Carpet Recycling UK reduces landfill by 30%

Now for a recycling success story that really does take some beating.

Carpet Recycling UK has reported that the diversion of carpet waste from landfill has increased by 30 per cent in the last year.

In the last 12 months new reuse, recycling and energy recovery outlets for waste carpet and carpet tiles saw 85,000 tonnes of waste carpet avoid going to landfill..

CRUK Director Laurence Bird said these achievements are testament to sustained efforts across the entire supply chain in capturing rising waste tonnages, plus commitment to developing new outlets and markets for all types of carpet waste.

“New recycling opportunities are continuing to emerge as growing awareness is matched by practical endeavour, so it’s a positive story,” said Laurence. He added that while an estimated 78.6% of end-of-life carpet still ends up in landfill, the company’s goals for 2013 would continue to drive higher carpet recycling rates through a number of initiatives, including local authority encouragement on segregation.

Councils will be an important focus after CRUK research showed the significant contribution that separating carpet waste at Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) could make to diverting waste from landfill.