Smoke and Mirrors

The briefing examines the UK carpet waste stream, criticizing the industry's reliance on incineration and downcycling under the guise of recycling. It argues that voluntary initiatives have failed and proposes a mandatory EPR framework to incentivize eco-design and closed-loop recycling.

• The UK discards approximately 400,000 tonnes of carpet annually, and the market volume is projected to grow by 3.3% between 2019 and 2025.
• While Carpet Recycling UK (CRUK) reports increasing landfill diversion from 2% in 2007 to 44% in 2018, the vast majority of this diversion is incineration rather than recycling.
• The climate cost to society from CO2 emissions released by burning carpets in the UK was estimated at £16.5 million in 2019, with costs potentially ranging between £8 million and £25 million depending on the carbon price used.
• Downcycling carpet for equestrian surfaces accounts for 22% of diverted carpet, raising concerns about the release of 59+ toxic chemicals into the environment, though regulations vary across the UK; England classifies it as 'low-risk', while Wales and Scotland require exemptions or permits.
• True circularity in the carpet industry is hindered by product design, including mixed fibres, latex secondary backing, and hazardous chemicals, resulting in only 2% of waste being recycled into non-shredded products and less than 1% being reused.
• The document recommends a mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme including green-design measures (such as phasing out substances of very high concern and requiring product passports), modulated producer fees, and mandatory Green Public Procurement.

APA

Changing Markets Foundation (2019). Smoke and Mirrors. https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Smoke_and_Mirrors_FINAL.pdf

Chicago

Changing Markets Foundation. Smoke and Mirrors. 2019. https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Smoke_and_Mirrors_FINAL.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Changing Markets Foundation |title=Smoke and Mirrors |date=November 2019 |url=https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Smoke_and_Mirrors_FINAL.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{changingmarketsfoundation2019smoke, author = {{Changing Markets Foundation}}, title = {{Smoke and Mirrors}}, institution = {Changing Markets Foundation}, year = {2019}, month = nov, url = {https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Smoke_and_Mirrors_FINAL.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }