Resources / Links

1. Background
2. Recycling
3. Remanufacturing/Reuse
4. Procurement/Purchasing and Care
5. Associations
6. Product Stewardship
7. State-Level Resources

Background

Carpet Take-Back: EPR American Style (Autumn 2000) Bette K. Fishbein, INFORM, Inc.

This article provides a broad overview of the carpet industry and its early efforts to voluntarily take back waste carpeting. The article and its research pre-date the National Agreement on Carpet Recycling, but it gives some insight into the carpet industry and its members’ motivations for increasing recovery of carpet waste.

Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: Facts and Figures U.S. EPA

This annual report describes the waste stream in the U.S. based on data collected since 1960. The accuracy of the data on carpet discards and recycling has been questioned, but there is no other study that offers a national perspective or data. The figures do provide a useful historical perspective that is useful for establishing trends in types of municipal solid waste (MSW) generated and in the ways that MSW is managed.

Technical Information on Carpet Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI)

Facts About the Carpet Industry
In addition to industry data, CRI offers pages on “Carpet and the Environment” and a “Carpet Primer” which provides details on the fundamentals of carpet — how it is made, specified, installed and maintained.

Carpet Industry Sustainability Report Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI)

CRI surveys its members to demonstrate the carpet industry’s efforts to ensure environmental stewardship. The results showcase the carpet industry’s environmental efforts, from improvements in manufacturing to the development of solutions to carpet’s end-of-use-life issues.

Recycling

Ansonylon
C&A Floorcovering’s Infinity Initiative
Antron® Carpet Fiber
Interface ReEntry
Los Angeles Fiber Company
Mohawk – Greenworks
Recycle Florida Today (RFT)
Shaw Industries – Evergreen Nylon Recycling

Remanufacturing/Reuse

Milliken Earth Square

Procurement/Purchasing and Care

Environmentally Preferable Products Procurement Program – Carpet & Flooring Products & Services Commonwealth of Massachusetts

The Environmentally Preferable Products Procurement Program (EP4) has posted information on carpet, as well as the Massachusetts state contract for carpet and flooring. This details the products and services offered, including recycling.

Environmentally Responsible Carpet Choices King County Environmental Purchasing Program

This site offers comprehensive information on recycled-content carpet and backing, carpet maintenance, recycling old carpet, and carpet leasing.

Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines U.S. EPA

Purchasing recommendations for recycled-content polyester carpet for light- and moderate-wear applications.

Carpet Waste Prevention Strategies INFORM, Inc.

This fact sheet provides strategies for purchasing, maintaining, and recycling carpet to minimize waste and pollution.

Floor Coverings – 353 kb Green Seal (posted with permission from Green Seal)

This January 1999 issue of the Choose Green Report includes useful information about carpet construction, fiber types and dyeing. Maintenance is also discussed, including tips on cleaning and repair.

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guide Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board

Aimed primarily at government purchasers, this section on carpet offers guidance on selecting carpeting and flooring.

Carpet Care & Cleaning Carpet and Rug Institute

Proper, consistent carpet maintenance is critical to extend carpet life and appearance, as well as maintain a healthy indoor environment.

Safe & Effective Carpet Cleaning Janitorial Products Pollution Prevention Project

A successful maintenance program will feature the products suited to the work, and will thoroughly train janitors in proper cleaning methods to prevent pollution. Set up a maintenance program that takes care of carpet needs throughout their useful life.

Related Associations

American Plastics Council – Recycled Plastic Products and Markets Databases
Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials (ASTSWMO)
Carpet Recycling UK – Carpet Recycling UK is a trade association which works to increase the recycling of carpets across the UK.
The Carpet and Rug Institute
Carpet Cushion Council
INFORM – an independent, non-profit research organization that examines the effects of business practices on the environment and on human health. INFORM’s goal is to identify ways of doing business that ensure environmentally sustainable economic growth.
Northeast Recycling CouncilGet the Facts, Not the Fiction: A Seminar on How to Effectively Assist Recycling Entrepreneurs (for financiers – public and private – includes a detailed briefing on how recycling companies work and what types of financing they need)
Northeast Recycling Investment Forum (where recycling companies present their business plan to potential investors)

Product Stewardship

Product stewardship means that all parties involved in designing, manufacturing, selling and using a product take responsibility for environmental impacts at every stage of that product’s life.

Deconstruction Institute – Turning the waste stream into a profit stream

Georgia

Pollution Prevention Assistance Division
Georgia Recycling Markets Directory (Georgia Department of Community Affairs)

Massachusetts

Department of Environmental Protection
Recycling
Waste Ban Regulations

Minnesota

Office of Environmental Assistance

North Carolina

Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance
Commodity Profile – Textiles: Carpet & Carpet Pad 1998 (164 KB)
Recycling Business Assistance Center – Recycling Markets
Recycling Business Assistance Center – Equipment Links

Washington

Where to recycle carpet (and other building materials) in Seattle-King County: “What do I do with carpet?”
Seattle-King County: Carpet Information
Construction Recycling Directory (1.05 MB)
Carpet – Environmental Purchasing (includes recycling)

All States

EPA Jobs Through Recycling (JTR) Program – “The JTR program brings together the economic development and recycling communities through grants, networking, and information sharing. Through JTR, EPA supports projects designed to enhance business development, technical assistance, and financing efforts for recycling-related industries. [The JTR] web site provides recycling market development information for state and local officials, sources of technical and financial assistance for recycling businesses, and general information for visitors interested in learning more about JTR.”

State profiles – information on recycling market development programs in the 50 states