Carpet associations introduce voluntary product stewardship program

The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), which is focused on educating customers and the industry on carpet, and Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE), an organization focused on advancing market-based solutions for post-consumer carpet, have introduced a voluntary product stewardship (VPS) program to assist sorters of postconsumer carpet diverted from landfills.

The two organizations, both based in Dalton, Georgia, say the VPS program is market-based and has been designed to accept and manage all applicable post-consumer carpet, regardless of polymer type or primary materials or construction. The program’s goal is to provide financial assistance to qualified domestic sorters who divert postconsumer carpet from landfills.

“CRI is pleased to offer financial support for the VPS program," says Dan Frierson, chairman of CRI. "Our members are participating voluntarily as part of our government relations activities, and have committed $4.5 million for the program's initial year. The VPS program will be a bridge for sorters as new technologies and applications are developed to increase market-driven demand for all postconsumer carpet.”

Since 2002, CARE members have diverted more than 3.25 billion pounds of carpet from U.S. landfills.

“The VPS program is the key next step in our mission to divert more carpet from U.S. landfills,” says Brendan McSheehy, CARE chairman. “Sorters may use funds from the program to partner with their customers to divert carpet and recycle carpet back into useful consumer products, such as recycled carpet fiber, carpet cushion, broadloom, carpet tiles and a wide range of plastic products.”

The VPS program is scheduled for launch in January 2015. Sorters who qualify for financial assistance should start to receive funds by the end of June 2015.

Sorters may qualify for funds by completing all required documents and submitting quarterly reports on their business results to CARE. The organization will be conducting a series of webinars beginning in December 2014 to help sorters understand the eligibility process.

For more information on the program, click here.