CARE Carpet Recycling Assessment: California's Per-Square-Yard Carpet Stewardship Fees
Reference for the CARE (Carpet America Recovery Effort) carpet recycling assessment in California, requiring separately stated per-square-yard fees on carpet and carpet tile sold in the state.
This is a regulated fee — required or governed by law in the jurisdictions below.
Overview
California requires retailers to collect a carpet stewardship assessment on all carpet and carpet tile sold in the state, administered by CARE (Carpet America Recovery Effort). The assessment funds collection, processing, recycling subsidies, drop-off site support, and education programs for post-consumer carpet. Retailers must separately state the assessment on invoices and maintain compliance records. The assessment rate is set annually by CARE and approved by CalRecycle. California is currently the only state with a mandatory carpet stewardship program with point-of-sale fees, though other states have explored similar legislation.
Fee schedule by jurisdiction
3 jurisdictions with active fee requirements.
| Jurisdiction | Fee |
|---|---|
| California (Broadloom carpet — <10% post-consumer content) | $1.05 per square yard |
| California (Broadloom carpet — ≥10% post-consumer content) | $1.05 per square yard |
| California (Carpet tile — ≥10% post-consumer content) | $1.40 per square yard |
California (Broadloom carpet — <10% post-consumer content)
$1.05 per square yard
Broadloom carpet with less than 10% post-consumer recycled content
Must be separately stated on invoices. Rate increased effective February 1, 2025.
Effective Feb 1, 2025
California (Broadloom carpet — ≥10% post-consumer content)
$1.05 per square yard
Broadloom carpet with 10% or more post-consumer recycled content
Effective Feb 1, 2025
California (Carpet tile — ≥10% post-consumer content)
$1.40 per square yard
Carpet tile with 10% or more post-consumer recycled content
Effective Feb 1, 2025
Enforcement
Retailers who fail to collect and remit the carpet stewardship assessment face enforcement from CalRecycle, including penalties and compliance orders. CARE must achieve recycling targets set by CalRecycle or face program modifications.
Official sources
Shopify compliance
This is a mandatory fee — merchants selling in covered jurisdictions are legally required to collect it. Shopify requires that mandatory fees be clearly disclosed to customers before checkout. Use a Shopify app like Magical Fees to automate collection and ensure compliance.
This information is maintained by the Magical Apps team and reviewed semi-annually. Always consult official government sources for the most current requirements.
Quick facts
- Regulation
- California Carpet Stewardship Program (AB 2398 / CARE)
- Country
- United States
- Jurisdictions
- 3
- Category
- Recycling Fees
Explore U.S. Carpet Recycling Fees (CARE Program) in practice
See how to automate this fee on Shopify and browse other regulations in this category.
Related use cases
Set up with Magical Fees on Shopify.
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