The overriding theme of the 2024 CRUK Annual Conference in Solihull this year was the need for collaboration across the wider flooring sector in order to seek better solutions for types of waste generated.
A key message was building wider and stronger partnerships across the industry between manufacturers, recyclers, distributors and waste management operators as well as with other industries such as construction to enable carpet and textile flooring waste to be disposed of more effectively.
Keynote speakers embraced this theme during the two-day event with CRUK’s Scheme Manager, Adnan Zeb-Khan enlightening attendees with his presentation calling for alternatives to “energy from waste” disposal . Although accounting for over 200k tonnes in 2022 of carpet and textile flooring waste being diverted from landfill it is crucial that more long-term and sustainable solutions are adopted.
Additionally, Headlam highlighted their collaborative efforts to introduce an operational take-back scheme; Jane Gardner of EFRMI (European Resilient Floorcovering Manufacturers’ Institute) emphasised the need for more collaboration to foster an increasing circular economy within the flooring sector and a similar message reinforced by several keynote presentations was the urgent need for industry stakeholders to collaborate and develop an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme.
As in other years technological innovation was in the spotlight with Matoha showcasing their handheld material identification devices removing the need for time consuming offsite lab analysis of materials prior to recycling and IOBAC presented their unique magnetic carpet tiles fixing solutions promoting re-usability.
The CRUK Annual Awards following the evening dinner saw Edel Carpets presented with Circular Economy Initiative of the Year; the Salvation Army awarded Reuse and Recycling Project of the Year and Milliken winning Most Sustainable Product of the Year.
Cathie Clarke, the recently appointed Managing Director of CRUK was also able to introduce herself to delegates and network with the members in attendance. She was also able to share her first impressions of a major CRUK event saying, “the conference was packed with interesting and inspiring presentations on innovation within the carpet recycling industry, circular economy and sustainability with high energy debates on important issues.”
Cathie who only joined the team a month ago also emphasised how much she was looking forward to working closely with the CRUK Membership and Board to “raise awareness of the important work that is already being done and to develop an ambitious strategy of influence and change within our industry for the benefit of our environment.”
CRUK welcomes any feedback or suggestions from members on how they found the 2024 Annual Conference and what could be done to improve the shape and content of the event next year.
Post-conference articles can be found in the following journals and on the website:
https://www.buildingtalk.com/carpet-recycling-uk-collaboration-to-seek-better-solutions-for-waste/
https://interiorsmonthly.co.uk/act-now-on-epr-before-one-is-imposed/
https://www.innovationintextiles.com/sustainable/moving-towards-epr-for-carpet-waste/