(Effective January 2026)

Beginning in January 2026, carpet may not be sold in New York unless the manufacturer participates in a NYSDEC-approved, industry-wide recycling program. The law requires manufacturers to establish systems for the collection and recycling of discarded carpet and sets recycling targets of 30% within five years and 75% within fifteen years, while also increasing the use of recycled content in new carpet products.

More than 500 million pounds of carpet are discarded in New York each year, with less than 1% currently recycled. This policy redirects carpet waste into recycling systems, reduces disposal costs and emissions, and supports job creation. The law also prohibits PFAS in carpets after 2026, helping prevent the release of “forever chemicals” into the environment.

Manufacturer participation is essential to improving recovery rates. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for carpets will help move this difficult material out of landfills and into recycling systems while easing financial burdens on local governments.