Tests find toxic substances in European carpets

Researchers from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (NL), University of Notre Dame (US) and the American non-profit research institution Ecology Center have found phthalates, fluorinated stain-resistant substances and halogenated flame retardants in European carpets. Some of these substances have known or suspected carcinogenic, reprotoxic and hormone-disrupting effects.

NGO Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) points out the gaps in European legislation. For example, the phthalate DEHP has been banned in the EU since 2015, but an exception applies to its use in recycled PVC for carpets. Furthermore, chlorinated flame retardants are strictly regulated under the Toys Safety Directive, but not in carpets, despite exposure to babies and young children.

“The European Union must develop watertight legislation at the interface between toxicity and recyclability, so that the environment and health benefit,” says environmental organisation Recycling Netwerk Benelux.

In addition to the potential health risks for consumers, the presence of toxic substances is also an obstacle to achieving more carpet recycling. “If a processor does not know which substances are in a carpet, he will hesitate to recycle it. In addition to the risks, processing costs become too high. Furthermore, contaminations have a negative effect on the quality of the recyclate. As a result, it can compete with raw materials neither on safety, price, nor quality. This hinders the way to a safe and workable circular economy,” explains Siu Lie Tan of Recycling Netwerk.

In the report Testing for Toxics: How chemicals in European carpets are harming health and hindering circular economy, the tests of the three research institutions show worrying, but also hopeful findings. Substances have been found that, according to EU regulations, should be restricted. Nonetheless, three carpets were completely free of the toxic substances investigated. Two of these even contained recycled material and are circularly designed. “That shows that it really is possible, even with recycled materials, to make a beautiful carpet without having to use toxic substances. That carpet can then be recycled again,” emphasises Siu Lie Tan.

The proposals that the European Commission is preparing for a European Directive on the interface between legislation for chemical substances, products and waste, is the moment to tackle this issue. “This is desperately needed. Recently, a major German government study also showed that a third of the chemical substances in Europe do not comply with European safety rules. Recycled materials must meet the same chemical requirements as products made from raw materials,” concludes NGO Recycling Netwerk.

The carpet market

Europe is the second largest market for carpets in the world after the US and houses some of the largest carpet manufacturers. It is estimated that 47% of the demand for carpet in the EU is supplied by production from the Netherlands and Belgium.

It is also estimated that of the 1.6 million tonnes of carpet waste per year, less than 3% is recycled in the EU, which means that more than 97% is incinerated or landfilled. The recycling rate should be increased in a safe way to meet the EU goals for a circular economy, such as the recycling of 65% of municipal waste by 2030. In addition, the efficient use of circularity, by utilising waste at the highest possible value, offers great potential to make a positive contribution to achieving climate goals.

About Recycling Netwerk Benelux

Recycling Netwerk is an independent environmental organisation and works on the theme of raw materials and their impact. Our goal is to minimise the environmental damage caused from raw material production through to waste management. Therefore, our Network also wants: more and better recycling.

Press contact:

Siu Lie Tan, Project Coordinator Recycling Netwerk, siulie.tan@recyclingnetwerk.org +31 6 48977349

Tom Zoete, Communications Recycling Netwerk, admin@fairresourcefoundation.org +31 6 16101050

About HEAL

Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) is the leading not-for-profit organisation addressing how the environment affects public health in the European Union (EU) and beyond. HEAL shapes laws and policies that promote planetary and human health and protect those most affected by pollution, and raises awareness on the benefits of environmental action for health. HEAL’s EU Transparency Register number: 00723343929-96. More info: www.env-health.org

For imagery and link to English report (accessible from 30 October).