Where Old Carpet Goes

Carpet is bulky, heavy, and awkward. A single room can fill the back of a pickup once it's rolled. So where does it actually end up?

The honest picture

Most residential carpet in the Treasure Valley goes to the landfill. We'd rather tell you that than pretend otherwise. Carpet recycling infrastructure is thin in Idaho compared to states like California that have carpet stewardship programs.

That said, it's not all one bucket. A few things do get diverted.

What can be recycled

Nylon carpet has the best odds. Nylon 6 and nylon 6,6 can be broken back down into usable material, and when we have enough volume of clean nylon from a commercial job, it's worth separating out.

Carpet padding is often the easier win. Bonded foam padding — the multicolored stuff — is frequently made from recycled scrap already and can go back into the same stream.

Tack strips and metal transitions go with our scrap metal.

What can't

Carpet that's soaked, moldy, or contaminated is landfill-bound. Nothing to be done there — recyclers won't take it, and honestly you don't want it sitting around either.

Glue-down carpet pulled off concrete usually can't be recycled because of the adhesive still stuck to the backing.

If you're hauling it yourself

The Ada County Landfill on Seaman's Gulch Road takes carpet from residents. Cut it into strips about three feet wide and roll them tight — loose carpet is miserable to unload and they may turn you away if it's not secured. Bring a tarp and straps.

Check current hours and rates before you go, since they change.

What we do

We sort what's worth sorting and dispose of the rest properly. Disposal fees are already in your quote, so there's no surprise charge at the end.