Better Bedding Together

The Australian Bedding Stewardship Council (ABSC) partners with bedding manufacturers, suppliers, importers, and retailers to Rethink, Redesign, Reuse, and Recycle bedding, reducing waste and supporting practices that ensure that the bedding industry remains environmentally and commercially sustainable long into the future.

To accelerate producer responsibility, we recommend focusing on three key areas of intervention:

1. Increase Participation in Product Stewardship Schemes
   It is essential to hold producers accountable for their products throughout the entire lifecycle—from design to disposal.  Product Stewardship Schemes ensure that manufacturers, retailers, and other stakeholders collectively contribute to reducing environmental impacts and advancing towards a circular economy.  Two key outcomes achieved by product stewardship schemes facilitating collaboration across the value chain is connecting research, design, & innovation with manufacturing & retail experience and reframing industry discussions to “How can we drive outcomes together?”.
2. Consumer Education and Engagement
   Especially within the bedding industry, we must develop initiatives to educate consumers about the environmental impacts of mattresses and related bedding products, as well as the importance of repair, reuse, and recycling. Consumers play a vital role in supporting sustainability. Educating consumers on the environmental impact of mattresses and related products, as well as the importance of repair, reuse, and recycling, is crucial. In 2025, the ABSC will focus on initiatives to make reuse pathways and recycling options more accessible—at the point of sale and through digital platforms—to foster responsible purchasing and ethical disposal habits.
3. Promotion and Expansion of Sustainable Procurement Practices
   Although some sectors have embraced sustainable procurement, there is a pressing need for broader adoption. Businesses should prioritize bedding products that meet sustainable manufacturing and recycling standards. By doing so, they create demand for closed-loop production processes, driving innovation in sustainable design and bolstering the industry’s transition to a circular economy.