Bentley Mills Named CARE Recycler of the Year
And yes… we are still smiling about it.
We are thrilled to share that Bentley Mills has been named the 2025 CARE Recycler of the Year by the Carpet America Recovery Effort.
It is an honor that reflects progress, persistence, and a whole lot of passion woven into everything we do.
CARE announced this year’s awards at its 24th Annual Conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee, bringing together leaders shaping the future of carpet recycling. This recognition carries weight because CARE exists to advance solutions that keep post-consumer carpet out of landfills and push our industry toward circularity. Being named Recycler of the Year places Bentley within a community of innovators who are redefining what materials can become.
That is exactly the kind of company we strive to be.
We have been recognized for incorporating post-consumer calcium carbonate derived from reclaimed carpet across our backing platforms. Not just one “eco” collection, or a choice to “opt in.” Recycling carpet back into carpet has not been an easy feat, but it’s a challenge we have enthusiastically accepted.
In doing so, we are turning carpet waste into new value, keeping more material in the loop. Calcium carbonate is a key ingredient in carpet backings primarily used as a filler material, especially in latex adhesive that binds to the fibers.
Sourcing virgin calcium carbonate involves high-impact, energy-intensive open-pit mining of limestone, chalk, or marble, which disrupts landscapes and biodiversity. Its mining operations cause substantial noise and dust pollution for surrounding communities.
To alleviate this impact, recycling the calcium carbonate found in existing materials has a much lighter footprint than raw material extraction.
Recently, California set new requirements for post-consumer recycled content in carpet, requiring carpet sold in California to contain at least 5% carpet to carpet recycled material by 2028. Bentley stepped forward and met those requirements ahead of schedule, becoming the first mill to do so.
Our takeback program, FULFILL™ Reclamations, encourages circularity by supporting recycling of carpet. Reclaiming carpet, in return, allows for old materials to become new.
Working with recycled content is not effortless. It asks more of design, more of engineering, and more collaboration across the value chain. It invites a new kind of creativity. And it is worth it.
Every reclaimed fiber carries a story of transformation. Old carpet becomes new. Waste becomes resource. Intention becomes action.
This award belongs to many.
To the teams who rethink materials and refine processes.
To the partners who help close the loop.
To the clients who choose products that reflect their values.
Circularity is never a solo effort. It is a collective movement built on trust and shared ambition.
We are proud to stand alongside other leaders recognized this year, including Person of the Year David Bender of Circular Polymers by Ascend, whose work continues to elevate recycled feedstocks across industries.
We are honored. We are grateful. We are just getting started.
And yes… we will absolutely be celebrating because meaningful progress deserves a moment.