Laois amnesty collects incredible number of old mattresses

An incredible number of old unwanted mattresses in Laois homes have been dumped free of charge on a Mattress Amnesty event, all to be recycled.

On the hottest Saturday of the year, July 12 while many were heading off on days out, other Laois people were taking advantage of Laois County Council's free collection day held at Portlaoise Rugby Club.

In less than four hours, over 400 mattresses were gathered from householders, in the anti-dumping initiative that is funded by the state.

The council's environment staff ran the event, working with Bounceback Recycling who will recycle as many parts of the mattress as possible.

A queue of customers at Portlaoise Rugby Club for the mattress amnesty day on July 12.

The good news is that there will be a second event in August, this time for the collection of unwanted bulky furniture such as couches and chairs. 

A spokesperson for the council's environment section spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"Final details are yet to be decided for this event.

"Again we are very grateful to Portlaoise Rugby Club for allowing us to use their excellent facilities to hold these events.

"We hope that by holding these events it will reduce the level of dumping across the County," they said.

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The mattress amnesty was limited to domestic households, and to two mattresses per customer.  The normal fee at Kyletalesha recycling centre, open Monday to Friday 8am to 3.30pm and Saturday 8am to 1.30pm, is €20 per mattress.

Unwanted furniture in good condition can also be donated to charity shops.