CARPETS

A Cost to Caring

You’re renovating, and that means the old, worn carpet has to go. But is there an alternative to throwing it in the dumpster? Yes, if you’re prepared to commit your wallet to the cause.

Five billion pounds of carpet go to landfills every year, and to date only 500million pounds have been recovered—but it’s a start. There’s no national resource for carpet recycling, but there are great local resources, including LA Fiber in California (323-589-5637), Carpet Cycle in the New York/New Jersey area (908-353-5900), ERCS in the Boston area (978-664-5050), and NYCORE in Minnesota (770-980-0000).

Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) says, “Please keep in mind, recycling costs money; it’s not free. Costs vary with location and available systems.” On average, that means 5 to 25 cents per pound (and carpet usually weighs 4 to 5 pounds per square yard).

According to CARE, old carpet can be made into composite lumber, roofing shingles, railroad ties, auto parts, stepping-stones, and more.