July 2023

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Circular Polymers Launches Cerene^TM Materials

Circular Polymers by Ascend has launched Cerene^™, a line of recycled polymers and materials made from the company’s proprietary carpet reclaiming technology. Cerene^TM is available as polyamide 6 and 66, PET, polypropylene and calcium carbonate as a consistent, sustainable feedstock for many applications, including molding and compounding. CARE grantee Circular Polymers by Ascend converts post-consumer carpet into fiber and pellets. The company uses a proprietary process in its California-based facilities to achieve unparalleled efficiency in recycling, successfully providing a new life for virtually every component of the carpet and backing. The company has redirected 85 million pounds of carpet from landfills into new goods since 2018.

Read more.

New Drop-Off Sites Welcomed

CARE welcomes two additional public drop-off sites this month:

• Belott Floor Covering, Menifee, Riverside County
• Blue Water Recycling Corp, Alturas, Modoc County

There are currently 134 CARE public drop-off sites servicing 56 California counties.

CARE supports drop-off sites by providing at no cost:

• A container for collection
• Third-party hauling to transport carpet material to recyclers
• Promotional materials for local government and the hosting facility
• Technical assistance from CARE staff
• Ready access to micro grants that support site set-up and collection equipment/infrastructure.

To find the CARE-sponsored drop-off site closest to you, visit the drop-off site map. If there is a location, such as a supply house, landfill, transfer station or recycling facility that you feel would work well as a drop-off site for you and other flooring professionals near you, please email CARE with the facility's name, location and business phone number. A CARE staff person will call you to discuss your volume, learn more about flooring professionals’ needs in your area and work toward finding a solution.

In addition to public drop-off sites, CARE works with the recyclers who operate more than 200 private network collection sites around the state.

Decline in Carpet Sales in Q1 2023 Impacts Collection

Coming off a very strong 2022 performance, Q1 2023 saw a steep decline in carpet sales beyond the normal Q1 seasonality. Sales are the primary (or key) trigger for old carpet removal, and the steep 15% sales decline resulted in a drop in collections. Heavy rains in California also impeded both sales and recycling. Recycled output was down due to seasonality combined with reduced collections. However, the Q1 Recycling Rate rose to 35.6%.



See the full Q1 results presentation on the CARE website.

Reminder: Assessment Compliance

Retailers are required by law to charge the current carpet assessment to all customers in the state. 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.

Retailers Being Surveyed on Assessment

An online survey was sent to all carpet retailers in the state to get their feedback on the new carpet differential assessment amounts that went into effect on April 1. Results will be compiled and presented to CalRecycle. Retailers who have not already taken the survey are encouraged to submit now by clicking this link.

Assessment Non-Compliance Inquiry Form Launched

All carpet sold in and/or shipped to California must include the correct assessment fee. This includes internet-based (online only) sellers. Upon the advice of the Carpet Stewardship Program Advisory Committee, CARE has created an online form for inquiries about California carpet retailers that may not be operating in compliance with current assessment fee requirements. 

View the form here.

CARE on the Road

CARE Executive Director Bob Peoples presented a keynote address at the Carpet Recycling UK (CRUK) Conference in Solihull, England last month.

Grant Application Reminders

CARE’s California Carpet Stewardship Program has opened its annual cycles of capital improvements and product testing grants to advance post-consumer carpet (PCC) collection, recycling and end-product manufacturing. Applications for the Capital Improvement Grant and for the Product Development/Testing Programs are due August 8, 2023.

The Program’s Cycle 5M, Micro Grants for Collection/Reuse (up to $15,000 per project), is still open to California-based entities until further notice; interested parties may apply through CARE’s easy-to-use online grant application form.

Visit the Grants webpage for full details about project requirements, preferred projects and the application process.

For questions about the CARE grants program, please email Abbie Beane, CARE grants manager, ABeane@CarpetRecovery.org or visit the California Grants page.