The annual report is a key component of the annual monitoring in place to show progress toward the goals in the MOU. The report also offers updates on market development opportunities, quantities of discarded carpet diverted from landfills, successes and obstacles encountered, and related state and federal efforts. The data was compiled via a confidential survey administered by Weston Solutions and the report can also be found in its entirety on the CARE website.
Overall CARE enjoyed its most productive year in 2005. By all measures 2005 saw improvements in every area starting with total diversion. Aside from the diversion rate reported, the annual report also featured some of the key accomplishments for the organization in 2005 including:
StarNet partnership to implement a reclamation program for its members, which signals the start of a national collection system.
Tricycle Inc., partnership which included CARE’s new website design.
CARE continues to expand our annual sponsorship base in terms of new participants, including seven new sponsors in 2005.
The increase of attendees at the annual conference.
The increase in attendance at the fall entrepreneur meeting in which 50% of the entrepreneur participants at the November 2005 conference were new to CARE.
CARE initiated a Procurement Project in 2005 focused on development of specifications for use by federal, state and local procurement agencies. The aim is to help direct public monies toward the use of products containing post-consumer carpet.
The Carpet America Recovery Effort was selected as one of the “25 Environmental Champions for 2005" in a survey conducted by Interiors & Sources magazine.
CARE hired its second employee (part-time) to help manage CARE’s growth.
In addition to the investment already noted, carpet mills continue to focus on both design of sustainable carpet products and also the incorporation of post- industrial, post-consumer, and bio-based components into their product systems. Much of this is driven by the desire to meet the dual objectives of end of life management and recycle content as embodied in the ANSI Draft Sustainable Carpet Assessment Standard, NSF 140- 2005.
