carpet recycling in the uk
TRANSCRIPT
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: [email protected]
www.carpetrecyclinguk.com