Carpet Recycling UK Conference – resources for the circular economy

A networking dinner on June 23rd will precede CRUK's one-day event at the city’s Institute of Engineering and Technology, sponsored for the third year running by Invista, manufacturers of ANTRON® Carpet Fibres.

For the first time, CRUK’s annual conference will feature an awards ceremony recognising members in four categories - both individuals and organisations - who have made important contributions to the sector. These are Innovation in Recycling; Take Back Partner of the Year; Re-Use Member of the Year and Recycling Champion.

“So much work has been undertaken in the last few years to advance carpet recycling and re-use,” comments CRUK Director Laurance Bird. “Having exceeded our 25% landfill diversion target two years early, the time has come to celebrate the achievements of those who are leading the way in this field.”

CRUK has been shortlisted for a Zero Waste Platinum Award in recognition of its sustainable achievements in developing and progressing carpet reuse and recycling activities.  Winners will be announced in May. The nomination follows its Gold Zero Waste Award last year in the Partnership category of the Zero Waste Awards 2013.

Popular parallel ‘breakout’ sessions will focus on technological developments, recycling and collection schemes together with presentations covering a host of manufacturing and sustainability issues within the waste hierarchy.

Of interest to organisations seeking outlets for their carpet waste as well as carpet manufacturers and firms interested in new recycling technologies, the conference will also examine topics such as waste prevention/redesign, take back schemes and good practice to encourage greater re-use and recycling of carpet.

Contributors to the Circular Economy sessions will include Mike Walters from John Lewis Partnership with an update on the national roll-out of the department store’s carpet off-cuts recycling scheme. The international speaker line-up includes Bob Peoples, Executive Director of the US-based Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE).

The programme also features several recyclers offering insights into their experiences and successes, which will be of interest to a wide range of delegates including representatives from Local Authorities and a wide range of commercial and manufacturing sectors.

Laurance continues: “Our annual conference continues to grow, with around 100 delegates expected this year, and it has become a must-attend event for the carpet industry. As a valuable forum for sharing ideas, innovation and successes, the conference stimulates debate and helps to drive the work of the wider carpet recycling network forward.”

He adds: “This year, our circular economy theme reflects the excellent progress we have made towards encouraging treatment of carpet waste as a resource rather than a waste material destined for landfill.”