Every year, 1,7000,000 m² (~1,200 tons) of textile flooring is installed in Belgium. After an average lifespan of approximately 10 years, the discarded carpet is usually collected as flammable waste, resulting in a major environmental impact and loss of valuable resources.
The purpose of this Living Lab is the preconditions for reuse, repair and refurbishing business models to determine, as an eligible fraction, bottlenecks to be solved via, among other things, eco-design, necessary actors, training and the logistics chain. Via demonstrators the possibilities will be demonstrated. In addition, the Living Lab Carpet will pay particular attention to awareness-raising.
The project consortium consists of the most important links in the value chain and is assured of IMOG's commitment to the collection and sorting of EoL carpets.
The realization of a systemic change in such an ecosystem is a long and challenging process that requires the various players in the value chain (s) to work together.
In addition to actors from the carpet sector itself (companies, sector organization, knowledge center, training center), custom companies, designers, innovators, social economy, recycling companies... are also involved in this Living Lab.
Living Lab Carpet is part of the Living labs circular economy, supported by VLAIO (VNS.2022.0138).
VLAIO is the Flemish government's point of contact for all entrepreneurs in Flanders. We stimulate and support innovation and entrepreneurship and contribute to a favourable business climate. We do this in cooperation with numerous partners.
VLAIO is fully committed to circular business. That is why this VLAIO project received support and funds from the European Commission's NextGenerationEU fund.
