CRI boosting efforts to keep used carpeting out of landfills
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, December 3, 2001
DALTON, Ga. — The Carpet & Rug Institute is stepping up efforts to keep used carpeting out of landfills.
Frank Hurd, chief operating officer of the trade group, said, "Our goal is to achieve 40% landfill diversion by 2012." Currently, some 3% to 5% of old carpets are recycled.
CRI is working closely with carpet mills, other industries and university research facilities to develop new products made from old carpeting.
"The key is to find market-based solutions," Hurd said. "A profit motive is a strong incentive to find new uses for carpeting. Ultimately, we see recycling and manufacturing centers located around the country."
He said recycled carpeting is a major component of GEO-Hay, used for sediment control, and Nyla-Board is being developed as a replacement for marine board used in boat building.
Werner Braun, CRI president, said the industry is making a renewed commitment to energy-saving manufacturing techniques as well as addressing issues of clean air and water.
"In the past decade, the industry has made great strides in conservation of natural resources," he said. "Carpet manufacturing now uses half the energy and half the water that was used in 1990."
Braun also said the group plans to increase its involvement in the rug business. CRI traditionally has focused on carpeting rather than rugs; some 10 of its 33 manufacturer members make rugs.
CRI is hosting a Rug Caucus this month to explore profit and growth potential for rug producers.
