Carpet Group Releases Annual Report

In 2005 reported recycling and diversion of post- consumer carpet doubled from 2004, bringing the total amount of carpet diverted from landfill to 483.7 million pounds since CARE began tracking the information in 2002.

CARE's mission is to foster market-based solutions for recovering value from discarded carpet to meet the recycling and reuse goals set forth in the MOU. CARE has been charged with the task of providing an annual report on the progress of the goals set forth in the MOU which includes an ultimate 40 percent diversion rate of carpet to landfills by the year 2012.

The report also touched on a number of other accomplishments the group made in 2005, including:

The StarNet partnership, designed to implement a reclamation program for its members, which signals the start of a national collection system.

The Tricycle Inc. partnership that included CARE's new website design.

CARE expanding its sponsorship base with the addition of seven new sponsors in 2005.

The increase of attendees at the annual conference.

CARE initiated a Procurement Project in 2005 focused on development of specifications for use by federal, state and local procurement agencies. The aim is to help direct public monies toward the use of products containing post-consumer carpet.

The Carpet America Recovery Effort was selected as one of the "25 Environmental Champions for 2005" in a survey conducted by Interiors & Sources magazine.

In addition to the investment already noted, carpet mills continue to focus on both design of sustainable carpet products and also the incorporation of post- industrial, post-consumer, and bio-based components into their product systems.