Circular economy in Switzerland: pilot project for mattress recycling

Switzerland currently lacks a structured solution for the take-back and recycling of mattresses, unlike in other countries such as France and the Netherlands, where such a system is already in place. Instead, valuable materials such as foam, textiles and metals are lost through incineration, resulting in avoidable greenhouse gas emissions. Recycling on a day-to-day basis would be technically feasible, but is not being implemented due to a lack of infrastructure and coordinated processes.  

Pilot project for mattress recycling

The Mattress Alliance brings together stakeholders across the value chain to establish a nationwide recycling system in Switzerland that breaks down mattresses into their constituent parts and channels them into existing recycling streams. In the pilot project in Aargau, return points are being set up and collection and logistics processes are being tested. The practical implementation is being carried out by Sortec Aarberg Ltd. in collaboration with Witzwil Prison, with scientific support from the Plastics Training and Technology Centre (KATZ).  

The aim of the pilot phase is to validate the processes and lay the foundations for scaling up the scheme at national level. The project thus contributes to the further development of the circular economy in Switzerland.

myclimate’s
role and benefits for companies

In this project, myclimate is responsible for structuring and ensuring the quality of the impact on the climate. This includes developing the project in accordance with the ‘Guidelines for Local myclimate Projects’, establishing the methodology for calculating emissions reductions, and monitoring the impact based on the quantities recycled. During the set-up phase, the pilot project is funded by contributions to climate protection, through which companies enable the establishment of collection, logistics and recycling systems. The Mattress Alliance and the pilot collection scheme are also supported by other public and private donors.  

Through their contributions, companies are providing concrete support for the establishment of infrastructure that has previously been lacking in Switzerland, providing financing for measurable emissions reductions and contributing to the development of a system that is sustainable in the long term.  

The long-term aim is to introduce an advance recycling levy, whereby disposal is financed at the point of purchase. The pilot phase provides the basis for establishing this market model and, in the long term, operating it without the need for additional contributions to climate protection.  

By recycling mattresses, we are not only creating environmental benefits but also strengthening regional value creation and innovation. The motivation behind the Mattress Alliance is clear: together, we want to develop a sustainable and practical cross-sector solution so that the secondary raw materials in mattresses can be reused. In other words: a functioning circular economy for mattresses in Switzerland.

Corin Gemperle, Managing Director of the Mattress Alliance

This project contributes to 3 SDGs*

*As of July 2026. Find out in our FAQs how myclimate reports on these SDGs.

The project contributes to the further development of a resource-efficient infrastructure.

The project reduces waste generation through recycling. 

Reduction in CO₂ emissions by avoiding the combustion of primary raw materials.