According to the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) 2008 Annual Report, of the 2,821,000 tons (5,642 million pounds) of post-consumer carpet discarded in 2008 in the U.S., 122,000 tons (243 million pounds) or 4 percent was recycled. Currently, most of the 50,000 tons of used and scrap carpet generated in Seattle and King County is being landfilled; area solid waste agencies estimate that only a very small percentage is recycled.
LinkUp is a King County program that works to expand markets for selected recyclable and reusable materials by facilitating an interactive community of businesses, public agencies and other organizations. Each year LinkUp selects focus materials that are identified as priorities for King County. Carpet is one of LinkUp's 2010 priority materials.
In addition to providing a reliable water supply to more than 1.3 million customers in the Seattle metropolitan area, SPU provides essential sewer, drainage, solid waste and engineering services that safeguard public health, maintain the City's infrastructure and protect, conserve and enhance the region's environmental resources.