Where Does Old Carpet Go?

Remodeling your home? Installing new carpet for a customer? Are you asking yourself, “Where does old carpet go?”  The Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority answers that question in the new “How to Guide for Post-Consumer Carpet and Carpet Pad Disposal in Whitfield County”.   This short full-color guide with photos explains the step-by-step process of preparing and delivering your carpet and carpet pad to the Old Dixie Hwy. Landfill and Convenience Center for proper disposal or recycling.

Upon delivery, carpet and carpet pad are directed to the Old Dixie Materials Recovery Facility (Recycling Center) located on the same property.  The staff tests the carpet to determine if it can be sent through the recycling process.  If not, it’s set aside in a carpet balefill where it waits for other opportunities to be used as a resource.  However, most kinds of carpet are recyclable.  Depending on the face fiber, the carpet can be used to make a new product such as composite lumber, automotive parts, and carpet padding.

To prepare your carpet and carpet pad, first make sure it’s clean, dry, and free of debris.  Roll up the carpet and padding separately.  Tie the roll by using a strip of carpet from the edge of the roll.  Detailed directions and photos are laid out in the guide.  Next, take the rolls to the Old Dixie Highway Landfill & Convenience Center located at 4189 Old Dixie Highway in Dalton, GA.  Stop at the Scale House to have your vehicle weighed and be directed to the appropriate drop off area.  Finally, enjoy a 46% discount off the regular gate fee as a thank you for participating in the post-consumer carpet program.

“Where does old carpet go?” is an educational campaign to inform residents in Whitfield County about the post-consumer carpet program and it’s benefits.  The booklet-sized brochure opens up to reveal a poster that can be placed at local businesses to help spread the message about the program.  The online version of the guide does not include the poster but does contain the same basic information as the full version.  Download your copy of the guide today at www.DWSWA.org or call 706-278-5001 to request a copy by mail.

To learn more about carpet recycling visit Carpet America Recovery Effort online at www.carpetrecovery.org.  For more information about recycling in Whitfield County contact Liz Swafford, Recycling and Education Program Coordinator, at lswafford@dwswa.org.