The Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) has released its annual survey results showing 224.6 million pounds of post-consumer carpet was diverted from landfills in 2005. The release of CARE’s Fourth Annual Report included survey results for 2005 which showed an increase of 108% from the amount reported diverted in 2004.
“I feel it will be significant that 2005 was the year we first starting seeing the fruits of our efforts,” said Robert Peoples, PhD, executive director of CARE, in announcing the survey results.
In 2005, reported recycling and diversion of post-consumer carpet doubled from 2004, bringing the total amount of carpet diverted from landfill to 483.7 million pounds since CARE started calculating the numbers in 2002. Of the total of 224.6 million pounds of post-consumer carpet reported to be diverted from landfill in 2005, 194.3 million pounds was reported being recycled. Compared to 2004, this represents a 97% increase in recycling.
“Aside from the known amount we have reported in 2005, we now see a path to demand in 2007 that adds an additional need for more than 400 million pounds of old carpet. I am forecasting another increase of greater than 100% for 2006 which would reinforce our belief that this new industry of carpet landfill diversion is well on its way and to meet our overall goals,” added Peoples.
“The numbers we have available to us today along with the known entities we are aware of that will increase our reported numbers next year are a clear indication we are on the verge of expansive growth. Optimism abounds in the task ahead and we have more confidence than ever before that we will meet, and perhaps surpass, our 40% diversion goal over time,” said Frank Hurd, Chairman of the Board for CARE.
The Annual Report is a key component of the annual monitoring in place to show progress toward the goals in the MOU. The report also offers updates on market development opportunities, quantities of discarded carpet diverted from landfills, successes and obstacles encountered, and related state and federal efforts. The data was compiled via a confidential survey administered by Weston Solutions.
Overall, CARE enjoyed its most productive year in 2005. By all measures, 2005 saw improvements in every area starting with total diversion.
In addition to the investment already noted, carpet mills continue to focus on both design of sustainable carpet products and also the incorporation of post- industrial, post-consumer, and bio-based components into their product systems. Much of this is driven by the desire to meet the dual objectives of end of life management and recycle content as embodied in the ANSI Draft Sustainable Carpet Assessment Standard, NSF 140- 2005.
