Maryland's 'Sleep Tax' Targets Mattress Waste—Could It Work?" (150 characters) **Ideal rewrite:** Maryland's new "sleep tax" tackles mattress

# Maryland's Bold Move: The "Sleep Tax" Aiming to Curb Mattress Waste

Maryland is tackling an often-overlooked environmental issue—mattress waste—with a proposed "sleep tax." The initiative aims to reduce the staggering number of mattresses ending up in landfills while promoting recycling efforts. But will residents embrace this policy, or will it become another contentious environmental fee?

## Why Target Mattresses?

Every year, millions of mattresses are discarded, clogging landfills and creating long-term environmental hazards. Unlike other waste, mattresses are bulky, difficult to compact, and contain materials that take decades to decompose.

### The Problem with Mattress Waste:
- **Slow Decomposition** – A single mattress can take **40+ years** to break down in a landfill.
- **Space Hogging** – Mattresses take up **23 cubic feet** of landfill space each.
- **Toxic Materials** – Many contain flame retardants, adhesives, and metals that can leach into soil and water.

## How Would Maryland’s Sleep Tax Work?

The proposed tax would add a small fee to every new mattress purchase, with funds allocated to:
1. **Recycling Programs** – Encouraging proper disposal and material recovery.
2. **Public Awareness Campaigns** – Educating consumers on mattress recycling options.
3. **Incentives for Manufacturers** – Supporting eco-friendly mattress design.

## States Leading the Charge

Maryland wouldn’t be the first—California and Connecticut already have mattress recycling laws. Results in those states show:
- **60% of mattresses** recycled instead of trashed.
- **Millions saved** in landfill costs.
- **New jobs** in the recycling sector.

## Opposition Concerns

Critics argue:
- **Another Hidden Cost** – Consumers already face rising prices on essentials.
- **Enforcement Challenges** – Will retailers pass the cost fairly?
- **Effectiveness Doubts** – Will the tax actually change behavior?

## What Do You Think?

The sleep tax debate is heating up—will it be a sustainable solution or just another financial burden?

- **Would you support a "sleep tax" if it meant less waste in landfills?**
- **Should mattress manufacturers cover recycling costs instead of consumers?**
- **Could this tax discourage people from buying new mattresses, leading to health risks from old ones?**
- **Is this just another "green" tax disguised as environmentalism?**

Share your thoughts—should Maryland sleep on this idea or move forward?