Dalton—The Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE), which develops new processes, products, equipment and markets that reuse the valuable raw materials of post-consumer carpet, named Aquafil USA the CARE Recycler of the Year for Aquafil’s historic and continuous consumption of post-consumer nylon 6 carpet across the U.S.
Aquafil’s reclamation of post-consumer carpet is a first step in the Econyl Regeneration System, which creates recycled nylon 6 fibers from post-consumer carpet in a continuous production cycle. Aquafil’s process transforms the nylon 6 back into raw material without any loss of quality.
“We are pleased to present Aquafil USA with this award, which recognizes Aquafil’s continuous commitment and leadership in sustainable manufacturing and a circular economy,” said Brendan McSheehy, chairman of the board, CARE.
Rocky Ponders and Robert Goldberg, both of Columbia Recycling Corporation, were named CARE Persons of the Year. These two outstanding individuals transformed their company’s business model, expanding post-industrial and post-consumer carpet recycling over the past 36 years. As a result, they increased employment from fewer than 25 employees to more than 500 people. Ponders and Goldberg led the company’s growth into production of melt filtered pellets for the compounding industry and the production of carpet cushion manufacturing, using recycled carpet components.
“Over the years, these two innovators have led their company to divert significant amounts of carpet from landfills across the USA through innovations in process technology, equipment design and product development,” said Robert Peoples, executive director of CARE. “We especially want to recognize Rocky as he retires from the day-to-day operations of Columbia Recycling and wish him all the best in his new efforts to further develop the carpet cushion business.”