New BPS Backings Using Post-Consumer Waste

Los Angeles, CA, Nov. 2, 2009--Bentley Prince Street said it has just moved a few steps closer to “closing the loop” entirely on its products through the introduction of new sustainable backing technologies for both its broadloom and carpet tile products.

Both High PerformancePC, the company’s new standard broadloom backing, and SelectRC, its new standard hard-back carpet tile backing, incorporate recycled and reprocessed carpet backing into new carpet backing.

All manufacturing processes for both backings are performed in the company’s California headquarters, eliminating the need for additional transportation.

“Ultimately, our goal is to re-use everything that goes into our products from existing materials," said president Anthony Minite.

"While we’re not there yet, this is an important milestone in our journey to becoming a completely sustainable enterprise by the year 2020.”

SelectRC carpet tile backing initially will contain 30% post-consumer recycled content derived from repurposed carpet backing.  However, as carpet tiles using SelectRC reach their end of life in future years, thermoplastic technology enables them to be recycled back into new 100% post-consumer recycled content backing..

High PerformancePC broadloom backing uses latex carpet backing that is recycled and reprocessed into carpet backing for all Bentley Prince Street standard broadloom products.  Backing materials not used in Bentley Prince Street’s processes are returned to the supply stream for use in other industries.

In addition, all latex used in Bentley Prince Street’s carpet backing is manufactured using electricity made renewable through the purchase of green-e certified renewable energy credits (RECs) from solar, wind and methane gas. 

The company also said that its Easy Street collection is the company’s first product manufactured with post-consumer recycled content yarn, with up to 10% post-consumer recycled content fiber and at least 17% post-industrial recycled content fiber.