On November 17, 2023, CalRecycle approved an assessment increase to go into effect on January 1, 2024. This increase is necessary to ensure the health of the carpet recycling industry in California, according to California Carpet Stewardship Program (CARE), which formally requested the increase on September 20, 2023.

In a statement, CARE said: "We realize this is short notice and puts a burden on retailers, but the increase is necessary in order to preserve the California Carpet Stewardship Program, including the financial stability of our collectors, processors and recyclers. We are grateful for your cooperation."

Retailers should contact their mill representatives for further detail on how the assessment increase will be rolled out to you. The new assessment levels are:

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The assessments are based on two factors:

  • Broadloom vs. carpet tile. All broadloom (residential and commercial) will be treated the same.
  • Post-Consumer Content. Another provision of the law requires that we provide recognition of carpet products containing post-consumer (PC) content. This requirement is reflected in the assessment being reduced by 2 cents/yd2 for any product, broadloom or carpet tile, that has 10% or more certified PC content. Carpet mills are responsible for advising retailers on which products qualify in terms of post-consumer content.

California carpet stewardship legislation requires CARE to implement a differential assessment on each square yard of carpet that reflects its cost burden to recycle. The assessment funds the subsidies for collection, processing and recycling of carpet and carpet tile, along with technical assistance, drop-off site support and education/outreach.

Compliance with the assessments is compulsory under California law. CalRecycle provides enforcement oversight of California's carpet stewardship law. CalRecycle evaluates compliance through various means including, but not limited to, site inspections and documentation checks. Failure to comply with requirements of the carpet law and/or submitting false or misleading information may result in penalties of up to $10,000 per day.

See details about the carpet stewardship law and monitor updates at CalRecycle.ca.gov/Carpet.