CRI
Response to Adverse Statements On PVC/Vinyl
Contact: CRI Communications Department, 706.428.2103
DALTON, GA (December 2003) -- The Carpet and Rug Institute [CRI] is aware of various negative reports with respect to polyvinyl chloride [PVC], also known as vinyl:
- CRI confirms that some carpet made in the United States does incorporate
vinyl and states that vinyl is an appropriate raw material for carpet backing
applications. CRI has been testing carpet produced in the United States for
over twelve years and has established guidelines and parameters to ensure
the consumer receives a safe, quality product. Vinyl-backed carpets meet these
guidelines and parameters.
- With respect to recycling, or more appropriately value recovery at the end
of carpet's original life cycle, CRI and its member companies are working
to develop value recovery pyramids for all of the various carpet systems in
use today, including vinyl-backed carpet. It is CRIs aspirational goal to
have zero carpet go to a landfill. Although organizations such as Greenpeace
challenge the recycling of vinyl in general, the carpet industry has been
an innovation leader by creating large-scale operational capability to recycle
vinyl-backed carpet.
- Greenpeace makes so many unfounded negative claims
about vinyl that they cannot all be addressed in
a short position statement. We invite you to
contact
CRI for additional information and specifics. For
more information, please visit the CRI website,
www.carpet-rug.org.
- Additional information on specific Greenpeace allegations concerning vinyl
is available from The Vinyl Institute.
- Additional information on specific Greenpeace allegations concerning vinyl chloride monomer or dioxins is available from The Chlorine Chemistry Council.
