Sometimes a Shag Isn't a Good Thing - The State of Carpet Recycling

Sometimes a Shag Isn't a Good Thing - The State of Carpet Recycling

From being quite a luxury just a few decades ago, wall to wall carpet is found in nearly every home in North America. However, have you ever thought of what happens when you get rid of it. Think about how much the carpet from just a single room weighs or how much space it takes up.

Just 60 years ago, the few such carpets that did exist were made of natural fibers, with wool tops and cotton, jute or sisal backings. They were quite expensive and rather rare. They would also eventually decompose and posed little threat to anyone, being a rarity.

Today, carpets (and their pads) are made of a of a toxic combination of various synthetic fibers that are nearly impossible to recycle at a profit. As such, if you do want to get rid of it, it's best to suit up with a dust mask and protective clothing. However, when you do get it out of your home, you'll need to pay someone to haul it away. There is not a single municipality in North America that will haul carpet away to be recycled (which it can be) without charging a fee, usually based upon the weight of the materials.

Technorati tags: carpet nearly however