A Cambuslang-headquartered construction and demolition waste business recycled a record-breaking mattress a minute in 2025.
Hamilton Waste & Recycling, acquired by Biffa in 2023, diverted 138,500 old mattresses from landfill last year – up from 131,500 mattresses in 2024; 75,300 in 2023; and 41,500 in 2022.
Mattresses are collected from construction sites – including hotel and student accommodation refits – household waste recycling centres, property clearances and retailer recycling schemes, and taken to Hamilton’s specialist facility at Smeaton Recycling Centre, near Edinburgh, to be dismantled into their constituent parts.
Foam and polyester are recycled where they can be into new products like carpet underlay, insulation and padding for furniture, while steel springs are shredded and sold as scrap. Any soiled fabric is refined into an alternative fuel – ensuring 100% landfill diversion.
Hamilton also recycles aggregates, timber, plastic, and metal, reinforcing its central role in Scotland’s construction and demolition circular economy.
Krzysztof Zurek, Hamilton Waste & Recycling MD, said, “Mattress recycling matters because it tackles one of the bulkiest waste streams in the UK.
“Every year, 750,000 mattresses end up in Scottish landfill, taking up valuable space and releasing harmful greenhouse gases. Our mattress recycling service is a full landfill diversion process coupled with full traceability of all recycled materials after deconstruction.
“By dismantling and reusing materials like steel, foam, and textiles, we conserve resources, cut emissions, and create green jobs – all while driving the circular economy forward. We’re excited for what 2026 will bring as we continue to grow, collaborate, and deliver sustainable waste solutions across Scotland.”
Robin Stevenson, MD at Biffa Construction & Demolition, added, “Mattresses have always been one of the hardest items to recycle because of their size and complex mix of materials.
“For years, most ended up in landfill. Hamilton’s achievement shows how far the industry has come – turning a major waste problem into a resource opportunity. By dismantling and recovering steel, foam, and fibres, we’re proving that innovation and collaboration can overcome historic barriers and deliver real progress toward a circular economy.”
