California Carpet Recycling Hits Historic High
California has reached a record-breaking milestone in carpet recycling, achieving a 38.5% recycling rate in 2024—well above the official 34% goal. The achievement was detailed in the California Carpet Stewardship Program 2024 Annual Report, submitted by the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) to CalRecycle on September 1, according to official documents.
The report shows that more than 82.7 million pounds of carpet were collected across the state last year. Of that total, over 90% was processed for recycling or other diversion pathways, helping reduce the amount of material sent to landfills. At the same time, about 2.9 million pounds of carpet were reused—a 249% increase compared with the baseline year 2021. California’s recycling network also continued to grow, reaching 390 collection points in 2024, including 159 public drop-off sites managed by CARE.
Beyond collection, manufacturers are finding new ways to use post-consumer carpet materials in diverse products. According to the report, 30 vendors incorporated recycled carpet into 113 products in 2024, ranging from carpet tiles and padding to insulation, automotive components, packaging fillers, erosion control solutions, and even cement-related applications.
To support this innovation, CARE awarded 15 grants totaling $881,000 to 14 organizations in 2024. The funds were directed toward expanding recycling access, advancing fiber identification technology, and addressing difficult-to-recycle carpet components. The program also supported more than 680 direct and indirect jobs in California, according to the report.
Reflecting on the progress, CARE Executive Director Bob Peoples said the organization is proud to help divert carpet from landfills and give the material a second life in new products. He noted that California has already exceeded its 2025 recycling rate goal, despite what he described as the most challenging market conditions since the 2008 financial crisis.
Industry analysts say California’s results illustrate the growing impact of circular economy policies. By reducing landfill waste and creating new markets for recycled content, the state is not only lowering greenhouse gas emissions but also setting an example for other regions. With regulatory backing and rising consumer demand for sustainable products, the recycled materials sector is expected to expand further in the years ahead.
California’s experience shows how targeted policy, financial incentives, and industry collaboration can turn ambitious recycling goals into measurable achievements.
