ISPA’s Sustainability & Authorities Affairs » BedTimes Journal
Meet Marty Salamone, authorities affairs and sustainability coordinator for the Worldwide Sleep Merchandise Affiliation.
It’s honest to say Marty Salamone accommodates multitudes. When he isn’t busy in his function as the federal government affairs and sustainability coordinator on the Worldwide Sleep Merchandise Affiliation, he tends to his number of pursuits. In his free time, he hikes round Northern Virginia and Maryland, preserving a watch out for fascinating birds and foraging for edible vegetation.
Indoors, he enjoys studying and, to show his mind off after work, enjoys watching actuality tv — something from “Survivor” to the “Actual Housewives” franchise. Salamone additionally has a black cat named Persephone, who, he says, “is an enormous supporter of ISPA and the mattress business.”
BedTimes: Describe your function in a couple of sentences.
Marty Salamone: My function is exclusive as I break up my time between ISPA’s authorities affairs and sustainability departments. For the federal government affairs a part of my function, I’m accountable for ISPA’s legislative monitoring and supporting the advocacy wants of each ISPA and MRC. Moreover, I assist ISPA’s sustainability initiative by way of participating ISPA’s membership by way of the ISPA Sustainability Committee and MRC’s business workgroups, amongst different initiatives. I additionally assist plan and execute ISPA’s Sustainability Convention.
BT: What drew you to ISPA?
MS: Studying concerning the Mattress Recycling Council’s profitable state applications is what initially hooked me. I used to be despatched residence from school for the Covid-19 pandemic and as a substitute of taking distant courses for my total junior yr, I began trying to find internships associated to environmental coverage and ended up interning with ISPA and MRC. I discovered a ton and liked working with the federal government affairs and sustainability groups a lot that I returned for a second internship and later full-time employment after I graduated in 2022. They couldn’t do away with me!
BT: What’s one thing about ISPA that individuals won’t know?
MS: Enacting laws to function an MRC state program takes years and a ton of collaboration each internally and externally.
For instance, ISPA has been engaged on mattress recycling laws with stakeholders in Maryland since 2021. ISPA takes classes discovered from our MRC operations workforce and incorporates them into laws for brand new states. And not using a sturdy legislative basis, it’s extremely troublesome to function a statewide mattress recycling program.
BT: What is among the most enjoyable belongings you’ve completed since working for ISPA?
MS: I’m very pleased with ISPA’s 2024 Sustainability Convention. I felt it was our greatest but with a unbelievable lineup of audio system. Working with Kate Caddy, ISPA’s sustainability director, on the content material for ISPA’s previous three sustainability conferences is at all times one of many highlights of my yr. It has been rewarding watching how the ISPA sustainability convention has advanced over time, and I’m so excited for our 2025 convention in Atlanta Sept. 10-11.
BT: What’s a ebook, podcast or film that you simply loved lately you’d advocate to others?
MS: I firmly consider that “The Actual Housewives of Salt Lake Metropolis” is the very best present on tv. It has a very fascinating solid of characters, drama, stunning surroundings and even
a federal prison investigation. I additionally lately learn the ebook “Say Nothing: A True Story of Homicide and Reminiscence in Northern Eire” by Patrick Radden Keefe. I discovered the best way Radden Keefe structured the narrative compelling and an efficient option to method such an advanced, delicate subject.
