California lawmakers recently updated the state's carpet recycling program, which will take effect in January. 

On September 27, 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom approved AB 863 (Aguiar-Curry), which set a carpet-to-carpet recycled content mandate of 5% by 2028, mandates sorting at approved collection sites by 2028, established reimbursement for those sites and edits that recycling rate formula. It also requires a visual mark to identify synthetic materials by 2027 for more effective sorting, starts a grant system for a carpet installer apprenticeship program, adds four stakeholders to the board of statewide carpet recycling program, Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE), and increases penalties for failing to meet mandates.

The Carpet and Rug Institute opposed the bill, highlighting its potential impact on the flooring industry. 

Since July 2011, California consumers have paid a carpet stewardship assessment fee when purchasing carpet sold in California. Author of AB 863, Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters), said CARE failed to administer the program effectively and equitably and has required oversight and repeated enforcement by CalRecycle. 

"CARE has been very successful in running the California carpet stewardship program and has increased the recycling rate from less than 4% to greater than 38% year to date in 2024, exceeding the Plan’s requirements," CARE Executive Director Bob Peoples told Floor Trends & Installation.

He said the team at CARE, which has been a 501(c)(3) nonprofit for 24 years, is working to understand how the new requirements will impact its existing approved plan. 

"There are many ambiguities in the statute as passed, so dialog is important to ensure we correctly interpret what is required and by when," Peoples said. "This process is underway, and CARE understands we must submit a Plan Amendment by July 1, 2025, to align the approved current 2023 – 2027 Plan with new provisions that will go into effect before this plan expires on December 31, 2027."

Floor Trends & Installation spoke with Peoples just before the ruling in a FloorTalk podcast.

Listen to the conversation: CARE Executive Director Bob Peoples Discusses Recycling Challenges and California's AB 863 Bill. 

Read excerpts of the conversation here.