Cleanstream Carpets operates a carpet tile reuse and recycling service in the UK. They collect used carpet tiles, sort them, and either reuse tiles that are still in good condition or send damaged tiles to be shredded and recycled. This extends the lifespan of carpet tiles and diverts waste from landfill. Cleanstream employs local people and works with social enterprises. They have diverted increasing amounts of carpet tile waste from landfill each year. Their business model provides both environmental and social benefits.

1. Cleanstream
Carpets: Product
Reuse makes
Business sense
By: Ecodesign Centre
Carpet tiles make up approximately 3.5 million tonnes of waste
in Wales annually. Through providing avenues for carpet reuse
Cleanstream Carpets are providing an essential service to give
carpet tiles a second life.

2. “Recycled materials can sometimes offer unconventional
constraints, but with the application of good design, these were
easily overcome to create a unique office environment. The
range of products offered by Cleanstream allowed me to easily
coordinate and complement the existing design specification
of the project. As a designer, I was impressed by the extensive
range and quality of the reused tiles on offer at Cleanstream.”
~ Lisa Tobia, Tobia Design
Cleanstream Carpets operate a UK-wide For Cleanstream reuse is the first option. In
recovery, reuse and recycling service for accordance with the waste hierarchy, reuse is
office and retail carpet tiles. Cleanstream better than recycling is better than landfilling,
was established in 2008 and was a natural and extends the lifecycle of the materials and
progression for its founder Ellen Petts with product far beyond scenarios where a tile is
her experience in both the social and furniture directly recycled, increasing employment as
sectors. Cleanstream Carpets are located in well reducing environmental burden across the
Porth and currently employ 5 people. lifecycle. We can all learn from Cleanstream, as
intercepting at the reuse stage is something that
The Cleanstream business model delivers needs to be implemented across other sectors
both environmental and social benefits. As a and waste streams.
social enterprise, the business is committed to
generating local employment and supporting One of the biggest challenges for Cleanstream
community development through training is consistency and continuity of supply, as often
and support for the long term unemployed. supplied tiles may be partially damaged with
By intercepting a material stream that would some beyond reuse. Often collections will be
otherwise be landfilled, Cleanstream can once-off scenarios and the incoming stock is
provide a much needed high quality, low cost unpredictable. To better manage this aspect
product for clients on lower incomes. In 2010 of their business Cleanstream are turning to
Cleanstream diverted 23 tonnes of tile waste design as a solution. Bringing design to refit
from landfill, in 2011 this increased to 50 tonnes projects can enhance the marketability of the
and in 2012 already they are looking at 79 service by improving aesthetics at the refit
tonnes of waste diversion. stage. There are also design opportunities
through looking at avenues for dying stained
The modular design of a carpet through carpet tiles to dark colours to further increase the
tiling lends itself well to a reuse business model. quantity of reusability of incoming tiles and
Worn carpets may only need replacement of ultimately extend the life of the materials and
some tiles to renew it. Cleanstream’s core product.
supplier base is that of the retail and corporate
sector. More often than not, in these cases One of their most recent projects has involved
carpet tiles are designed for a longer life than working with Lisa Tobia of Tobia Design to refit
the product is actually used for. For instance, the new Welsh Women’s Refuge at Caxton
in corporate offices carpets may be changed Place in Cardiff. Tobia Design offers a bespoke
regularly due to corporate rebranding, quality interior design consultation service for clients
standards and styling choices. In the case of within the public and private sectors liaising
tiles being beyond repair, then, Cleanstream closely with clients to develop unique interior
will sort and send the tiles to a third party for solutions that are both functional and stylish.
shredding and reprocessing into new feedstock. The facility has been refitted with 100%
reclaimed tiles.

3. “WWA also wanted to use its funds in a way which maximised
benefits for both the environment, and other not for profit
organisations where possible...By using Cleanstream for
recycled carpets, not only were we able to achieve significant
financial savings compared to new, but were able to use our
imagination with regard to the design of the flooring...not only
do we have flooring that we like, but at the same time have
significantly reduced the negative environmental impact that
using a ‘standard’ company to remove old and supply new
flooring would have had.”
~ Jemma Wray, Welsh Women’s Aid