The Ample Sample design competition was one way to recycle unused carpet scraps; a company called Universal Fiber is using a different method to recycle entire tracts of post-consumer (i.e. used) carpet.

Universal diverts literally tons of post-consumer Nylon 6,6 carpet from landfills, separates the face fiber and conducts multi-step cleaning processes, making the fluff suitable for making more than 70 designer shades of carpet yarn. No toxic or heavy metals are involved; no effluent streams are created from traditional dyeing; all polymeric manufacturing waste is recovered and reused. This domestically-made product reduces oil consumption [and] clearly saves energy.

The resultant product, dubbed ReFresh Fiber, just won New York House magazine's Innovative Green Design Award in the Flooring/Floor Coverings Category.