Hot off the press, CARE’s Annual
Report to CalRecycle! Now on its 8th quarter as the Carpet
Stewardship Organization approved by CalRecycle to manage AB2398, CARE is
pleased to announce that data clearly indicates an increase in carpet being
diverted from landfills but an increase in recycling as well. Specifically, 14%
of the PCC stream is being recycled, 2% above the 2012 goal of 12%.
Recycled Output by Type as a Percent of Diversion
CARE Annual Report to CalRecycle, 2013 |
Reuse on the other hand remains low (0.14% of PCC stream) and is not expected to grow in the coming years. Increasing recycling and reuse are in essence the products of the other three interrelated goals of AB2398, namely:
1. Increasing the inherent recyclability
of carpets
2. Diverting post-consumer carpet
from landfills
3. Market growth of secondary
products made from post-consumer carpet
With respect to market-growth of
secondary products, roughly 25% (and growing) of the diverted carpet stream is
PET. Due to polyester’s limitations in some of its physical and chemical
properties, it does not currently have as wide a scope of market outlets as
Nylon 6 or 66. However, CARE is diligently working with the recycling community
and organizations on the development of new products and processes for this
increasingly common fiber. Specifically, as approved by the Sustainable Fund
Operating Committee (SFOC) during the June 2013 review, CARE will hire an
individual to be “boots on the ground” in California and to work tackle
opportunities for recycling non-nylon materials including PET. Some other plans
looking forward for AB2398 include implementing a bonus incentive for Type 1
recycled output.
Check out future posts for a
spotlight on organizations leading the way on PCC recycling. Until then, please
refer to CARE’S hot off the press annual report to CalRecycle to get the latest
information on AB2398; milestones, hurdles and more.