European carpet and rug industry sets out its circular economy ambitions in an industry action plan

The European Commission’s Circular Economy Action Plan 2.0 will accelerate the transition from a linear to a circular economy and constitutes an essential shift to a low-carbon industry. The European carpet and rug industry supports this transition and presents realistic objectives and adequate measures in its strategy paper “Leading the carpet industry towards circular economy: a 2030 strategic approach”.
The industry has the potential to play a leading role in achieving Europe’s ambitions for a climate-neutral and circular economy but believes that it can only be achieved if it is fully supported by a well-functioning EU regulatory framework with adequate funding and financial incentives.
Through the implementation of its strategy, the European carpet and rug industry aims to develop its full potential for a robust and consistent shift to a circular economy. In its strategy paper, the industry presents innovation as the driver of change, making new technologies and circular materials permanent features of the future, and increasing sustainable and renewable products in the market adhering to the principles of circularity.
The industry approach relies on a fully integrated, multidimensional and cross-sectorial value chain enabling industry-wide initiatives to be implemented. The active participation of all stakeholders is required to make these initiatives successful. It is vital to consider the entire life cycle of the products from inception and design for ‘end-of-life’, through to manufacturing and consumption. Products should not only have a reduced carbon and material footprint, but should also be capable of contributing to the circular economy by preventing or reducing waste and increasing the level of material reuse. The industry therefore encourages the better management of scarce resources and continues to focus on the creation of material pools, proactively prohibit the use of substances of high concern, target zero waste to landfill initiatives and support the recycling of plastics. of the industry’s strategy paper “Leading the carpet industry towards circular economy: a 2030 strategic approach” are available on the website of the European Carpet and Rug Association (ECRA).