CARE 2013 annual report charts progress

[Dalton] The Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) recently released its 2013 Annual Report showing a 52 percent increase in U.S. post-consumer carpet collections from 2012. CARE Partners, which include carpet manufacturers, recyclers and non-governmental organizations, were responsible for diverting 534 million pounds of carpet from landfills in 2013. Since 2002, more than 3.25 billion pounds of post-consumer carpet have been diverted from landfills, according to the company.

Bob Peoples, CARE’s executive director, was notably positive about the report, saying, “CARE has once again experienced a dynamic year in terms of challenges and accomplishments. Our programs are growing more sophisticated, resulting in significant progress in accounting for the diversion of post-consumer carpet from landfills in 2013."

Other major developments in 2013 include: an 87 percent increase in post-consumer carpet being recycled into carpet face fiber; 25 percent increase of carpet being recycled into carpet backing; nylon fiber types represented 52 percent of the collection stream; polyester collection grew to 34 percent of the collection stream; the amount of carpet reused increased from 5 to 12 million pounds.

"I look forward to seeing the positive changes made as our organization navigates and adapts to the changing landscape of our industry," said Brendan McSheehy, CARE board of directors chairman.