Atlanta—It’s all about doing the right thing. That is the reason behind a ground-breaking environmental agreement signed earlier this month by carpet and fiber manufacturers, the Carpet & Rug In stitute (CRI), state governments, non-governmental agencies, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), according to Werner Braun, president of CRI. “I am really excited about this,” Braun said. “Ten years from now, when we look back at what we did today, we’ll all be excited about it because it’s the right thing to do—not only for this industry but for society.”

The National Carpet Recycling Agreement pledges to reduce the amount of used carpet being dumped into landfills by 40% over the next decade and continues the theme of sustainability the industry began more than 12 years ago, Braun said during the signing ceremony. “This industry grew in the last 10 years by 47% in volume, but it has the same CO2 emissions as in 1990,” he explained. “There are not many industries that can say that, and part of what we’re doing here today is continuing the commitment this industry has shown to sustainability.” The 40% diversion goal is aspiring, he added, but it can be done. “This is a tough goal—it is a stretched goal—and there are some things that are going to have to happen to make us achieve that goal together, as partners. “We are going to have to integrate the solutions we come up with,” Braun continued, “because if Milliken or Shaw do their own thing independently, or DuPont or Honeywell, then we’re not going to succeed.”

With more than 2.5 million tons of carpet discarded each year and landfill space declining, he said the solution will require a holistic approach as well as plenty of patience. “We are dedicated to making this goal a reality, but it’s not going to happen over night. We’re going to need patience during the first two to three years of this program.” Sherry Enzler, director of the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance (MOEA), thanked the carpet industry for its environmental efforts and noted the agreement offers self-regulation. “The agreement provides a new cooperative model between business and the states, and will ultimately benefit the carpet industry, its customers and the environment.”

A third-party organization, Carpet America Recovery Effort ( CARE), was established by the carpet industry to monitor, assess and report on the implementation of the agreement and the progress toward reaching the negotiated goals. The industry will be financially responsible for managing CARE. Steve Hoffman, market manager for Milliken, believes the carpet industry has set the environmental stage for other industries to follow. “The carpet industry, along with the leadership of CRI, really stepped up to the challenge of demonstrating a true commitment to environmental stewardship. And, the government showed a willingness to partner with industry rather than to just mandate and legislate.” Elizabeth Cotsworth, director of the EPA’s Office of Solid Waste, said the agreement signifies a new approach in how government and industry can work together to protect the environment.

Building these types of voluntary partnerships between industry and government, while reflecting the needs of consumers, is going to be a large part of the future in terms of resource conservation and building, and establishing environmental protection. “The hardest part is still ahead and that’s the implementation of this agreement,” she added. “EPA pledges to fulfill its commitment and we are confident the working relationship established is going to see this through to a very successful conclusion in the years ahead.”

The negotiated points set forth in the agreement include escalating goals for reuse and recycling—the first step in the eventual elimination of land disposal and incineration of post-consumer carpet. Braun noted several companies have turned recycled carpet into marketable products and many were represented at the signing. “We need to continue being innovative. We’ve seen some products here today that we know will work, but we need to come up with even more.” For more information on the recycling agreement, visit the MOEA Web site at www.moea.state.mn.us/carpet.