Q3 2023 financial and operational results for CARE’s California Carpet Stewardship Program have been published. Executive Director Bob Peoples reported that the ongoing decline in carpet sales, combined with other external challenges, led to a decline in the Recycling Rate for carpet to 33 percent. This is the first drop in the rate in over seven years.
The slowdown in the residential sector – which makes up about 86% of sales – continues to impact the collection of carpet. In addition, the pad markets, while not covered by the carpet stewardship law, have collapsed, putting further financial pressure on recyclers.