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Carpet Recycling UK Conference – sustainability throughout the carpet supply chain

CRUK Conference
Carpet Recycling UK’s Annual Conference returns to Birmingham on June 11th with a comprehensive programme covering developments in thinking and practice around sustainability across the carpet supply chain.

Preceding the one-day event at the city’s Institute of Engineering and Technology will be a networking Awards Dinner on June 10th with conference sponsorship again provided by Invista, manufacturers of ANTRON Carpet Fibres.

An awards ceremony with four categories will recognise important contributions and achievements by members - both individuals and organisations. These are Recycler of the Year; Reuse Member of the Year; Take Back Partner of the Year and Recycling Champion. Entries are accepted up to April 30th 2015.

“In celebrating the triumphs of those who have made great breakthroughs in carpet recycling and reuse, we hope to inspire others to follow their lead,” said CRUK Director Laurance Bird. “Last year saw a record-breaking 113,000 tonnes of waste carpet diverted from landfill, a 28% diversion rate; it is testament to the remarkable collaborative efforts of all in continuing to make this happen.”

Mark Shayler of Ape, the environmental creative agency, will open the conference with a call to re-think waste and sustainability. Picking up the circular economy theme, Ken Webster, Head of Innovation at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation will further explore the concept and its practical implementation.

International award winning interior designer Vanessa Brady of Interior Design Services Ltd will illustrate theory into action in her presentation on interior design for longevity and sustainability.

International speakers include Anthony Cline, Operations Director for Carpet America Recycling Effort (CARE) who will outline the key success factors in US carpet recycling, in particular the commitments made by the manufacturing sector to support end of life Voluntary Producer Responsibility. US recycler Sean Ragiel of CarpetCycle follows with outlining the practical aspects of running a successful carpet recycling business.

On a practical level, breakout options include the sustainability credentials of wool, as well as a series of sessions focusing on reuse and recycling, including national recycler Trent Valley Recycling on their recent expansion. Addressing the importance of partnership working will be Russell Owens from the Welsh Government, explaining how councils in Wales have collaborated on recycling.

Carpet Recycling UK is the industry-backed association for recycling and reusing waste carpet with a target of 60% diversion from landfill by 2020. Some 400,000 tonnes of carpet waste arises each year in the UK. Enquiries are welcomed from all types of organisations interested in finding new outlets for their waste carpet.

To register for the conference or for more information, please call Marie Rhodes on 0161 440 8325 or email:Marie@carpetrecyclinguk.com or visit www.carpetrecyclinguk.com .

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