First UK polypropylene carpet recycling facility under construction

The UK’s first facility for recycling polypropylene carpets is under construction in Northamptonshire’s Chelveston Renewable Energy Innovation Park.

Polypropylene is a popular material for making carpets, as it is less expensive than wool or other natural materials. Carpets made from this material are hardwearing, but, at the end of their life, many polypropylene carpets are thrown into landfill sites.

However, Innovate Recycle’s new facility will convert the polypropylene into pellets that can be sold to a number of industries. The pellets can be used to make a wide variety of products, such as watering cans, buckets, storage bins and 3D printing materials. The polypropylene used in these products can then be recycled as part of a circular manufacturing process.

Speaking to the East Midlands Business Link, the Chair of the Board at Innovate Recycle, Bob Woods, said:

“Carpets cannot continue to be sent to landfill, incinerated or repurposed into products that damage the environment which is why we are at the forefront of new technology and developing a new circular economy approach for the carpet industry.”

The carpet recycling plant will use renewable energy generated from wind, solar and hydrogen power sources at Innovation Park. Innovate Recycle is working with the UK carpet industry to make waste carpets more environmentally friendly.

Quality carpets in Wrexham and Chester homes are made to last a long time. As they will eventually wear out, it’s positive news that they can be recycled at the end of their life.