Article Number : 3286 |
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| Date | 5/27/2008 9:28:30 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=3286 |
| Abstract | Attending the 6th Carpet American Recovery Effort (CARE) Conference was a breath of fresh air—literally. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved since the program began in 2002 more than one billion pounds of carpet have been diverted from entering America’s crowded landfills... |
| Article | Attending the 6th Carpet American Recovery Effort (CARE) Conference was a breath of fresh air—literally. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved since the program began in 2002 more than one billion pounds of carpet have been diverted from entering America’s crowded landfills. Last year alone, in what was described as the most difficult since CARE started, a record 296 million pounds were diverted. These are outstanding accomplishments, and the industry should wrap its arms around them and be extremely proud. But what do those numbers really mean in economic and environmental terms? According to numerous independent studies, quite a bit. It’s been estimated for every two million pounds of carpet collected, there are about two direct jobs created. This, in turn, creates two additional indirect jobs—and that does not take into account other steps in the reclamation and recycling value chain. Since 2002, an average of 149 million pounds of carpet per year have been collected, meaning on average 150 direct jobs and 300 indirect jobs are created every 12 months. The exact economic benefit in terms of dollars has not been calculated, but the revenue, jobs and personal income generated by carpet recycling facilities certainly increase state and local revenues. It’s on the environmental side where the numbers really stand out. According to the EPA, only aluminum cans have a stronger resource savings in terms of avoiding greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Last year’s 296 million pounds, for instance is equivalent in GHGs to either 2.5 million barrels of oil, 230,000 passenger cars or 5,400 railcars of coal. Better yet, it’s similar to 27 million tree seedlings grown for 10 years or 886,000 acres of pine trees. Interestingly, the CARE effort bucks the trend of sending materials overseas as 98% of what’s collected stays in the U.S. Throw in Canada and it’s 99%. And more than twothirds of it goes back to manufacturers, with another 20% going to a processing facility where it gets prepared for reuse in other markets. There is no doubt the CARE effort is growing—just look at its Web site, which saw an 87% jump in visits over 2006—and that it is already used as a model by the EPA. But there is still much to be done. Truth is of all the carpet disposed of in 2007, only 5.3% of it was collected. Most of what’s going to the landfills is on the residential side, and that is where a greater effort by retailers needs to be made. There is money to be made, so who’s going to be the first to take a stand? |