CARE Releases RFP

The Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE), Dalton, Ga., has released a Request for Proposal (RFP) that seeks a resource to help the organization develop sustainable commercial solutions for recycling post-consumer polyester carpet. The project’s goals include developing high-value recycling streams and identifying products and outlets for the material.

In issuing the RFP, CARE says there are four basic polymer types used to manufacture carpet: nylon 6, nylon 66, polyester (PET) and polypropylene (PP).

Meanwhile, the national recycling infrastructure for carpeting has become increasingly successful solely based on the value of nylon face fibers. The entire U.S. post-consumer carpet (PCC) recycling industry, manufacturers and entrepreneurs have developed technically and financially viable businesses based on the high value of nylon engineered resins and fibers.

CARE adds that PP-faced fiber carpets containing PP backing are also being successfully recycled. Since the value of PP is less than nylon, it cannot form the sole basis of a successful recycling business. It becomes accretive to the viability of any post- consumer nylon carpet recycling system.

The RFP being issued is expected to run for one year with a proposed start date of Aug. 1, 2013 and ending June 30, 2014. During the time, the firm receiving the RFP is required to “provide a clear path toward developing a method to recycle polyester carpeting. While the infrastructure for the path forward cannot be built in one year, demonstration of a variety of technologies, applicable products, market outlets and performance specifications will be complete. “

The project to develop PET carpet recycling is described by CARE as “a full year commitment working at a half-time level (a minimum 20 hours per week).”

Those seeking more information can contact Dr. Robert Peoples, executive director of CARE, by June 17, 2013, at bpeoples@carpetrecovery.org.