As a result of CalRecycle's disapproval of Carpet America Recovery Effort's (CARE) five-year plan for 2023-2027, the differential assessment currently charged on carpet sold in California will not increase January 1, 2023, as previously announced. The current levels will remain in effect until further notice. 

CARE will submit a revised Plan to CalRecycle in mid-January. Updates will be posted at CarpetRecovery.org/Assessment.

California law requires CARE, as the carpet stewardship organization for the state, to implement a differential assessment on each square yard of carpet sold that reflects its cost burden to recycle.

CARE’s differential assessment plan is based on two factors: 1) carpet material, as in broadloom vs. tile, and 2) percent of post-consumer content, as in greater than or equal to 10 percent post-consumer content, and less than 10 percent post-consumer content. The assessment amounts that began on April 1, 2022, remain in effect:

The California carpet stewardship legislation (AB 2398, 1159 and 729) is designed to find ways to incentivize the growth of carpet reclamation and recycling and still allow the market to work. The law (AB 2398) generates funding to meet its stated goals through the assessment on all carpet sold in California. California consumers pay the assessment when they buy carpet. Those monies then support CARE’s efforts, including subsidies paid to recyclers, grants to expand capacity and collection, technical assistance, market development and outreach to increase carpet recycling in California.