The market for carpet recovery is still relatively new.
Because carpet is made to withstand decades of heavy foot traffic, the breakdown process presents challenges that make it difficult to recycle. Investment from key players and subsidies is driving the market to improve.
At the center of post-carpet recovery is Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE), an organization working to spearhead carpet recycling in California. CARE recently awarded $1.14 million in grants toward infrastructure improvements for collection, processing and manufacturing into end products.
On this week's Stef Talks Trash, Editorial Director Stefanie Valentic and CARE Executive Director Bob Peoples discuss the challenges that come with carpet recycling, extended producer responsibility and how California's carpet recovery program is a case study for other states and countries.