Differential Assessments

California Carpet Stewardship Program Differential Assessment

Carpet Assessment Changes Coming in 2027

CalRecycle has conditionally approved CARE’s proposed changes to the carpet recycling assessment structure, but is requiring CARE to make revisions before the changes can take effect. As a result, implementation of the new assessment structure will be delayed. CARE expects the revised assessment to take effect no earlier than April 1, 2027, pending CalRecycle’s review and approval.

Per the notice “The resubmittal must demonstrate a clear mechanism enabling retailers, wholesalers, and producers to determine and charge the correct assessment amounts,”

CARE has until November 13, 2026 to submit a revised proposal addressing CalRecycle’s requirements.

View the proposed amendment and CalRecycle’s response.

Carpet Assessment Increased on February 1, 2025

As approved by CalRecycle on December 23, 2024: the Carpet Differential Assessment increased on February 1, 2025.

California carpet legislation requires CARE to implement a differential assessment on each square yard of carpet that reflects its cost burden 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. This increase is necessary to ensure this continued support of the carpet recycling industry in California. The new levels are:

Stakeholders have been alerted.

About

California passed 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 current assessment amount ensures 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 for any product, broadloom or tile, that has 10% or more certified PC content.

Have more questions? Please contact us at (706) 428-2127.

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. See requirements.
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.

If you are aware of a retailer that is not in compliance, please let CARE know by completing the Assessment Compliance form here.

Feedback may be sent directly to CARE via email to Feedback@CarpetRecovery.org; please copy CalRecycle at Carpet@CalRecycle.ca.gov.