Established to address concerns about rising carpet waste, the Midwestern Workgroup on Carpet Recycling issued the National Agreement on Carpet Recycling.

This memorandum of understanding between the carpet industry and government establishes a ten-year plan to reduce the land disposal of waste carpet, with emphasis on a series of increasing goals for recycling and reuse. The carpet industry has created the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE), a third-party organization it funds and manages. CARE will be responsible for meeting the goals set forth in the national agreement while monitoring, assessing and reporting on progress.

Model procurement guidelines for carpet are also in development. Public entities nationwide will adopt these guidelines, which will reward companies offering environmentally preferable products.

For further information, visit the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency web site or call (651) 296-6300. Many manufacturers take back carpet for recycling. Ask your supplier about manufacturer recycling programs when purchasing carpet. For disposal assistance, contact your trash hauler.

Carpet Padding

See Polyurethane Foam.