Post-consumer carpet processing technologies (PCC) has been named the U.S. winner and one of three winners in the Earth category of the World Energy Globe Award. PCC was selected out of 853 projects from 109 countries.

PCC’s new technology is being honored for enabling companies to recycle used carpets, save oil and help clear landfills. Each line of the machinery can reclaim up to 30 million pounds of used carpet annually. The equipment separates oil-based fiber from oil-based carpet backing. Both materials can be reused, thereby promoting sustainability and saving energy.

The new technology was developed by PCC co-owners Frank Levy, president of Stellamcor, Inc., Quogue, NY, and Sergio Dell’Orco, president of Dell’Orco & Villani (D&V), Capalle, Italy. Dell’Orco & Villani has been manufacturing textile recycling machinery since 1946. Mr. Levy teamed up with Mr. Dell’Orco 30 years ago, providing engineering and sales services in the textile recycling industry. Stellamcor and D&V are small family businesses.

PCC has licensed its technology to carpet manufacturer Interface, Inc. The first line of PCC machinery has been running in LaGrange, GA since September 2007 with additional lines planned in the near future.

It has been estimated that five billion pounds of non-biodegradable used carpet are dumped into landfills in the U.S. every year. Placed in one spot, the solid waste would need a hole one mile by one mile by 100 feet deep every year. “If incinerated,” said Mr. Levy, “the carpets will release toxic chemicals. If accumulated, they never will disintegrate, posing terrible problems for future generations.”.

“Our equipment takes apart petrol chemical components that make up the carpet,” commented Mr. Dell’Orco. “By reusing the components, businesses can be both profitable and socially responsible. We hope the recognition from this award will encourage companies and governments to help clean up the Earth’s landfills.”