Quarter Seven Of Ab2398 Reveals Continued Success

Hot off the press, CARE’s Annual Report to CalRecycle! Now on its 8^th 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.