Carpet Recycling UK reports an increase in landfill diversion of carpet waste

According to Carpet Recycling UK, 2018 saw the volume of carpet waste diverted from landfill in the UK increase to 175,252 tonnes reused, recycled or recovered for energy in 2018.

Overall, the amount of waste diverted last year was 7,252 tonnes more than 2017, the not for profit membership association reports. 

Energy recovery accounted for 65% of the total and a reduction of 10,087 tonnes from 2017. Reuse and recycling of waste carpet was up by 19,338 tonnes on 2017 to 61,338 tonnes, representing 35% of the total.

CRUK Scheme Manager Adnan Zeb-Khan noted that CRUK’s retailer and flooring contractor membership has increased as more companies recognise cost savings and sustainability impacts for their businesses. “They appreciate the help from our Core Funders to improve their results, in many cases saving thousands of pounds per year,” he commented.

Consistent awareness and interest in recycling carpet waste resulted in around 620 wide-ranging enquiries received by the CRUK team in 2018. 

Last year’s fifth annual Carpet Recycling Awards celebrated innovations developed by specialist carpet reuse and recycling members across a wide range of categories, including recovering value from carpet manufacturers’ and distributors’ waste to create new flooring products.

Adnan concludes: “We are making progress towards our target of 60% landfill diversion by 2020 and are proud of what we have achieved in our first decade. With strong commitment and support from all our Core Funders, members and the supply chain, we will continue to work tirelessly towards our sustainability goals.”

In 2019, Carpet Recycling UK plans to focus on increasing support from membership across the flooring sector as the 2020 target approaches – equivalent to 240,000 tonnes landfill diversion of carpet waste. The organisation will also promote increased recycled content in textile flooring and ‘circular production’ practices.