The California Carpet Stewardship Program has surpassed its annual carpet recycling goal for the second year in a row, the Dalton, Georgia-based Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) reports.
The new data released by the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) show the program achieved a 35.1 percent recycling rate in 2023, surpassing its target goal of 31 percent. This achievement is attributed to collaborative efforts between the carpet industry and the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle).
“As significant contributors to carpet recycling in California, The CRI and our members are encouraged by the ongoing accomplishments of the California Carpet Stewardship Program,” CRI President Russ DeLozier says. “The continued growth is a clear indication of the valuable collaboration among carpet manufacturers, retailers, installers and consumers to promote the responsible disposal and recycling of carpet.
“The CRI, representing carpet manufacturing industry nationwide, remains engaged with CARE and the recycling industry to fulfill California’s legislative and environmental objectives in carpet recycling and continue to exceed the goals of the program. We also are committed to advocating for market-based solutions for postconsumer recycling, which support our environment, industry and consumers.”
The 2023 program successfully:
- exceeded recycling rate target at 35.1 percent versus a goal of 31 percent for the year;
- met 12 of 13 goals and hit 95 percent of Goal 13—recycling efficiency;
- ensured 75 percent of total subsidies were paid in state to California-based recyclers;
- ensured 79 percent of all recycled pounds were generated in California;
- exceeded 1.3 billion pounds in cumulative gross collections in California;
- created more than 200 carpet recycling jobs in California;
- ensured more than $154,000,000 in total subsidies have been paid to recyclers.
CRI says the accomplishments of the Carpet Stewardship Program are a result of expanding awareness among all stakeholders to increase knowledge of drop-off sites, ultimately enhancing accessibility for California residents and encouraging proper disposal practices.
