CARE Raises Point of Sale Assessment for Carpet in CA to $0.25/YD

Dalton, GA, October 4, 2016—Effective January 1, 2017, all carpet sold and/or shipped in California is required to be assessed at $0.25 per square yard at the point of sale. This is an increase from the current $0.20 per square yard. 

CARE is the non-profit 501(c)3 organization serving as the legislatively designated Carpet Stewardship Organization (CSO) for the California Carpet Stewardship Program. The purpose of the law (AB 2398) is to increase the diversion and recycling of carpet in the state of California. 

The funding collected from the assessment is directed to: 

* A set of incentives for processors and collectors involved in the recycling of post consumer carpet. These incentive payouts significantly increased in 2016.

* A new grant program to facilitate capital investment in new/expanded processing capacity as well as product development and testing. CARE has awarded $2 million in grants in 2016. 

* Recycled carpet product procurement grants, totaling $500,000, are being offered this year.

* Establishing at least one carpet drop-off site in every county in California by July 2017.

* Ongoing marketing/education/outreach to retailers, installers and consumers. 

* Market development efforts.

All of these efforts are critical to growing market outlets and increasing diversion from landfill, as mandated by AB 2398. CARE is seeing a steady increase in recycled pounds and expects dramatic growth in payouts beginning in 2017. To meet financial obligations to make these payouts, it is necessary to collect additional funds through the assessment.