California Carpet Stewardship Program Differential Assessment
NOTICE: The Carpet Differential Assessment increased on April 1, 2023.
By email dated March 17, 2023, CalRecycle directed CARE to increase the carpet differential assessment effective April 1, 2023. This increase is necessary to ensure the financial health of the carpet recycling industry in California.
California passed additional carpet legislation that went into effect January 1, 2020 (AB 729) that requires CARE to implement a differential assessment on each square yard of carpet that reflects its cost to recycle. The assessment funds the subsidies for collection, processing and recycling of carpet and carpet tile, along with technical assistance, drop-off site support and education/outreach. The April 1, 2023 increase is necessary to ensure this continued support of the carpet recycling industry in California.
Differential assessments are based on two factors:
1. Broadloom vs. tile. All broadloom (residential and commercial) is treated the same.
2. Carpet products containing post-consumer (PC) content. This requirement is reflected in the assessment being reduced by 2 cents/yd2 for any product, broadloom or tile, that has 10% or more certified PC content.
Assessment levels as of April 1, 2023:
Assessment Compliance
Retailers are required by law to charge the current carpet assessment to all customers in the state. CalRecycle periodically inspects retailers to check current practices. To ensure compliance:
- All invoices must have the assessment clearly and correctly labeled as a separate line item.
- Retailers must purchase carpet from carpet manufacturers in compliance with the carpet stewardship law. See the list on the CalRecycle website here.
- Retailers are required by law to monitor CalRecycle’s internet website to determine if the sale of a manufacturer’s carpet is in compliance with the carpet stewardship law.
- Retailers must retain records for three years.
Please see the Retailer Compliance section for details.
Feedback may be sent directly to CARE via email to Feedback@CarpetRecovery.org; please copy CalRecycle at Carpet@CalRecycle.ca.gov.
Differential Assessment Resources
Letter Advising of April 1 Increase (March 2023)
Differential Assessment Frequently Asked Questions (March 2023)
How to Add the Assessment to Customer Invoices (March 2023)
Carpet Differential Assessment: Talking Points for Sales Staff (March 2023)
Point of Sale Sign (March 2023)
Customer brochure (March 2023)