CARE Grants Accelerate Innovation, Expand Recycling | |
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In 2024 the CARE California Carpet Stewardship Program managed 15 grants totaling $881,000 awarded to 14 entities, a significant investment that builds on the state’s carpet recycling success. Important advances were made in expanding convenient collection across the state, as well as tackling fiber identification and difficult-to-recycle post-consumer carpet (PCC) components.
The Program funded and oversaw:
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Two Capital Improvement Grants to California entities, totaling $276,000, that are projected to expand recycled output by 4 million pounds annually and grow and improve collections by 600,000 pounds per year.
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Approximately $100,000 in two Product Testing Grants to find higher and better uses for PCC backing (PC4) – see photo – as well as strategies and parts for repairing carpet fiber identification technology. Read the case study on the CARE website.
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Two new Innovation & Design Grants, totaling $200,000, for projects at University of California Davis and Arizona State University to explore more sustainable applications for PET fiber and PC4 backing material.
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Seven California-based Micro Grant projects totaling $105,000 to support an additional annual 654,000 pounds in collections via private pickup service and three new public drop-off sites. Two new sites are located in rural counties and fulfill statewide convenient collection goals.
For full details on recent grants, see the CARE website.
Since 2016, CARE has paid out more than $10,300,000 in grants.
New Grant Cycles Open
CARE has launched new cycles of its Capital, Testing and I&D grant programs, with applications due on March 31, 2025. In addition, CARE is continuing the Micro Grant program in 2025 on a first-come, first-served basis. The Capital and Micro Grant programs are open to California-based entities only. For more information and application forms, visit the CARE grants webpage.
For questions about the CARE grants program, please email Abbie Beane, CARE grants manager, at ABeane@CarpetRecovery.org.
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CARE Connects Commercial Jobs with Reuse Opportunities | |
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While presenting at a conference of sustainable construction leaders last fall, CARE Market Development Manager Rob Thiess learned about ANEW – a woman-founded and led nonprofit that for 20 years has been working with companies to steward surplus office furniture and other items back into their communities and away from landfill. Based in Los Angeles with a presence across the country, ANEW finds reuse options for much of what is left behind by long-term renters and building owners. Rob reached out, and in November, Rose Tourje from ANEW contacted Rob about a large project for a multi-national manufacturer located in El Segundo, California.
Due to a brand makeover, 12 floors of Interface’s PVC-backed tile (an estimated 100,000 square feet) in good condition was to be removed in six phases. Rob connected ANEW with Repurpose Earth, a business focused on finding reuse opportunities for carpet tile. The tear-out was tricky: people were still working on the floors where demolition was happening, and there was almost no storage space. CARE provided guidance on the proper collection process for the carpet tiles, which were stacked, strapped, and wrapped, and worked with Repurpose Earth to identify reuse options and outlets. Phase One of the project was completed in December and resulted in eleven pallets of carpet tile, weighing almost 17,000 pounds, being sent to two churches for reuse. Phase Two is set for this month.
The California Carpet Stewardship Program continues to work to increase the amount of commercial carpet that is reused and recycled. Commercial broadloom or carpet tile jobs of more than 5,000 square yards may be eligible for our free takeback program. Please complete the Project Takeback form to request a takeback. Contact Rob Thiess with questions.
| Reminder: New Assessment Levels in Effect | As of February 1, 2025, new levels are in effect for the California carpet assessment. The new levels are: | Retailers are required by law to charge the current carpet assessment to all customers in the state. CalRecycle periodically inspects retailers to check current practices. See CARE’s Assessment webpage for details. | |
CARE Welcomes a New Public Drop-off Site | |
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CARE welcomes one new public drop-off site this month:
There are currently 164 CARE public drop-off sites servicing all 58 California counties.
In Alameda County, Repurpose Earth at Pacific Coast Services (4005 Whipple Road, Union City) is now operational; palletized carpet tile can be dropped off at no charge for reuse and donation to community organizations. Loose tile Is accepted by appointment.
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 some 220 private collection sites around the state.
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CARE’s 23rd Annual Conference is coming to California: May 20-21, 2025 at the Sea Bird Resort in Oceanside. The Conference theme is “Carpet Recycling: Riding the Sustainability Wave.” Please mark your calendars! Registration will be available on March 1st.
Confirmed speakers for the Conference include Green Chemistry co-founder John Warner, Gensler Sustainable Materials Specialist Sarah Templin, Floor Focus publisher Kemp Harr, Association of Plastic Recyclers Program Director Kate Eagles, and many more. CARE is proud to welcome BTR Flooring & Recycling as the 2025 Conference's Premier Sponsor.
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