As a lead agency for OMNIA Partners cooperative purchasing program, University of California (UC) Systemwide Procurement competitively solicited and awarded a contract to Dormlife, a supplier dedicated to sustainable mattress management. Through this program, UC is committed not only to advancing our own sustainability goals but also to creating positive procurement pathways that other institutions can easily adopt.
Partnering for Positive Impact
Providing a thriving residential experience for university students means continually refreshing and maintaining the spaces where students learn, study, and live, including replacing hundreds of mattresses in residence halls. But mattresses are notoriously difficult to dispose of and are traditionally destined for landfills.
When it came time for a major mattress refresh at UC Berkeley, they faced the daunting challenge of staying true to Berkeley’s sustainability goals while efficiently managing hundreds of used mattresses. The Dormlife contract enabled Berkeley to meet this challenge head-on by partnering with a mattress supplier committed to environmental stewardship and operational efficiency.
Proof of What’s Possible
Dormlife works with the Mattress Recycling Council (MRC) to ensure every removed mattress is processed through certified recycling facilities rather than discarded. This means materials like steel, foam, and wood are recovered and repurposed—conserving natural resources, reducing emissions, and supporting closed-loop manufacturing. UC Berkeley’s recent mattress replacement project resulted in:
- 670 mattresses diverted from landfills
- 36,850 pounds of material recycled and repurposed
- More than 18 tons of waste eliminated from the waste stream
Additionally, Dormlife provided detailed sustainability reporting with transparent metrics that support UC’s broader waste-reduction commitments.
A Ready-to-Use Solution for Other Campuses
With UC as the lead agency for the Dormlife contract, any university can access the same competitively solicited agreement through OMNIA Partners—making it simple to replicate UC Berkeley’s success. (Campuses in states without MRC infrastructure can still participate; Dormlife provides tailored recycling solutions to ensure responsible disposal nationwide.)
Leading by Example
The contract with Dormlife is a model of how much impact UC’s commitment to these values can have, both within the UC system and across the country. By awarding contracts that align operational needs with sustainable practices—and making those solutions accessible nationally through OMNIA Partners—the University of California is helping institutions everywhere reduce waste, lower environmental impact, and upgrade campus housing responsibly.