carpet recycling in the uk

Carpet Recycling in

the UK

Recovering value from carpet

fibres

June 2017

Carpet Recycling UK

• Voluntary producer

responsibility scheme

for the carpet sector

• 99 members from

across the supply

chain

Core Funders, Manufacturers

Buying Groups

Retailers/ Contractors

Recyclers

Reuse

Technology Providers

Others

Raw material suppliers

Carpet Recycling UK remit

Outlets

Collection

Making Connections

Raising awareness

Research

Redesign

The industry’s challenges

400,000 tonnes a year

400,000 tonnes/yr

Carpet arises from

• Household waste recycling centres:

– Often wet and mixed construction.

• Construction projects:

– Can be sorted on site

• Strip out or flooring contactors:

• Separate

• Retailers:

– Take back materials from customers

Carpets are made from

valuable resources

Synthetic fibres Wool fibres

Bitumen Synthetic latex

Breakdown of carpet waste

by type

Post industrial, 8000t

Post installation,

16000t

Mixed Synthetics,

56%

Wool rich, 25%

Carpet Tiles, 13%

Post consumer, 376000t

Recycling challenges

• Mix of construction types

• Short fibre length

• Presence of latex as a bonding agent

Woven carpet construction Tufted carpet construction

Achievements

UK Carpet Landfill Diversion

2007 - 2016

2%3%

5%

10%

16%

21%

27%28%

31%

35%

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Breakdown by application

Equestrian18%

Fibre Recovery2%

Plastic Recovery2%

Reuse Tile1%

Recovered fuels41%

Incineration for energy recovery

36%

Working with the waste

hierarchy

Prevent

Reuse

Recycle

Energy from Waste

Landfill

Outlets

ReuseUnderlay/Mattress

padsPlastic recovery

Fibre based equestrian surfaces EfW

Reuse and Recycling

Network

• 19 outlets:

o 7 reuse organisations

o 12 recyclers & fuel

flock specialists

Key Drivers

Landfill Tax

• Landfill tax from April 1st 2017 =

£86.10/tonne

• Average cost including gate fee and

transport £140/t

• Drive to save money by recycling

UK Landfill Tax 1996-2018

£7 £7 £7£10 £11 £12 £13 £14 £15

£18£21

£24

£32

£40

£48

£56

£64

£72

£80£83

£84£86

£89

Circular economy

Design,

manufacture

Retailer

Consumer/

LA

Reuse, repair,recycle

Recycling sector Circular

economy

Tile Reuse

Reuse case study

• Greenstream

Flooring, Cardiff

• Collection and

grading of carpet tiles

• Resale of tiles

• Creates UK jobs for

disadvantaged

people– supporting

social values

Keeping carpet out of general waste

stream optimises end of life potential

Anglo Recycling circular

story

Installation off - cuts Collection Baling

Underlay Felt

Further developments

• Trials into recovering plastic from carpet

• Designing recyclable carpet:

oDSM/Niaga 100% recyclable carpet

• Find out more at our annual conference:

Summary

• Diversion of carpets from landfill has

increased from 2% to 35% since 2008

• Carpet Recycling UK is working with its

members to achieve highest value outlets

• Further research and development needed

to further circular economy in the sector

Many Thanks

Tudor House

Meadway

Bramhall

Stockport

SK7 2DG

Tel : +44 161 440 8325

Fax: +44 161 426 7732

Email: info@carpetrecyclinguk.com

www.carpetrecyclinguk.com