Mike Zachman is the founder and director of the Arlington Recycle Warehouse, a non-profit mattress recycling business located in Smokey Point (16910 59th Avenue NE, Suite 95, Arlington, WA). 

Only two mattress and box spring recyclers in Washington.  The other is located in Tacoma.  February 2014 the business started.

 

Thousands of pounds of steel, metal, and foam are saved from the landfill each week.  They have a 7500 square foot warehouse and employ special needs individuals.

600 pieces are received each week.  Some pieces weigh over 200 pounds.

 
The business gets money for the foam – 30 cents per pound.  3,000-6,000 pounds of steel are shipped each week.  We get $60 per ton of steel.  All of the wood in the box spring is also recycled.  6,000-12,000 pounds of wood is recycled each week.  The cotton is sold for insulation.

95%-98% of what is in a mattress and box spring can be recycled, even the plastic a new mattress comes wrapped in.

Mike volunteers his time and enjoys doing it.  Started the business with $16,000.  Largest supplier is Sears.

 
If you have a piece you want to bring by it is $10 per piece.  If you want pick it up it is $25 per piece.  They take metal bed frames for free.

 
Many states have outlawed dumping your mattress in the landfill.  King County is looking at potentially going this direction.

Applying to be a 501(3)(c).

They are in need of a fork lift and box truck.