UK carpet landfill diversion hits 16%

Carpet Recycling UK (CRUK) reports that 16.5% of all of the carpet waste of its member companies was diverted from landfill in 2011.

This is a signifcant increase on the 10% diversion rate reported for 2010 and represents solid progress towards CRUK’s 25% by 2015 target.

The diverted 66,000 tonnes was split fairly evenly between recycling and reuse (32,000 tonnes) and energy recovery (34,000 tonnes), but the proportion sent for recycling and reuse has grown from 33% to 48% in 2011 with the development of more outlets.

“It’s a fantastic achievement and testament to the on-going commitment and consistent efforts of all throughout the supply chain,” says Laurance Bird, director of CRUK. “It's encouraging to see the growth in the use of carpet fibres for equestrian surfaces and nonwoven felts, with 32 specialist outlets now contributing to these total diversion routes.”
Greater press coverage has also built awareness of opportunities for carpet recycling.

“CRUK’s marketing activities at Ecobuild, the Spring Flooring Show and Harrogate Floor Show have gained attention and enquiries from waste management companies and local authorities rose by 50% during 2011.”

In March, Carpet Recycling UK will be returning to Ecobuild 2012 in London to present an seminar programme featuring the latest developments in the reuse of carpet fibres.

The seminar, to be held on Thursday 22nd March, will feature three sessions with eight speakers covering recent innovations including design for recycling and uses of carpet fibres in construction products.

Of particular interest will be a presentation by textile company Aquafil whose success in recycling nylon yarn is opening up exciting new opportunities for manufacturers to incorporate post consumer carpet yarn waste into new flooring products, achieving the much sought after goal of ‘closing the loop’ and allowing a continuous cycle of fibre reuse.