Per Yard Assessment Fee for California Carpet Sales Doubled

Sacramento, CA, January 28, 2016—The Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) and CalRecycle announced an updated assessment fee of $0.20 per square yard on all carpet sold or shipped in California, effective April 1. The rate is an increase from the previous assessment of $0.10 per square yard, to be collected as a non-tax item at the point of sale, throughout the sale and distribution chain, to the final customer.

"The assessment increase is necessary to offset the negative impact recent market developments have had on carpet recovery efforts and carpet recycling infrastructure in California," said CARE's executive director Dr. Robert Peoples. These developments include the tremendous drop in crude oil prices in 2015, by over 60% since mid 2014. Since crude oil is the feedstock for virgin synthetic materials, lower oil prices have put the production of recycled post-consumer carpet fiber at a disadvantage compared to virgin materials.

Funds raised by the assessment will be paid out to qualifying recyclers as increased subsidies to help them stay competitive. In addition to increased subsidies, CARE will use the assessment funds for a newly implemented grants program to encourage investment in carpet recycling facilities and accelerate the development and marketing of products made from recycled carpet fiber. "

Since July 1, 2011, all California carpet manufacturers and retailers have been required under carpet stewardship law AB 2398 to add an assessment fee onto all carpet sold in the state. The law is designed to increase landfill diversion and recycling of post-consumer carpet generated in California. CARE administers the California Carpet Stewardship Program, which is charged with meeting the requirements for carpet recycling set by AB 2398.