are prepared into dense bales and sent for steel recycling. 

Traceability is ensured by weighing and batch control, which enables transparent mass-balance reporting and continuous performance monitoring. 

The approach is scalable and replicable for regions seeking practical solutions for bulky waste mattresses while creating stable outlets for secondary raw materials.