CARE’s Bop Peoples Responds to Passing of Bill AB 863

On September 27, 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom approved AB 863 (Aguiar-Curry), which threatens to upend the current California Carpet Stewardship Program managed by Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE). The Carpet and Rug Institute has been vocal about the bill, highlighting the ways in which the bill will impact the flooring industry. Russ DeLozier, president of The Carpet and Rug Institute, voiced his concerns in his op-ed, “California AB 863 Is a Point of No Return.” 

Floor Trends & Installation spoke with Bob Peoples just prior to the ruling in a FloorTalk podcast: CARE Executive Director Bob Peoples Discusses Recycling Challenges and California’s AB 863 Bill. Peoples discusses the complexities of carpet recycling, technological advancements and California’s AB 863 bill. 

We reached out to Peoples to learn more about how the bill will impact carpet recycling, CARE and the flooring industry going forward.

Floor Trends & Installation: What are the next steps?

Peoples: CARE is working to fully understand how the new requirements will impact our existing approved Plan. There are many ambiguities in the statute as passed, so dialog is important to ensure we correctly interpret what is required and by when. This process is underway, and CARE understands we must submit a Plan Amendment by July 1, 2025, to align the approved current 2023 – 2027 Plan with new provisions that will go into effect before this Plan expires on December 31, 2027.

Floor Trends & Installation: What will happen to CARE? Will it be phased out, or will it be forced to abide by new governance?  

Peoples: CARE is a public benefit, 501(c)(3) non-profit with 24 years of experience and will continue to operate now and in the future.  It is too early to know what impact the governance requirements may have. CARE has been very successful in running the California carpet stewardship program and has increased the recycling rate from less than 4% to greater than 38% year to date in 2024, exceeding the Plan’s requirements. CARE will be ready to submit a new plan when required under the new law to continue the success of the program. The change in governance focuses on the California program and not the national board.

Floor Trends & Installation: When will all of this take effect?

Peoples: Various aspects of AB 863 are to be implemented at various points in the future, and we are continuing to review the legislation. We expect there will be another carpet bill introduced in 2025 to address the ambiguities of AB 863, and we look forward to being at the table to address these changes.