CRUK engaged Oakdene Hollins with investigating the scale of the treatment of textile flooring waste in the UK.  On an annual basis CRUK conducts this research to provide insight and a better understanding of the extent of the amount of waste generated, treated and disposed of in the UK.

CRUK is the only organisation collecting, analysing and reporting on end-of-life data and statistics for the carpet and textile flooring sector. Data was gathered from surveying key sector stakeholders from within our membership and external companies including manufacturers, distributors, reuse and recycling companies, which was then compared with published Placed on the Market (POM) industry data. This cross-sectional data enabled the research consultants to build a model of the different ranges of products POM, the amount of waste generated through the manufacturing process and the end destination i.e. reused, recycled, treated and disposed of at landfill.

The total amount of carpet and textile flooring waste generated in 2021 was 483,915 which was made up of the following data sets:

• 147,846 – surveys
• 130,883 – energy from waste sector (RDF & SRF)
• 205,186 – municipal waste stream

The end destinations for the waste generated includes:

• 40% sent to energy from waste applications (RDF and SRF)
• 6% sent to incineration without recovery
• 19% sent directly to landfill
• 14% sent for recycling for equine surfaces
• 6% remaining sent to other reuse and recovery outcomes

Consequently, in 2021, 81% of the textile flooring waste produced in the UK was diverted from landfill. In 2007, this figure was only 2%. This trend is portrayed in the decrease of total tonnage directed to landfill falling from 30% in 2020 to the current total of 19%. Although there was a decrease in the material sent directly to landfill, there has been an increase in the material sent to energy from waste applications.

The reuse sector offers a route for future development. Approximately 1,000 tonnes of textile flooring were diverted away from landfill and other treatment routes and reused again either into low-income family homes or other open spaces.  Repurposing flooring from retail, the hotel sector and offices into social housing, charities and other uses is a key area that CRUK continuously works to develop, so please come forward if you feel you can help contribute either with excess products/materials alternative reuse solutions.

This annual sector analysis is dependent on deriving primary data from surveyed members and key industry stakeholders. CRUK is grateful to all the respondents who participated in the survey.

Contact us to get involved info@carpetrecyclinguk.com