Achieving circular economy through circular resources: a study of carpet waste minimisation in New Zealand

Purpose Circular Economy (CE) is a regenerative technique that keeps resources in use through their optimisation and/or recovery after the end of their useful life. In the recent decade, extensive research has been done in the field of carpet waste minimisation to achieve CE. In New Zealand (NZ), Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste contributes half of the total landfill waste, and end-of-life carpets are one of the waste streams in C&D waste that require attention from Construction Industry practitioners. Design/methodology/approach A comprehensive worldwide literature review on carpet waste, its minimisation, challenges in minimisation and remedial measures was conducted to understand the current state of the art. Furthermore, six interviews were conducted in the Auckland region to identify current carpet waste minimisation practices and the feasibility of new approaches. Findings The findings show eight themes and 91 solutions that divert carpet waste from landfill to achieve CE. The solutions are classified into eight different categories: Refuse, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Remanufacture, Repurpose, Recycle and Recover, based on a CE hierarchy. Some of the commonly adopted approaches are: reduce and reuse of old carpet; use of recyclable fibres; redesigning the manufacturing process; and recovering useable material from old carpets to produce new carpets. This research suggests that the most readily available options in Auckland are the recycling and recovery of old carpets. Research limitations/implications The theoretical implications of this study support the notion that CE extends beyond recycling, necessitating systemic change across the entire value chain within the carpet industry. Moreover, the findings underscore the importance of stakeholder engagement in effective waste minimisation, as the circularity of resources relies heavily on collaborative cooperation among all involved parties. The study also highlights the need for behavioural change, advocating for the implementation of take-back policies that distribute responsibility equitably among stakeholders. Practical implications In the context of practical implications, this study suggests that CE principles should be embedded across functional areas, from design to marketing, to improve waste minimisation. Further, NZ carpet industry practitioners have an opportunity to collaborate to improve reverse logistics and eliminate linear use of carpets. Originality/value This research delves deeper into carpet waste minimisation in NZ. In addition, it proposes a fresh perspective on achieving CE in the NZ Construction Industry.