Tech event uses 7,000 sq, sustainable carpet

At Olympia London's Innovation Zero tech event in May 2023, 7,000 square metres of fully sustainable carpet was installed. The 100% polypropylene carpet was fully recyclable, leaving behind no waste products. The pellets extracted from the carpet can be used to make a variety of new products.

Compared to traditional carpets, this carpet was produced using 55% less carbon emissions, 100% less water, and 85% less energy.

Exhibition carpets often suffer from wear and tear due to heavy foot traffic, and many are discarded after the event. However, the carpets used at Innovation Zero demonstrate that they can be recycled and their useful life extended.

Approximately 400,000 tonnes of waste carpets are generated every year, and many end up in landfills. 60,000 tonnes are reused or recycled, and 100,000 tonnes are used to generate energy. Households and businesses who dispose of carpets in North Wales and Chester can arrange for carpets to be recycled, and most local authorities in Wales have disposal points for carpets.

Polypropylene and other synthetic carpets can be shredded and used in other products. One popular application is creating surfaces for equestrian centres. Shredded carpets are mixed with sand to make cushioned flooring that lessens the impact on the legs of horses during training.

Wool from carpets is mixed with other materials to create sound and heat insulation products. Recycled wool can also be used in flooring underlays.

In commercial buildings, when replacing carpet tiles, some of the existing tiles may not be worn and can be reused.