#11 - CARPET AND CARPET RECYCLING

 Pile Yarn Height and Weight

Pile yarn height refers to the vertical height of the yarn fibers above the primary backing. The measurement does not include the backing or layers underneath. Carpet pile height is measured from the base of the backing to the tip of the yarn. It is often measured in inches or millimeters. Pile height is important because it affects a carpet’s softness and appearance. A higher pile height also increases insulation and sound absorption. Pile weight is also known as face weight. This refers to the pile weight per square yard of carpet. It is often measured in ounces. This is important to understand because different fibers will often have different weights. It is also important to understand that just because a carpet has a higher face weight doesn’t mean that it is more durable or of a higher quality. It is important for interior designers to understand these terms when selecting materials and products for their clients.

Cut and Loop, Multilevel Carpet Styles

Cut and loop carpet refers to a carpet design that combines high-cut fibers with lower loops to create unique and subtle patterns. The pattern is created through the height difference rather than different colored fibers like other carpet designs. It also provides texture and character to a space while still being tough enough to handle high-traffic areas. To fully understand cut and loop carpet, it is helpful to look at both types of carpet individually. Cut pile carpet is made by cutting the carpet loops, which creates a plush surface that is known for its softness. It is known for providing comfort while still being a durable option. Loop pile carpet can have various patterns and designs, but is known for its texture and resilience. It is a great option for heavy foot traffic and is commonly seen in hallways and commercial spaces. It is a great option for long-lasting flooring. Cut and loop is also an example of multilevel carpet. Multilevel carpet is a good option for flooring because it provides both durability and aesthetics. It is also generally easy to clean and decently stain resistance.

CARE

CARE stands for Carpet America Recovery Effort. It is a nonprofit organization that has a goal of recycling post-consumer carpet and reducing the amount of carpet that ends up in the landfill. CARE was founded in 2002 and focuses on market-based solutions that will help increase landfill diversion. They collect data and release an annual report that goes over their progress towards their goals each year. CARE works to encourage and help people recycle carpet. They estimate that around 5 billion pounds of carpet go to the landfill each year. They also estimate that they have recovered around 5 billion pounds of carpet since the organization began in 2002, to be repurposed and reused. CARE is funded by voluntary contributions. Companies often become supporters of CARE and contribute. Many carpet manufacturing companies have realized the positive impact recycling carpet can have on our environment and provide programs to encourage their clients to do it. EF Contracts is a great example of this because it has a reclamation program that works to increase landfill diversion. They offer different pathways and options to help people join them in achieving this goal. Shaw Contract is another company that has a reTURN program that focuses on recycling carpet tiles. Mohawk Group has a ReCover program that accepts commercial and residential carpet. Interface offers a ReEntry program that helps with reclaiming and recycling used carpet tiles. There are many other companies that also offer similar programs.

One Step Further:

After learning about CARE, I chose to do my One Step Further on carpet recycling. I decided to research the impacts of carpet production on the environment and how recycling impacts this. Around 75% of carpet is made of nylon, which comes from crude oil. This negatively affects the environment because crude oil is a natural resource we are quickly running out of, extracting it produces harmful greenhouse gas, and the manufacturing process uses large amounts of water and energy. Nylon is also not biodegradable, and it’s a large part of the 4-5 billion pounds of carpet that enter the landfill each year. Recycling and repurposing the materials used in carpet can help lessen the negative effect this has on the environment. It is first important to raise awareness of the issue and then find and share ways old carpet can be recycled. Recycling carpet isn’t as easy as recycling water bottles or plastic, but with raised awareness and funding, hopefully someday it can be. 

References:

• https://www.jaipurrugs.com/blog/cheat-sheet-for-right-carpet-pile-height

• https://www.flooringamerica.com/flooring-faq/carpet/carpet-face-weight 

• https://www.carpetone.com/blog/the-beautiful-patterns-of-cut-loop-carpet 

• https://carpetrecovery.org/about-care/ 

• https://www.aquafil.com/magazine/the-environmental-impact-of-recycling-carpet/ 

Extra Credit Links:

• https://www.lgkramerflooring.com/blog-1/articles/carpet-density-vs-face-weight-whats-the-difference

• https://www.floorcity.com/pages/flooring-dictionary-carpet-pile?srsltid=AfmBOopr_YX21LN5uKoV0QnS7GTHIeAMMyqbUgLWrBiNHBdaSHC08lmm 

• https://thedesignhousedfw.com/the-uncut-truth-understanding-looped-carpet-and-its-benefits/#:~:text=Exceptional%20Durability%20and%20Resilience:,wide%20range%20of%20interior%20designs.