Nine months of progress: Cathie Clarke’s vision for a sustainable flooring industry

Carpet Recycling UK (CRUK) is celebrating nine months of transformation and growth under the leadership of its first CEO, Cathie Clarke.

Since stepping into the role in June last year (2024), Clarke has driven forward a vision of collaboration, innovation, and sustainability, navigating a rapidly changing landscape in the flooring industry.

With an extensive background in trade associations, technical best practices, and policy advocacy, Clarke has focused on strengthening industry engagement and preparing CRUK members for the upcoming legislation such as the European EcoDesign for Sustainable Products (ESPR), Construction Product Regulation (CPR) and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

These policies will reshape manufacturing practices  and waste management by shifting the financial and logistical responsibility for end-of-life product disposal onto manufacturers and distributors.

“This legislation is going to change everything,” Clarke explains. “We need to support our industry to work towards a circular economy and to help find viable alternatives to landfill and energy recovery, while also ensuring the industry can adapt efficiently and cost-effectively.”

CRUK is actively supporting members by providing guidance, research, and networking opportunities to help them stay ahead of evolving regulations and sustainability targets.

The CRUK rebrand

One of the most significant steps under Clarke’s leadership is the upcoming rebrand of Carpet Recycling UK, which is soon to be released and will encompass all flooring; not just carpet.

“When EPR discussions began, the Government initially focused only on carpet and textile flooring, leaving resilient flooring like vinyl and LVT out of scope,” Clarke explains. “Through industry advocacy, CRUK successfully pushed for a fairer and more comprehensive approach, ensuring all flooring types are considered.”

The rebrand will position the association to better engage with industry stakeholders, policymakers, and sustainability initiatives, allowing CRUK to lead on sustainable flooring solutions in a more impactful way.

Driving innovation in flooring recycling

With 400,000 tons of carpet and textile flooring waste generated annually in the UK, Clarke has been focused on developing scalable recycling solutions. She is working to build partnerships with manufacturers, recyclers, and waste management companies to explore eco-design, material recovery, and circular economy strategies.

“Recycling is not just about avoiding landfill,” Clarke says. “It’s about creating viable markets for recycled flooring materials and supporting businesses that are investing in new manufacturing and recycling technologies.”

A key focus has been data collection, ensuring a clearer understanding of waste volumes, destinations, and recycling capabilities. “Accurate data will allow us to shape smarter policies and direct investment where it is needed most,” she adds.

Collaboration for a sustainable future

CRUK has also strengthened its partnership with the Contract Flooring Association (CFA), launching a research initiative into the current take-back schemes operating in the UK. This project will provide a baseline understanding of existing systems, helping to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.

“We all talk about collaboration, but it must start within our industry,” Clarke says. “By working together, we can present a united front to Government and regulators, ensuring that sustainability is embedded across the sector.”

Looking ahead

With CRUK’s transformation well underway, Clarke is confident that the organisation is not just reacting to industry change – it is leading it.

“We are at a pivotal moment,” she says. “Yes, there are challenges. But there is also huge opportunity to create a more sustainable flooring industry. By embracing innovation and collaboration, we can make sustainability a commercial reality and future-proof our sector for the long term.”

For more information about CRUK and its initiatives, visit www.carpetrecyclinguk.com.