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Carpet Cushion

Carpet cushion, also known as carpet underlay, is padding placed beneath carpet. Carpet cushion improves the insulation properties of carpet, reduces the impact of foot traffic or furniture indentation, enhances comfort, and prolongs appearance. It is available in a variety of thicknesses-the most common being ¼- and ½-inch-and used in both residential and commercial settings. Carpet cushions made from bonded urethane, jute, synthetic fiber, and rubber can be made from recovered materials.

Recommended Recovered Materials Content Ranges:

EPA's Recovered Materials Advisory Notice (RMAN) recommends recycled-content levels for purchasing carpet cushion as shown in the table below.

EPA's Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Carpet Cushion ¹
Product Material Postconsumer Content (%) Total Recovered Materials Content (%)
Bonded polyurethane Old carpet cushion 15-50 15-50
Jute Burlap 40 40
Synthetic fibers Carpet fabrication scrap -- 100
Rubber Tire rubber 60-90 60-90


¹EPA's recommendations do not preclude a procuring agency from purchasing another type of carpet cushion. They simply require that procuring agencies, when purchasing bonded polyurethane, jute, synthetic fiber, or rubber carpet cushions, purchase these items made with recovered materials when these items meet applicable specifications and performance requirement. Refer to Section C-4 in RMAN I for EPA's recommendations for purchasing polyester carpet containing recovered materials.

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Product Specifications:

EPA is not aware of carpet cushion specifications unique to carpet cushions containing recovered materials. Therefore, EPA recommends that procuring agencies use any appropriate standards set by the Carpet and Rug Institute and the Carpet Cushion Council when purchasing bonded polyurethane, jute, synthetic fiber, or rubber carpet cushion containing recovered materials.

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Product Information:
Database of Manufacturers and Suppliers

GSA Advantage!
Carpet cushion can be ordered through the General Service Administration's (GSA's) online ordering system. In addition, GSA publishes various supply catalogues, guides, and schedules for recycled-content products available through the Federal Supply Service.

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Additional Links:

2007 Buy-Recycled Series: Construction Products (PDF) (11 pp, 104K, About PDF)
This fact sheet highlights the construction products designated in the CPG, including carpet cushion, and includes case studies, recommended recovered-content levels, and a list of resources.

Technical Background Document (PDF) (215 pp, 381K, About PDF)
This background document includes EPA's product research on recovered-content carpet cushion as well as a more detailed overview of the history and regulatory requirements of the CPG process.

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