NLWA | Carpet recycling rolled out in north London after trial success 

In the first five months of operation at the South Access Road Reuse and Recycling Centre in Waltham Forest, a specialised scheme has successfully collected 26 tonnes of carpet, equivalent to 15 000 square meters. The initiative, spearheaded by the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) and launched in November 2023, focused on intercepting carpets before they were disposed of in general waste bins at the Reuse and Recycling Centre. Carpets meeting specified criteria were separated for processing and categorised by material. Following the trial's success, the program will be expanded to other areas. Dedicated containers will be installed at participating sites to allow residents to deposit their old or unwanted carpets. Wool and nylon carpets can be repurposed into insulation, mattress padding, sleeping bags, backpacks, and even coats. Polyester and polypropylene carpets, on the other hand, can find new life as plant pots, plastic bags, garden furniture, or wheelie bins.