Class Day 6

Presentations:

"Paint and Pollution" by Mallory

Research.  Explore.  Implement.

Paint composition is pigment and binder.  In the past they used a lot of organic materials, while today we are using additives and synthetic materials to create a longer shelf life.  A typical household paint contains up to 10,000 chemicals.  300 of the chemicals are known toxins and 150 have been linked to cancer.  

"Kudzu" by Bridgette

It's called a "foot-a-night vine" because it grows about a foot a day.  Pros are that Kudzu is edible, renewable, prevents erosion, and soil improvement.  Cons are it grows so fasts that it chokes off other plant species.  


"Carpet" by Me


"Glass" by Mark


The recycling and reuse strategy for glass isn't very much.  Ale 8 is a local company that reuses their glass bottles, and gives a consumer about 25 cents for any they bring in.  The bad part is the closest Ale 8 factory is in Winchester, so it's not really worth the gas to drive out and back to take glass bottles.  Crushed glass is used in counter tops to create interesting effects.  


"Insulation Materials" by Helda


There are many different types of insulation materials.  Fiberglass is a deadly one that has many problems associated with me.  Denim is a healthy alternative.  


"Binders" by Jeremy


He looked at systems and not just materials.  His focus was refrigeration systems, and how to make them safer.


"Horse Barns" by Breana


She looked at different aspects of horse barns.  Bedding is a large one because they go through a lot per week.  Arena footing is something to look into too.


"SIPs" by Miles 


SIPs are Structural Insulated Panels.  The facings used are very strong and very available material.  They are also 100% recyclable, which is a good factor.  Taking at look at the SIPs being used in the HBEER being constructed right now opens up your eyes. 


"Food Production" by Nate


Cuba built a state supported structure to support an urban agriculture.  Aeroponics is the process of growing plants in an air or mist environment.  Hydroponics is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions, in water, without soil.  

Research

Plan for the week:

This week I plan to contact:

Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo Hardwood Flooring

Kevin Koga

206-264-2414

Certified Wood Flooring

Eco Timber

Chanel Clifford

President of Sales and CEO

813-546-3322

303-586-9420

Linoleum

Forbo

570-459-0771 

800-842-7839

Ceramic Tiles

765-935-4760

* Emailed today about who to contact

Cork

Globus Cork

718-742-7264

347-742-7264

For samples ask for sample department

* Emailed today about who to contact

Interview

Dr. Balk

859-257-4582

Materials Engineer Professor

9/22/11 @ 3:30 PM

What exactly do you study in materials engineering?

My research is concerned with the mechanical systems of metals.  Right now me and my students are looking into nano scale items.  Like making metals that consist of nanotechnology. 

What materials do you work with?

Basically, me and the other materials professors are researching area of interest along with our students.  Each professor can choose their own different material to study.  Also polymers is something that ties chemical and materials engineering together.  It's a common ground we share.

Have you ever worked with or looked at materials that are sustainable?  Recycled?

Material sustainability is a big topic today.  A material that we do use which is infinitely sustainable is steel.  When it comes to recycled materials, we don't use them.  We stick to just pure metals.

What technology and equipment does materials engineering have?

Each professor has their own lab to do their own study.  In these labs we make materials, look up close through microscopes, and test the material.  This testing involves the pushing of the extents of the material through stretching, pulling, and many more.  We have a small roller press that the students can use.

Do you work alongside any local companies?

I actually work with Semicon Associates.  They make a device, which is basically an electron gun that helps with communication.

Class Day 5

Field Trip:

LFUCG Recycling Center
360 Thompson Road
Lexington, KY 40508

When you come up to the main office entrance space to your left is gravel like pieces, but it's glass shards.  They took the glass that they get, which gets broken down through the sorting process (which is what they want to happen) and put it in as gravel like material.  It added a great effect to the whole exterior of the space.  The vibrant color gave it a different appeal.

From there we went up to the classroom to talk about things.  This was the view that we had of the center.  It's a pretty powerful image.

Our tour guides were Esther and an intern.  We were given time to ask questions and for her to discuss certain aspects with us.  The taxes that home owners in the Lexington area pay cover the three cans they are allowed to have.  One is trash, one is recycling, and the last is yard waste.  Just recently they have begun a composting can that is for personal use, and can only be given after the resident has taken a composting class.  This insures that they know what they are doing is right.  The yard waste isn't composted, but it shredded down into mulch that everyone can use.  This center also gets materials in from other Lexington counties outside Fayette.  Also, individual companies that collect recycling bring their materials to this center.  So this center is bringing in a lot of materials.  Recently $3.5 million was spent on new machines that help to make the sorting easier and more accurate.  The center accepts bottles and jugs that are type one or two plastic, and many other material types.  They try to also save on gas by finding local companies that will take the materials they receive once it has been sorted and bundled.  In 2009, the center took in 20,000 tons of materials, and had a revenue of $1.6 million.  In 2010, the center took in 25,000 tons, and made a profit of $2.4 million.  This is much larger than the previous year.  So they are becoming more efficient in what they do.  This is a good sign.  Only 5% of the materials they get in actually gets sent to the landfill because it can't be recycled.  

To enter the inter workings of the center you have to wear the proper gear, which includes hard hat, safety goggles, and a vest.  I'm glad it's required because during the tour I was almost hit by a bottle that fell down.  Yet, oddly most of the workers that sort weren't wearing any of this gear.

This is the exterior of the center.  It looks so clean.

Out front they have blue bins that allow people that don't have recycling cans to bring their things in to recycle.  Also there is another bin that metal items can be thrown into, which becomes scrap to another company to use.

I guess that Xbox's are now out of style because we found one laying in the metal scrap pile.

So this hill of material is not even a full days worth of material!!!!

Here is more of a scale to get an idea.  They just kept adding on to it throughout the day.

Sights like this are seen throughout the center.  This could have been someone's dinner.  Here's the left overs...enjoy!

The backside of the mound.  It looks climb-able.

So they take that mound and scoop it into this, which starts the conveyer belt system.

For all you cat lovers...try to reuse your cat litter containers because those can't be recycled.  Instead, they are just stacked under the stairs here until a purpose can be found for them.

Here is the bulldozer scooping the materials into the conveyer belt system.  And so it begins...

The machines in their various colors.

From the start you can view the end result.  This belt has material of the same type throw on to it.  Then the material is dumped into the compresser, and is made into blocks that are tied off.  It's very high tech.  Because different materials require different ties.

Here a magnet separates the metals out from the other things.

Up to be sorted.

People sort out the plastic items from the belt.

The end result is these box like items that can then be shipped out to various companies that will recycle them.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed this trip.  Won't lie though...I did feel very dirty afterwards.  I didn't think recycling could be such a dirty job.  I did learn a lot of things that I didn't know before.  So my knowledge has grown!!!

Research

Global Footprint Network


My footprint is:

Phone Interview

CBT Carpet Recycling
513-621-4800
513-379-2182 (cell)
Operations Manager
9/17/11 @ 9:06 AM
Johnny Grubenhoff

Is CBT Recycling tied into the Carpet America Recovery Effect?

No.  They require a membership fee to be a part of, but we do attend the meetings.

So what types of carpets do you accept?

We take Nylon 6, Nylon 66, and Polypropylene.  PET carpet is the type we don't take, but we take that to nearby plants for fuel.

What qualities do you consider when you mean "prequalifying"?

We need to update our website because we can take all carpet types now.  We just take the PET carpet elsewhere to the waste-energy plant.

What is the best carpet material to be used for recycling?

Nylon 6 is the type of carpet that is sold the most, so we are better prepared to take that.  But overall any type is good because we can take all types.

What do you all do with the carpet?

We group the carpet together based on what material it is.  We have trailers located at local carpet stores that they can place the old carpet in and we take it away.  After sorting the carpet, we bail it and then ship it off to be recycled.

How much does it cost to recycle the carpet?

Well, first there is the cost of the trailer.  But from there the carpet prices range depending on the carpet material.

Where do you ship the carpet off to once you have it bailed?

It goes to Georgia to Shaw at Columbia Recycling.  

Do you ship it down or do they come get it?

They come to pick up the carpet whenever they are making delivers up north.  So they swing by and get the old carpet on the way back to Georgia.

Do they pay you for the carpet?

Yes, they pay us for our carpet.

Are there any toxins that harm your workers when working around the carpet?

No.  We do air tests, and the last one came out fine.

I plan to look into contacting Columbia Recycling.
 706-278-4701

Research

Healthy Alternatives to Carpet

Healthy Home Plans

Some healthy alternatives to carpet include: bamboo flooring, wood flooring, natural linoleum, tile cork, and concrete flooring.  If you decide to go with carpet some naturally made fibers include: coir, wool, and sisal.  

Bamboo flooring is harder and more durable than typical hardwood flooring.  Bamboo is a very renewable resource because it grows so fast.  

Bamboo Hardwood Flooring

800-607-2414

* Emailed

Certified wood flooring are considered to be sustainably harvested.  There are guidelines that have to be followed like environmental, economic, and social aspects of forestry management.  

Eco Timber

Chanel Clifford

President of Sales and CEO

813-546-3322

303-586-9420

Natural linoleum can be used in bathrooms and kitchens mainly.  It consists of linseed oil, pine resins, and jute.  

Forbo

570-459-0771 

800-842-7839

* I requested samples from Forbo

Ceramic tile is a natural material that can also be made from recycled glass.  

Terra Green Ceramics

765-935-4760

Cork is a durable and natural material.  

Concrete can be used to, and it can even be painted or just have a clear seal over it for an industrial feel.

Reading 4

Cradle to Cradle by William McDonough and Michael Braungart

 Chapter 3 Pages 68 - 91

 At the start of the chapter, there is a mention that there are three different types of books in the world.  Book #1 consists of paper, ink (carbon black and heavy metals), and a jacket (wood pulp, polymers, coatings, ink, heavy metals, and halogenated hydrocarbons).  This type of book can't be composted or burned because it would contaminate our environment.  Book #2 consists of paper (thin), no jacket, and ink (soy-based).  This type of book can be recycled, but the thin papers make them very see through.  This causes the readers to strain their eyes in order to read.  But  this book type is considered eco-friendly.  Book #3 consists of paper (polymers, which can be infinitely recycled), inks (nontoxic), and glue (made from compatible ingredients).  The entire books can be reclaimed after being used by the publishing industry.  So this type of book would be the best for us to have with all our books being published.

The idea of the eco-efficient building means it's saves energy, minimizes air infiltration, lowers solar income, and decreases the amount of fossil fuels used.  In factory settings, the idea of being an enjoyable environment should be thought of.  "Biophilia" is the people's love of the outdoors.  

"Urban and industrial growth is often referred to as a cancer, a thing that grows for its own sake and not for the sake of the organism it inhabits." (p. 77)

Roof systems can be expensive due to flooding and heating problems that can arise.  The green roof is an alternative that could help battle the problems.  It consists of soil, a growing matrix, and plants.

We should begin to combine our way of life with nearby eco-systems, since they survive so well with no side effects (unlike us).

The future should create buildings that produce more energy than they use and purify its own waste just like trees do, factories should produce drinking water and decomposable items, and transportation should help to improve the quality of life to help create and abundant world.

Class Day 4

Special Guest: Josh Auroyo

Graduated from University of Kentucky

Architect for HBEER 1 Prototype

Monticello, KY

Talking with Josh before class he told me about the floor system they are using.  The thing they are looking to use is hardwood flooring because it allows for some air flow.  Air flow is needed due to the humidity levels because the building's envelope is sealed rather tight to allow not much energy out.  So humidity can be hidden beneath the floor system; air flow is needed.

The concept behind the HBEER (Houseboat to Energy Efficient Residences) project in general is the idea to create a structure that operates on just $1 a day.  Sadly, this prototype isn't the cheapest to build, ship, and set, which doesn't help.  Site is a huge factor with cost and also with planning.  The project cost $115,000, which was $15,000 over budget, but that doesn't even account for site conditions and land prices.

Calculations play a huge role in the development of this structure.  It's takes time...A variety of programs can also be used to test the best place to set certain aspects.

The materials used have to be researched.  80% to 90% was the goal to have materials from Kentucky.  So the idea of staying rather local is major.  Materials from Kentucky include: Fischer Sips, Castell Woodworking (casework), Monticello Hardwoods (flooring), Pella (impervia windows), and GE (appliances).  Also, certain parts of the prototype have to be brought in from outside Kentucky.

Research

Brookstone Apartments

The apartment complex I live in was the first to start the recycling trend.  That made me wonder why doesn't my complex have a composting area.  I contacted the office of my complex and proposed the question to them.  They responded via email that Bluegrass Pride, the company that handles our recycling, surveyed the apartment residents about composting and there didn't seem to be much interest.  Concerns with pest and vermin showing up became a big factor in having no composting.  Also, April Forman, the agent for my complex, said that she has a compost at your home and the raccoons seem to love it to.  So there is no hope for my apartment complex to have a composting area.  Guess I will just have continue what I'm doing until I get my own place and have my own compost space.

Research

You would think companies would be more willing to help graduate students out, especially when it spreads the word of the company.  Instead I find myself being ignored both by email and phone.  I have been unable to contact CBT Recycling for a week and it's very discouraging.  The only samples I have been able to get a whole of are from Infiltrator Systems/Champion Polymer , which I greatly appreciate.  They are a great source and very reliable and well organized.  I'm glad I made contact with them.  I may have to call them again, and ask if they get carpet from any business here in Lexington that is going to get thrown out so I can get some samples to experiment and dissect. 

Reading 3

World Changing: A User's Guide for the 21st Century by Alex Steffen (Author), Al Gore (Foreword), and Stephan Sagmeister (Designer)

Stuff and Shelter Sections Pages 32-39 and 142-152

Our society is a greedy one that is based on materialistic values.  But "how much stuff do we need?" (p. 32)  Sadly the gap between sustainability and everyday practice is very wide.  It's the opposite of what we actually need.  People can check the footprint they are causing on the world by the "Ecological Footprint Quiz".  The variety of lifestyles and technology around the world causes a shift in the average acres used per person.  America's average is 24 acres, China is 4 acres, and Pakistan is 1.5 acres.  Freecycle.org is something very similar to like craigslist or ebay.  People can post the things they are going to throw out, and people have to options of grabbing the items and using them before they go to the landfill never to get used again.  So in a way technology is actually helping in some small way.  

The idea of simplicity is something that companies can't grasp, and instead we get stuck with ipods that play music, surf the web, act as a phone, and so much more.  I myself have had the same ipod nano 1st generation for years because it serves the purpose it was made for.  I don't see the point in the advanced ipods that can do everything say your computer can do because I already have a computer.  We are just a society that when we want something (like access to the internet) we want it then.  

To buy anything organic now-a-days lots of money is required.  So how can we be healthy for ourselves and the environment and we can't afford it?!

"There are a number of US-controlled regions in other parts of the world where sweatshops laborers turn out garments that can be legally called American-made.  There are also sweatshops right here in the United States." (p. 36)  This greatly upset me, but at the same time it didn't shock me.  Which is quite sad.

The idea of comfort is greatly associated with the shelter we live within.  Like with wood flooring being used.  The effect though is that in just one hundred years over half of the world's rain forests have been torn down.  This is a startling fact.  Bamboo sounds like it is a great, renewable resource that we should use.  But why aren't we using it more???

"...buildings account for 50 percent of energy consumption in the United States and for more greenhouse-gas emissions than automobiles." (p. 147)

The Philosophy of Sustainable Design by Jason F. McLennan

Chapter 9: The Technologies and Components of Sustainable Design Pages 97-135

Through the years people have said that technology has ruined us and the environment around, but in some cases being "green" does require technology to function.  Water is a main resource used in waste disposal, but they call water non-renewable.  I feel that water in a sense is renewable because rain does happen often and that water can be collected and used.  Luckily we have begun to watch how much water we use.  This can be seen in the creation of low flow waste disposal.  Composite toilets are something that is very interesting because of the process it goes through.  It's amazing what we can do.  

"...out of sight, out of mind." (p. 102)  This is so true for our culture!!!

Why can't we follow the example set by all animals?  Because they have it all figured out.

So with the composing toilet people of the older generations are bias because they associate it with the outhouse.  So in turn we need to get rid of the old people, yet the older generations have told the younger generations about things such as outhouses.  

Why is it people choose the waterless toilet over the composting?  That to me doesn't make sense because I feel like the water toilet would be worse because the idea of everything not getting cleaned off can be an issue on health.  

With this book, I like how they included additional information for readers to follow and get more information about the items mentioned.  It's helping to spread the word.

"Why do we need drinking quality water to flush toilets?" (p. 106)  That is a very good question.

There are renewable energy sources that we can use, but the price plays a very huge role in the reason that people aren't using it...yet.  Hopefully over time that will change.  And also certain energy sources can only be used in certain areas, like with wind power.  The turbines are so big and have to be placed where there is a large amount of wind produced.  The spaces it can only be used in are rural areas, so it limits the use of it.

Natural ventilation seems like a great idea; it just stinks that the engineers are trying to design buildings with non-open windows.  That greatly restricts this type of energy saving process.  This energy source also deals greatly with the comfort level of the people within, so people have to be willing to give in and adjust.  This can be hard if you have a large building, with many occupants.  Less amount of people within the structure makes it easier, like with residential homes.

"Is a green material really green or is it green-wash?" (p. 126)

Samples

In the mail today I got myself some goodies from Champion Polymer Recycling.

Shredded carpet pieces before it gets all melted down.

And also pellets that are the melted carpet.

Email Interview

Due to the fast pace lifestyle of the world, and me being in grad school and working 20 hours a week I find my free time very little.  This is also true for companies.  So instead I had to go to emailing, so that way the person I was asking the questions to would be able to answer them whenever possible.

Kevin's Carpet
859-381-1802
Email sent: 9/6/11 @ 2:02 PM
Replied: 9/9/11 @ 11:39 AM
Kevin Holleran, Owner

How long have you been in the carpet business?

I have been in the flooring business for about 13 years.

What is the main selling element for people when they are buying carpet? Cost? Colors available? etc

Most people know little or nothing about flooring because it is something they only purchase once or twice a lifetime. The most important element in a carpet purchase should be the fiber the carpet is made with.  The area and use should be considered as different fibers have characteristics and performance strengths and weaknesses.  The next element should be style, then cost, and lastly color.

Do you sell and advertise eco-friendly carpet?  If so which ones? And what materials are they made from?

We sell and advertise many lines of carpet that are eco-friendly.  Mohawk makes much of their polyester fiber out of recycle soda bottles.  Most nylon fibers can be recycled and made into carpet again.  Mohawks Smartstrand fiber is made with corn.

Could you tell me more about Dupont Sorona Bio-PHO?  How popular is this?

The Dupont Sorona fiber is gaining popularity very fast.  It is the only fiber that is inherently stain resistant and very durable in high traffic areas.

Where are your carpets made?  Locally? What about the eco-friendly carpet?

A large portion of all the carpet made in the world is made in Dalton, Georgia.  Dalton is home to the three largest carpet producers and many smaller mills.

Do you install the carpet? If so, do people ever call you up to dispose of their old carpet?  If so, what do you do with the old carpet? Recycle? Landfill?

We install all the products we sell.  All of the rebound cushion is picked up by a company that sells it to a recycler.  Unfortunately all the old carpet is sent to the landfill.  Although most could be recycled, there are currently no logistic line to get it back to the manufacturer.

Would I be able to get carpet samples?

Samples have been increasingly hard to come by.  We don't even let our customers take them.  The salespeople take them to the customer and bring them back.

Class Day 3

 

Special Guest: Barry Prater

Central Kentucky Fiber Resources

847 Angliana Avenue

Lexington, KY 40508

859-225-8100

Central Kentucky Fiber Resources is divided into different divisions, and they are pulp, paper, graphics, packaging, and recycling.  The company was established in 2002, and has 15 employees.  The concept of W-A-L-K is important. W (water) A (and) L (land) K (kritters).  Items can be reduced (use email to save paper), reuse (reuse containers), and recycle.  "Pre"-cycling is the practice of planning for the proper process of preventing pollution by identifying and implementing the best method for returning products and packaging to reusable fiber - prior to purchase.  In 2001, the items in the United States that was thrown away into landfills was 56%, while in Japan it was only 7%.  It was be interesting to see now what the percent would be in Japan, since they got devastated by an earthquake and tsunami.  Recycling consists of categorize, collect, and combine.  Things that are unapproved materials include various grades of mixed paper, contaminated OCC (carbon black), bi-floor (foil and cardboard), and plastics #1-7s (that are not sorted).  Companies that Central Kentucky Fiber Resources include Buffalo Trace Distillery, Goodwill, and Wayne County.  In 2009, Fayette County disposed of 316,558.60 tons of waste.  For a ton that's disposed of, it costs on average $28.34 to do it.   

Week of Trash

So for the past 7 days I have kept all the items that I would have thrown out or recycled to see what I contribute to the landfills.....Minus all the gross stuff like food scraps (which if I had a compose I would put there, but I don't)....

* 1 plastic to-go box...LANDFILL

* 1 plastic water bottle...RECYCLE

* 1 plastic perfume bottle...LANDFILL

* 1 cardboard box of candy...RECYCLE

* 3 plastic chocolate bar wrappers...LANDFILL

* 1 plastic smoothie drink bottle...RECYCLE

* 1 cardboard roll from toilet paper...RECYCLE

* 1 Capri Sun drink container....RECYCLE (schools take and collect them)

* 12 Coke bottle tops...RECYCLE

* 1 plastic bag with dental flosses...LANDFILL

* 1 plastic bag with fish...LANDFILL

* 1 Coke can...RECYCLE (schools take and collect them)

* Newspaper ads...RECYCLE

* 1 cardboard envelope...RECYCLE

* 3 sheets of computer paper...RECYCLE

* 1 small Sun Chips bag...LANDFILL

* 3 piece of cardboard...RECYCLE

* 1 bag of sugar...RECYCLE

* 1 torn plastic bag...LANDFILL (usually use them for other things, but this was torn)

* 2 old reusable plastic cups...LANDFILL (they had reached the end of their life span)

* 2 plastic bag-like containers...LANDFILL

* 1 plastic bread bag...LANDFILL 

RECYCLE = 12

LANDFILL = 10

The good thing about where I live is that my apartment complex was the first one to spark the movement of recycling.  We actually have a recycling complex behind my apartment complex.  Sadly, though we can't recycle glass at my complex so instead we have to throw it away.  Recycling is free for us at the apartment, which makes recycling even easier.  Back at my parents house they would have to pay to recycle, so they don't.  And I notice all the things they throw away that could be recycled.  It's horrible!!!

One thing I wish my apartment complex did was have a community compose pile.  At my parents house they do, but they don't really use it to it's full extent.  Most of the time they just throw all their food scraps away in the trash because they don't want to have to take it outside to dispose of it. 

Phone Interviews

Eco-$mart

888-329-2705

Customer Service

9/6/11 @ 10:16 am

Matt Ross

How are the carpets made?

By machine from materials obtained around the world.  The Recycled PET Carpet is made like typical nylon carpet from anywhere else.

Where do you get the materials from?

Sea Grass and Wool come from various areas, but mainly New Zealand.  The Recycled PET Carpet gets it's products from GA and is also made there.  The PET Carpet is sold basically everywhere carpet is sold, you just have to ask for it.  The other materials are shipped in from over seas.

Do you ship out of state?

Yes, we do.  We pass a lot of our products off to other companies.

How much does it cost for the various carpets?

PET is about $1.50 to $2.50 a square foot.  Bio-floor and Wool is $4 to $5 a square foot.  Sea Grass is $2.50 to $3 a square foot.

How much do you sell of the carpets yearly?

Little carpet is sold because the main focus of Eco-$mart is commerical lighting, solar water heating, bamboo cabinets, and more.

Which carpet type sells best?

That would be the PET Carpet because of the cost.  It's the cheapest of the materials.

Are there any negatives to the carpet?

Yes, carpet doesn't help with the indoor air quality, and that is why we try to recommend customers to buy the hard surfaces for their flooring needs.

Would I be able to get some samples?

No, because we sell so little of the products that we only produce them when needed.  Go and look at local carpet places to get PET and Wool carpet samples.

Infiltrator Systems

859-556-0786

9/6/11 @ 10:26 am

Ron Brochu, Vice President of Manufacturing

What does Infiltrator Systems do?

Infiltrator Systems is a company that manufactures drainage chambers for septic and storm water management.

Can residents drop off their carpet for you to use?

We actually only take carpet from consolidators around the US.  These consolidators include companies that take carpet away from the customers and gives it to Infiltrator Systems.  And alot of the time we get carpets from manufacturers like Mohawk.  The carpet we use is ones with polypropylene fibers.

How much do you pay for the old carpet?

We pay just a little bit, maybe 5 to 10 cents a pound.

What do you do with the recycled carpet? 

We use the carpet as a whole.  We don't take it apart into the individual pieces, instead we grind it all up and melt it down in pelts that can used as additives in the chambers we manufacturer.  It's only used as an additive because the melted down carpet isn't strong enough by itself.

Would I be able to get some samples of the pelts?

Yes, email me and I can get you some information and get you a 2 pound bag of pelts for samples.

Additional Information:

Champion Polymer Recycling

Infiltrator Systems is the parent company to Champion Polymer Recycling.  They buy 150 tons of plastic resin everyday to supply to Infiltrator Systems.  Champion used polyprolene (carpet), polyethylene, and other materials from industries like automotive (structural foam crates, thermoform materials, car interiors, material handling systems/containers, plastic pallets, and TPO-painted and unpainted), building materials, beverage and bottling (bread trays/bun racks, dairy crates, and plastic cartons), food processing (chicken coops and plastic used in meat and poultry processing), grocery/bakery (bread trays/bun racks, dairy crates, and plastic cartons), and distribution centers (collapsible totes and large plastic containers).