Carpet
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Carpet

Carpet is a composite product made from face fibers that are bonded to primary and secondary backing material, usually with an adhesive. The most common face fibers are nylon, polypropylene ("Olefin"), polyester ("PET"), and wool. Most carpet materials are durable with a life span of five to ten years. According to the Carpet and Rug Institute, industry shipments in 2003 totaled 17,721 billion square feet.

Disposal and environmental impact

In 2002, approximately 4.7 billion pounds of carpet was discarded, accounting for about 1 percent of all municipal solid waste by weight. The industry estimates that only 3.8 percent of that waste was either re-used or recycled and broken down into materials for use in producing new carpet, plastics, new backing, and new padding. (See the USEPA “Product Stewardship” site under “web resources,” below.) The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) estimates that 125,000 tons of carpet pad waste are generated annually in the United States, primarily from residential re-carpeting.

In 2002, the carpet industry signed an agreement with the USEPA, setting goals to increase the reuse and recycling of carpet. This “Memorandum of Understanding for Carpet Stewardship” sets the goals for 20 to 25 percent recycling and 3 to 5 percent reuse by 2012. (Again, see USEPA site for more.)

The most reusable part of the carpet is the non-fiber material that comes from the padding or backing. The carpeting, both from commercial and residential sites, is usually landfilled. The biggest problem is that the carpet facing is made out of different fibers, and most carpet recyclers only accept particular types.

 

 

 

 

Recycling and reuse options

Most of the major carpet producers are located in the southeastern United States. Some large businesses or institutions may have the resources to set up a carpet-recycling program, where the carpeting is collected and shipped back to manufacturers. But individual consumers in Illinois have few drop-off options. However, here are some other ideas:

Find an installer who offers reclamation services with installation. One national service is offered by INVISTA, an international producer and marketer of textile materials, in conjunction with several major carpet manufacturers. (NOTE: there will be an added cost up front to cover shipping the material either to a collection facility or a mill). To participate, ask the carpet dealer to include a “reclamation specification” when ordering new carpet. The Dupont Corporation has specifics on its web site; see below for link.

Ask your dealer about carpet refurbishment. Materials may be taken back for cleaning, fiber replacement, dyeing, or other types of enhancement.

Look for carpet dealers and installers who take back used pad for recycling. Generally, the dealer receives a per pound discount on its next order of pad in exchange for the old padding.

Web resources
Dupont Antron (Click on “sustainability”)
USEPA “Product Stewardship”