California Carpet Assessment to Rise in January

Dalton, GA, November 29, 2023-Differential assessments currently charged on all carpet sold in California will increase on January 1, 2024. 

California law requires CARE, as the carpet stewardship organization for the state, to implement a differential assessment on each square yard of carpet sold that reflects its cost burden to recycle. The assessment increase was requested by CARE on September 30 and approved by CalRecycle on November 17. Carpet retailers in California should prepare now for the increase that will go into effect on January 1.

CARE’s differential assessment plan is based on two factors: 1) carpet material, as in broadloom vs. tile, and 2) percent of post-consumer content, as in greater than or equal to 10% post-consumer content, and less than 10% post-consumer content. The new assessment amounts will replace the current amounts that went into effect on April 1, 2023:

* Broadloom with greater than or equal to 10% post-consumer carpet rises from $0.56 to $0.68 /square yard

* Broadloom with less than 10% post-consumer carpet rises from $0.58 to $0.70 /square yard, a 21% increase

* Carpet tile with greater than or equal to 10% post-consumer carpet rises from $0.71 to $0.97/square yard.

* Carpet tile with less than 10% post-consumer carpet rises from $0.73 to $0.99 /square yard, a 36% increase.

Carpet retailers in the state are advised to begin preparing immediately for the point of purchase changes that will be needed to collect the correct, updated assessment from customers. Carpet mills are responsible for advising retailers on which products qualify in terms of post-consumer content. CARE will continue to supply point of purchase material as well as training support materials for sales staff. Retailers are encouraged to visit the CARE website for the latest developments.

The California carpet stewardship legislation (AB 2398, 1159 and 729) is designed to find ways to incentivize the growth of carpet reclamation and recycling and still allow the market to work. The law (AB 2398) generates funding to meet its stated goals through the assessment on all carpet sold in California. California consumers pay the assessment when they buy carpet. Those monies then support CARE’s efforts, including subsidies paid to recyclers, grants to expand capacity and collection, technical assistance, market development and outreach to increase carpet recycling in California.