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ISPA Announces First Ever Bedding Industry Sustainability Conference

Furniture World News Desk on 8/10/2022


The International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) announces its first-ever conference on sustainability for the bedding industry. ISPA designed the program to appeal to mattress manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers at any stage of the sustainability journey. The conference will raise awareness of sustainability challenges affecting our industry and showcase efforts by various companies who are working to improve the environmental performance of their businesses and products.

Taking place in Charlotte, NC on November 16-17, 2022, the conference will present a robust lineup of speakers including:

  • Mitchell Toomey, former Global Director of the UN Sustainable Development Goals Action Campaign, now at BASF, will talk about how to use the UN goals and other tools in your business. 
  • Leonard Gordon, a partner with the Venable law firm will discuss marketing, “greenwashing,” and the FTC’s Green Guides. 
  • Brian Tomlinson, Managing Director at EY of Environmental, Social and Governance, will provide an overview of the SEC’s proposed Climate Risk Disclosure Rule and its implications for both publicly traded and privately owned companies. 
  • Andrew Dent, Ph.D., a materials scientist with Material ConneXion, will round out the program by discussing how companies can integrate sustainability concepts into their operations and products.  

"Incorporating sustainability goals into your business can enhance your position in the mattress value chain,” said conference organizer Kate Caddy, ISPA’s Sustainability Manager. “Consumers increasingly expect manufacturers to make their products more sustainable. The time is right for companies in the mattress sector to use innovation and technology to improve their environmental performance.” 

In addition to hearing from sustainability experts, a panel of bedding industry professionals will describe how they set and achieve sustainability goals within their companies. The industry’s own Mattress Recycling Council, which has operated mattress recycling programs since 2015 and processes nearly two million units annually, will also discuss developments in mattress circularity.

“The industry is improving its sustainable practices and has developed an effective model for reducing the number of mattresses discarded in landfills through statewide recycling programs,” ISPA President, Ryan Trainer said. “The industry is also responding to consumers’ interest in sustainable products. The Conference will provide an opportunity for industry professionals from across the value chain to gather, share information, inspire practical solutions, and move forward.”

More information on the conference is available at www.ispasustainability.com. 

 

About the International Sleep Products Association
Established in 1915, the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) is dedicated to lead and advance the interests of the sleep products industry by helping the world sleep better. As the industry’s trade organization, ISPA represents the sleep products industry and members in countries around the world. 

ISPA provides a wide range of services that benefit its membership.  These include exclusive industry surveys and statistics, government advocacy support, educational offerings, the industry’s ISPA EXPO trade show, safety research through its Sleep Products Safety Council, consumer research and education through its Better Sleep Council, BedTimes and Sleep Savvy publications. 

To learn more, visit www.sleepproducts.org or contact info@sleepproducts.org.