CLEANING UP: In 2007, the Carpet & Rug Institute (CRI), with the help of the cleaning industry published the book, “Carpet Cleaning Tips for Dummies” to help promote its Seal of Approval program by providing recommendations to consumers for the best carpet cleaning techniques, cleaning products, equipment and service providers available to prolong the life of their carpet investment. It also provides tips for pet owners as well as advice on how to clean Oriental rugs, and offers guidelines to help consumers recognize when calling a professional may be their best option. Like the rest of the “For Dummies” books, considered the world’s best selling reference series with more than 150 million books in print, the cleaning guide has cleaned up.
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THIRD PRINTING: With 80,000 copies already in print, the cleaning guide has been so successful, CRI president Werner Braun noted in his June 8 column in the Dalton Daily-Citizen it is approaching its third printing. “We are pleased this pocket handbook has proved to be so valuable to the public, requiring frequent reprints to keep up with demand. CRI has consistently promoted the book’s message that proper cleaning and maintenance of carpet makes all the difference in the world, that using good products is paramount to its beauty and longevity.” Booklets are $2 each and can be purchased from CRI’s website, carpet-rug.org. The book is a great tool for the retailer wanting to differentiate himself as it can be given to customers as part of their carpet purchase.
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RECYCLING: CRI has not only been busy keeping up with the popularity of “Carpet Cleaning Tips for Dummies,” executives have been traveling across the country to promote and educate business and government officials about the industry’s recycling efforts through the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE). Jennifer Mendez, CRI’s vice president for government relations, flew to Costa Mesa, Calif., to attend the Zero Waste Business Council’s annual conference. She reported many of the people attending the conference were very passionate about this issue. “My intent in attending was not to determine if CRI’s members should attempt to be zero-waste businesses, but rather to see if carpet was mentioned at all (especially given the passage and implementation of AB 2398). I attended only one session where carpet was mentioned, and that was in a positive light with regard to recycling.”
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RECOGNITION: Speaking of Mendez, earlier this month she was presented with the State Government Affairs Council (SGAC) Certificate, which is awarded to candidates who successfully complete a core curriculum of key competencies for state government affairs professionals. In addition, she was nominated for treasurer by SGAC’s membership. Mendez has served on the SGAC board since 2007 and is currently the association’s secretary. SGAC is the largest national association for government affairs professionals. “I am very proud to be recognized in this way, both personally, and on behalf of my industry,” she said after receiving the two honors.
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MORE RECYCLING: The second recycling conference—In the Loop: The NW Carpet Recycling Value Chain—was in Kent, Wash., and was attended by three CARE board members: Eric Nelson of Interface, Russ DeLozier of J&J Industries and Jim Lindsey of Aquafil. They noted of the 120 registered attendees, about 13 came from the carpet manufacturing industry and several carpet recycling industry participants were also there. CARE, several carpet mills and carpet recyclers had exhibits at the event offering information on carpet recycling. Several carpet recyclers are opening facilities in the Seattle area. The CARE group reported attendees were very engaged in the discussions and asked informed questions about the carpet industry and carpet construction.