Recycling scheme gives used mattresses new lease of life to tackle poverty

A charity behind a new project helping to clean and donate mattresses to those most in need say the service is required more than ever.

Stella’s Voice, who are based in Peterhead, are working with Aberdeenshire Council to reduce waste by cleaning beds that would otherwise go to waste.

The project either sells the mattresses through its reuse shop to generate funds or use them directly in its humanitarian efforts to support vulnerable people and those in most need.

More than 100 have been transformed over the past eight months – but demand is expected to grow amid the cost-of-living crisis.

Mattresses are donated across Aberdeenshire STV News

Stella’s Voice CEO Mark Morgan said: “I think we can all relate to having a bad night’s sleep and what they can mean for a day, but for many people, that’s the reality.

“Things are getting tough – it’s harder to make ends meet. The demand is outstripping response.”

The mattress renewal process combines hot water extraction with detailed cleaning to remove dirt, dust, allergens, mites, and odours.

Once complete, the mattress is wrapped and stored in a protective, 100% recyclable, protective cover which will be removed upon delivery and recycled.

Stella's Voice chief Mark Morgan — Stella’s Voice chief Mark Morgan STV News

Around one a day is going out to someone who really needs it in the North East.

Rebecca Ross is the operations manager of the community not-for-profit, the Banffshire Partnership, which is partnered with Stella’s Voice.

“These go to a range of people in crisis,” she said. “Everybody deserves dignity. The right to have a decent night’s sleep is right up there.”

“The one we’re collecting today is going to a man who’s sleeping on the floor.

“With a mattress in bed, he’ll sleep properly. Hopefully, he can go to work again.”

Operations manager Rebecca Ross STV News

Mark added: “It’s a life-changing item for some. But it’s also reducing the amount of waste – and reducing the bill of disposing of them.”

The council’s homeless service and refugee resettlement team rely on mattresses from the charity to help those in need – and they hope the scheme will continue.

Councillor Alan Turner said: “On a national level, we see around 600,000 mattresses disposed of each year, but only 10% are recycled – from a council’s perspective, this is far better.

“A lot of people are suffering difficulties at this time of year – anything that can help with that is a tremendous advantage.

“Let’s see it grow and take it from there.”