UK Carpet Recycling Group Steps Up Efforts

Worcester, England, Oct. 13, 2010--Leading carpet manufacturers have significantly strengthened their commitment and financial support to Carpet Recycling UK and its creation of a fully-funded industry body to meet the industry target of 25% landfill diversion by 2015.

Renewed focus by the 14 CRUK manufacturing members includes developing more outlets for carpet recycling in the UK, as well as increasing the uptake of carpet recycling generally.

Nearly half a million tons of carpet waste go to landfill in the UK each year. Only 5% is currently diverted from landfill.

The renewed emphasis includes regional networking meetings, entrepreneur events, trials and government lobbying for a more favorable recycling environment.

Managed by Axion Consulting, Carpet Recycling UK is an industry-backed association at the forefront of research and development into new methods for recycling and reusing carpet.

Axion’s CRUK Co-ordinator Jane Gardner said, “Increased effort by the UK carpet sector to boost recycling rates reflects its commitment to tackling this waste stream and its environmental impact. By taking positive action and working together to divert carpet waste from landfill, carpet manufacturers and their supply chain are demonstrating a real desire to recover a largely-ignored, yet recyclable material."

“Increasing the landfill diversion rate five-fold - from 5% to 25% - in just five years will be a challenge; but one that CRUK is certainly committed to achieving.”

The Carpet Recycling UK carpet manufacturing members are Abingdon, Balsan, Brintons, Brockway, Cormar, Desso, Ege, Forbo, J & J Invision, Milliken, Mohawk, Penthouse, Quadrant and Vorwerk. In the past year, there has been a major increase in UK carpet waste diverted from landfill--a total of 26,000 tons, up 20% on 2008/2009 figures.

This has been matched by a rise in recycling and waste processing outlets, from six in 2008 to 16 this year, with a forecast of 30 to be in place by the end of 2010.