Our figures for 2020 have been verified and put together with the help of independent consultants Oakdene Hollins. The 2020 figures are our most comprehensive due to the way these have been compiled, and a new methodology of data collection from the wider waste sector throughout the UK.

Since the last set of figures in 2019, the total amount of carpet and textile flooring waste arising in the UK has increased by 37,000 tonnes and is at 467,000 tonnes for 2020.

Amongst other things, the increase in tonnages is being attributed partially to the impact the pandemic had on households and commercial office spaces, where more people were spending time at home and renovating as well as, offices being refurbished to attract employees back.

With the increased tonnages, we can report the amount of waste diverted from landfills by our members, the wider sector and waste industry has also increased from 65% in 2019 to 70% in 2020.

The key findings from the study on outlets for UK textile flooring waste in 2020 include:

• 7k tonnes are estimated to be from manufacturer’s edge trims;
• Energy from waste outlets are still receiving the most tonnages at 270k tonnes in 2020;
• Overall tonnages sent to landfill have seen a reduction by 10k tonnes;
• Reuse is still a small percentage at 1k tonnes;
• Overall tonnages sent to the equestrian sector reduced by 11k tonnes to 40k tonnes;
• Plastic recovery increased from 1000 tonnes to 3100 tonnes.

It must be noted that the information we record and report on is only as good as the responses received from the network and wider sector.  To help the sector continuously improve we need to stress the importance of responding and providing full information for the annual surveys, to help us to understand:

• Where waste is arising, and any pockets where we can help with outlets
• Average weights of the various types of textile flooring
• Volumes diverted
• Outlets in order to avoid double counting
• Capacities

Regarding reuse, Carpet Recycling UK is aware that much reuse happens outside of our knowledge, on a voluntary basis.   We are striving to record more data in this field and appreciate and request that all types of reuse are recorded internally and provided to us through our surveys as the sector is continuously judged to be lacking in this area.

Each year we are trying to improve and capture more information in order to help the sector further its aims. The feedback on this survey was  that some members thought that the survey this year was over complicated in parts, which we will endeavour to simplify next time when looking at the 2021 figures.

We appreciate any feedback and ideas given to help capture and streamline the data.  Please do come forward if you can help.

All information is held in strict confidence and CRUK uses this information to look for trends in behaviour and activity towards this waste stream and is continuously working with the industry on looking for more sustainable solutions to reduce the amount of tonnages being sent to energy from waste outlets and landfill.

We use the waste hierarchy when handling enquiries and providing advice and contacts, and our focus remains on reduction of waste through design for recycling.

NOTE:  Completing the surveys helps us to provide overall figures and gaps, we do not share any individual data.

THANKS! To all those who helped with this year’s survey!

Contact us to get involved info@carpetrecyclinguk.com

Carpetrecyclinguk.com