Honours Project (BIEGN3005) Literature Review The potential use of recycled wool-rich carpet waste as a soil amendment

Currently there are no established or proven recycling options for an estimated 100,000 tonnes of wool-rich carpet shred waste produced annually in the UK. The aim of this essay is to review existing knowledge and to identify areas of future research required to identify practicable recycling options. A study of the literature on the possible uses for wool waste identified three main avenues of research that have received significant attention. There is knowledge using the waste as compost and its potential uses for soil improvement in horticulture. The latter appears to be the most practicable option for the waste, although a third application of using wool-rich carpet waste in soil re-enforcement has also been studied. There are clear gaps in knowledge to be resolved before the waste can be used as a soil amendment, and it is concluded that further research is required on contamination of the product, and on its effects on soil quality.