CRUK's annual conference sees record number of delegates

09 Jul '14

2 min read

Celebrating success and building impetus for meeting new challenges emerged as key themes of a dynamic Carpet Recycling UK (CRUK) Annual Conference in Birmingham last month.

A record-breaking number of delegates attended the event, which followed an evening networking dinner sponsored by Invista, manufacturers of ANTRON carpet fibres. For the first time the conference also featured an awards ceremony to recognise members' innovations.

With the spotlight on designing new products for recycling and reuse at end of life, a talk from the RSA's (Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) Sophie Thomas (pictured) explored how new approaches to sustainability issues could improve value and resource recovery from the flooring sector.

Laurance Bird CRUK director, emphasised the importance of these innovations, "To achieve our next target of diverting 60% carpet waste from landfill by 2020, we need to look at how we design the sustainable products of the future and how easily they can be recycled."

Presentations from CRUK manufacturing members Forbo Flooring, Abingdon Flooring and Milliken highlighted their achievements in improving product sustainability. The programme also included technological developments, recycling and collections schemes, and other manufacturing and sustainability issues. CRUK's newest member, The John Lewis Partnership, provided an update on their trial in carpet off-cut recycling with Anglo Recycling which is now being expanded nationwide.

"Our annual conference is welcomed as a valuable forum for sharing ideas, innovation and successes" commented Laurance Bird. "By stimulating debate, we hope to inspire others with the aim of helping to drive the work of the wider carpet recycling network ever forward", he added.

Carpet Recycling UK

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