February 2024

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Micro Grant Promotes Carpet Recycling in Underserved Area

Blue Water Recycling Corporation (BWRC), located in Alturas, was one of several California-based entities to receive a CARE micro grant of up to $15,000 in 2023. BWRC is also a new CARE public drop-off location serving rural Modoc County.

In January 2024 BWRC completed construction of a carport that will keep post-consumer carpet (PCC) clean and dry. With support from the Mattress Recycling Council, the site also accepts mattresses from the public.

According to BWRC management, there are several SB 535 communities – designated disadvantaged by CalEPA – in the surrounding area that benefit from the service, including Fort Bidwell Reservation, XL Ranch Rancheria and Alturas Rancheria. The next closest PCC drop-off location is approximately 120 miles away in Mt. Shasta or Susanville, which made it much more convenient to landfill PCC before the site opened to the public.

“As soon as the project began, we saw an influx of customer curiosity,” said Garrett Ingram, president of BWRC. “Being situated on Hwy 299, i.e. 12th Street, our facility changes were noticed immediately by the community. Many were not aware of carpet and mattress recycling even with our advertising efforts. Having the carport has not only served as protection from the elements but as advertising for the CARE and MRC programs.”

Bob Peoples Makes Trash Magic

CARE’s outreach extends beyond immediate stakeholders (retailers, recyclers, etc.) to include some education for general audiences.

In February, Executive Director Bob Peoples was the featured guest on the Trash Magic podcast, hosted by Oakley J-Fast, a chemical engineer, and Sara Fuentes, a waste and recycling expert. Bob discussed the importance of carpet recycling and what happens to recycled carpet, along with clearing up some misconceptions.

Listen to the episode here.

Innovation & Design Grant Application Deadline Extended

To further encourage applications, CARE is extending the application deadline for the current cycle of Innovation & Design grants to March 29, 2024. To apply and for more information, see the CARE grants page.

Conference Registration Now Open

The 22^nd CARE Annual Conference will take place May 7-8 at the Indianapolis Hilton Hotel & Suites in Indianapolis. The theme of the Conference, “Carpet Recycling: Chasing the Checkered Flag,” highlights recent developments in carpet recycling technology and opportunities that are moving carpet out of the waste stream to becoming a valued and sought-after input for manufacturing.

Confirmed speakers for the 22nd Annual Conference include Alli Chertack of the American Chemistry Council, Maria Field of Ascend Performance Materials, Kirsten Ritchie at Gensler, Melanie Taylor with the Synthetic Turf Council and Dr. Matthew Realff of Georgia Tech, among others. Additional speakers will be announced. See the full agenda here.

Registration for the Conference is open now…don’t delay!

New Assessment in Effect: Compliance Mandatory

Retailers are required by law to charge the current carpet assessment to all customers in the state. New rates went into effect on January 1, see the CARE Assessment web page. CalRecycle is regularly in the field to inspect retailers to check current practices. Failure to comply with the law could result in steep fines. To ensure compliance:

• All invoices must have the assessment clearly and correctly labeled as a separate line item.
• Retailers must purchase carpet from carpet manufacturers in compliance with the carpet stewardship law. See the list on the CalRecycle website here.
• Retailers are required by law to monitor CalRecycle’s website to determine if the sale of a manufacturer’s carpet is in compliance with the carpet stewardship law.
• Retailers must retain records for three years.

For more information see the Assessments page of the CARE website.

CarpetRecovery.org/CA