HB 6437 Summary

• Establishes a state-wide mattress stewardship program requiring mattress producers to join a mattress recycling council and submit an approved plan to the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection by July 1, 2014.

• Imposes a mattress stewardship fee on all mattresses sold in Connecticut (except crib and bassinette mattresses) to fund the collection, transportation, and processing of discarded mattresses, with the fee appearing on purchase invoices.

• Requires the program to provide free, convenient collection of discarded mattresses from consumers and covered entities (municipalities, retailers, healthcare facilities, etc.), with preference given to recycling over other disposal methods.

• Mandates annual reporting by the council on program performance metrics including tonnage collected, recycling rates, and materials diverted, with the Commissioner evaluating the program and establishing recycling goals within three years.

• Authorizes the Commissioner and Attorney General to enforce program requirements through civil action and injunctive relief, effective October 1, 2013, with the program implementation required within 120 to 180 days of plan approval.