Comparative Analysis between Recycled and Newly Manufactured Carpets

Abstract

Because of society's push to recycle plastics, to examine degradation properties of landfill items, and to use “green” materials in the interior design area, carpets must be investigated to these issues. This study examined the physical characteristics plus appearance retention factors associated with recycled nylon and polyester carpets as compared to newly manufactured carpets following testing using the Tetrapod Walker and soiling. Statistical design of project was completely randomized with a 2 × 2 × 3 (Carpet Type × Method × Test Group) factorial structure. ANOVA and MANOVA were followed by a protected LSD program at 5% for mean separation. The results of this study show that the recycled polyester carpet is a viable choice by interior designers and consumers because it, as compared to the other carpet types, exhibited less color change, maintained original tufts per inch2, and experienced a greater percent compression and recovery of yarn structures due to Tetrapod Walker use and soiling.

Design and Development of an Innovative Test Device Capable of Automatically Performing Carpet Static Loading Tests

“…For instance, some researchers investigated the thickness loss under dynamic and static loading [4][5][6][7] while others studied the carpet performance under short and long term static loading [8][9][10][11]. Additionally, in the literature there are many studies on mechanical, physical and appearance properties of carpet [12][13][14][15][16][17][18].…”

The Effects of Health Consciousness on Environmentally Sustainable Textile Furnishing Product Purchase

“…At present, textiles in home furnishings are replaced more frequently due to changing styles instead of wearing out. This behavior contributes to increased waste streams and environmental problems (Watson & Warnock, 2003). Textile waste in the United States, including discarded clothing, furniture, carpets, and bed sheets, increased from 1.76 million tons to 16 million tons between 1960 and 2015 (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2018).…”

Assessing alternative textile recycling methods: Combining chemical processing with electrospinning technology for life-cycle circularity

“…This accumulation of synthetic textiles in landfills as well as incineration of end-of-life textiles impacts water, soil, and air quality. The production of nylon, a widely manufactured synthetic fiber, has negative environmental impact at all levels: use of valuable petroleum resources, prolonged decomposition within a landfill, and harmful nitrous oxide emissions during production (Fletcher, 2014;Watson & Warnock, 2003;Rodie, 2010;Forum for the Future, 2007). In addition to the aforementioned impacts of synthetic fiber production, the increase in worldwide textile consumption has also created a steady decline in environmental status as valuable resources are being used daily that cannot be replaced.…”

“…This restraint, combined with overfilling landfills and environmental decline, is forcing researchers and industry leaders to consider alternative resources such as recycling for textile production (Chen & Burns, 2006). Further market analysis revealed that companies are working on ways to separate the blended fibers for recycling and re-use, with great strides being made within the recycling of polyester fibers (Watson & Warnock, 2003). While many companies have begun using processes for recycling polyester, industry efforts regarding the recycling of nylon have lagged far behind (Chen & Burns, 2006).…”

“…While many companies have begun using processes for recycling polyester, industry efforts regarding the recycling of nylon have lagged far behind (Chen & Burns, 2006). However, because nylon is a relatively inexpensive polymer, it is beginning to gain recognition for its recycling capabilities by some major companies such as Patagonia and Shaw's Evergreen Nylon Recycling Facility (Watson & Warnock, 2003;Rodie, 2010). Chemical depolymerization has proven to be the most effective for the recycling of nylon by converting the depolymerized caprolactam into re-usable nylon fibers.…”