COVID-19 Action Plan Extended
Following positive feedback from stakeholders, CARE has extended two policies laid out in the COVID-19 Action Plan in late March. The following actions have been extended for an additional 90 days through September 2020:

  • Pay 80% of earned subsidies after initial reporting by recyclers (as opposed to the usual 40 to 45 days).
  • Institute an additional temporary $0.02/lb. subsidy for PCC collection (for a total of $0.04/lb.) This is a temporary collection incentive to address rapidly changing market conditions.

“We have heard from recyclers that CARE’s prompt actions have helped these businesses during this challenging time,” notes CARE Executive Director Bob Peoples. “It’s gratifying to know that CARE has assisted in sustaining carpet recycling in the state during this difficult period.”
California Program Q1 2020 Results Released
The California Carpet Stewardship Program has posted results for the first quarter of 2020. CARE opened the year with momentum and great anticipation for expanding recycled output, new capacity coming online and new market opportunities.

However, carpet sales were lower than expected so that the flow of used carpet to recyclers was more difficult to secure. Coupled with ongoing permit delays and the failure of PG&E to deliver on promises to supply power to a new recycling facility, recycled output was down from Q4 2019. The last few weeks of March also saw the initial impacts of the pandemic. Q1 marked the first time since 2015 that we did not see an on-going uptick in the recycling rate.

The full impact of the pandemic will be seen in Q2 and beyond. Efforts in the second quarter are focusing on continued support for recyclers and key stakeholders as they work to rebuild their capacity and move product. Given that demand for output remains strong in several sectors, and that the auto sector is expected to rebound, CARE is still optimistic that 2020 will see renewed growth.


CalRecycle Approves CARE Contingency Plan
Following CalRecycle’s June 16 public meeting, Acting Director Ken DaRosa has approved CARE’s Contingency Plan per staff recommendation. The Plan is part of the requirements of AB 729 and describes how core program elements would continue in the event of revocation of the stewardship program while preserving ongoing support for the state’s carpet recycling infrastructure.

CARE Releases 2019 National Annual Report
CARE has released its  2019 Annual Report, detailing the industry’s progress despite growing headwinds in 2020.

Positive news in 2019 included new members joining the recycling effort, new technology introduced, and new products being developed and brought to market. Of particular note is the advance of chemical recycling and the volume of recycled material it could command once fully implemented.

In 2019 CARE administered a $35 million operational budget, comprising core operations to serve its members, along with the Voluntary Product Stewardship Program (VPS) and the California Carpet Stewardship Program.

VPS Program Highlights
  • More than $2 million was paid in VPS subsidies in 2019.
  • Total gross U.S. collections were 335 million pounds, up from 281 million pounds in 2018.
  • 98% of the post-consumer carpet collected was processed in the United States.
  • VPS participants have recycled enough old carpet in the past 5 years to fill the New Orleans super bowl more than 40 times!

The Report includes updates on 2020: “Unfortunately, the carpet industry was not immune to the pandemic recession, which resulted in plant closures and more than 10,000 jobs lost or furloughed. A difficult decision was made by the carpet industry leadership to terminate the VPS program effective June 30, 2020 to help offset lost revenues. This challenge is compounded by the potential for additional COVID-19 impacts as the economy moves to restart in the latter part of Q2. Of equal concern is the loss of carpet recyclers and associated infrastructure during this recession.”

California Carpet Stewardship Program Highlights
  • 82.1 million pounds of post-consumer carpet was collected before it could go to landfill.
  • 58 million pounds of recycled output was produced (up 18% from the 49.3 million pounds recycled in 2018).
  • Recycler Yield was >70% in 2019, continuing the on-going improvements in efficiencies and landfill diversion
  • The overall 2019 California recycling rate was 19.1%, up 25% versus 2018.

New Drop-off Site Added
CARE is pleased to announce another new carpet recycling drop-off site:


There are currently 78 CARE-supported public drop-off sites in the state, serving 52 counties.

CARE supports drop-off sites by providing at no cost:
  • A container for collection,
  • Third-party hauling to bring carpet material to recyclers,
  • Promotional materials for local government and the hosting facility and
  • Technical assistance from CARE staff.

To see if there is a CARE sponsored drop-off site in your county, visit the

In addition to public drop-off sites, CARE works with the recyclers who operate more than 160 private network collection sites around the state.
CARE Staff Profile: Jacy Bolden
Jacy Bolden was named Director of the California Carpet Stewardship Program in late 2017. Since then, she has focused on efforts to increase carpet collection while collaborating with the CARE team. Until the pandemic hit, she traveled extensively across the state to meet with stakeholders and potential partners.

A native of Nebraska, Jacy brings a wealth of relevant experience in product stewardship, waste and environmental policy as the founder of consulting firm The JBC Groups, and former executive director for an environmental nonprofit coordinating recycling, composting and recycled products.

Jacy confirms: “Working on the California Carpet Stewardship Program has certainly been an invigorating challenge, given the overall recycling market dynamics over the last few years. Our CARE Team is great and I really enjoy having the privilege of working with the dedicated recyclers involved in our program. I have developed a deep appreciation for the rich complexity of carpet recycling. From carpet container loading to new product development to legislative details – there’s never a dull moment!”

Jacy lives in Los Angeles with her husband, young daughter and Charlotte, their brand new “Covid puppy.” As a family they enjoy puppy training, exploratory walks, trips to the beach, skiing, Little League baseball games and Friday pizza nights. Jacy can be reached by email: JBolden@CarpetRecovery.org.