County continues mattress recycling to save landfill space and taxpayer dollars
Mesa County will continue recycling mattresses and box springs in 2026 after Commissioners approved a contract with Spring Back Colorado during the Jan. 13 administrative public hearing.
The contract, not to exceed $200,000, authorizes continued mattress recycling at the Mesa County Landfill — a program that has delivered measurable environmental and financial benefits over the past four years.
The Mesa County Landfill receives about 15,000 mattresses and box springs each year. Unlike other waste, mattresses do not compact, which means they take up a disproportionate amount of landfill airspace. They also cause frequent damage to heavy equipment, becoming tangled in compactor wheels and leading to costly repairs and downtime.
Mattresses are made primarily of recyclable materials — including steel, foam, cotton, wood, and fabric — with roughly 90 percent of each mattress capable of being recycled.
Since launching mattress recycling just over four years ago, Mesa County has seen significant returns:
- An estimated 34,000 cubic yards of landfill airspace preserved
- No equipment downtime related to mattress disposal
- Approximately $300,000 in net savings compared with landfilling mattresses
During that time, about 50 to 60 percent of mattresses received at the landfill have been recycled. Mattresses that are excessively soiled or contain bedbugs must still be disposed of in the landfill for safety reasons.
In accordance with Mesa County’s contract renewal policy, the Landfill issued a request for proposals for 2026 mattress recycling services. The request was publicly advertised, and Spring Back Colorado was the only responsive bidder.
Spring Back Colorado has provided mattress recycling services in Colorado since 2011 and currently serves multiple landfills across the state. County staff cited the company’s performance history, cost savings, and operational benefits in recommending the contract renewal.
What residents should know
- The landfill disposal fee is $20 per item. A mattress and box spring together cost $40 to dispose of.
- Mattress acceptance during community cleanup events varies by location and year. Residents should check with the organization hosting their cleanup — whether Mesa County, the City of Grand Junction, or another municipality — to confirm what materials will be accepted.
- Conserving landfill airspace is critical. Once permitted airspace is filled, siting and permitting a new landfill is costly and time-consuming.
Commissioners unanimously approved the contract, citing the program’s clear cost-benefit value and its role in extending the life of the Mesa County Landfill.
