Hi Michael,

Thanks for your question regarding using recycled carpets for insulation. It is certainly possible to use recycled carpet for insulation, but I have a few words of caution for you.

Let's get some definitions out of the way first. Many people use the word recycling when they mean reusing. Recycling is a process where a used item is broken down into its basic components and those components are used to make something else. Reusing is where the used item is simply used for another purpose. In my opinion, reusing is much better than recycling, because the use item is not going through the manufacturing process once again.

Now, for reusing old carpets, there are many options.
You could possible use your old carpet padding to insulate items such as your water heater or garage door, if you have an attached garage.

If you are thinking about simply putting your old carpet and carpet padding in your attic to add as insulation to your existing blown insulation, don't. This will compact your existing insulation and will most likely just make conditions worse.

I have also heard of people using their old carpets to prevent weeds from growing in their gardens, or as floormats in their car.

Also, you can donate your used carpet if it is not too stained or worn to charities such as Habitat for Humanity.

As for recycling carpet, you can take your used carpet to a recycling center. There are quite a few in Colorado Springs. I recommend Mountain Trade Supply.

Carpet recyclers will break a carpet and carpet pad down and will repurpose it as other items such as sound barriers, auto parts, or even new carpet pad and carpet. Used carpet can also be sent to a waste-to-energy facility.

I have seen there are pending patents to manufacture insulation using used carpet and carpet pads, however I haven't actually seen any product like that on the market as of yet.

In any event, recycling or reusing old carpet is a great idea to keep carpet out of our landfills. So I urge you to look at all of your options. If you have more questions about recycling carpet, please see the Carpet American Recovery Effort (CARE) website.

Good Luck!
Dave