You may have seen a lot of discussion lately surrounding a Horse & Hound article highlighting the use of waste carpet within the equestrian surfacing industry and it’s imminent termination.

Due to the amount of speculation that’s currently firing across social media platforms as well as our own phone lines, we thought it best to clarify exactly what the new legislation means and what it means for Foley’s Equestrian Surfaces.

First and foremost, we welcome the removal of the RPS248 which will see the end of highly contaminated, shredded post-consumer/waste carpet permitted in equestrian surfacing.

Why? Because the EA ( Environment Agency)  have concerns surrounding the processing of this waste material, which could run the risk of containing dangerous chemicals including Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), PFOA and PFOS from historical carpets – the contaminants in question that’s brought on the most recent changes – but can also contain a whole host of physical contaminants from metal to toiletries and more. 

It’s for this reason that when Foley’s Equestrian Surfaces was established, we made the decision to only supply brand new virgin carpet within our surfaces.

We purchase directly from the manufacturers. Not only are our carpet fibre equestrian surfaces made from virgin carpet but they’re also put through stringent quality controls prior to production while also chemically tested. They’re then bagged direct from at source to ensure no contamination. Put simply – our Foley’s Equestrian Surfaces ARE NOT made from waste carpet, rather virgin synthetic materials, which ensures a clean and more importantly, safe surface for you to ride on.

So what does this mean for you?

This means Foley’s Equestrian Surfaces are not a supplier of waste carpet; our surfaces are not affected by the new ruling.

Our virgin carpet equestrian surfaces are in fact the ideal choice in the current climate, providing peace of mind that you’re choosing a safe surface that won’t be affected by the imminent changes come January 1st 2024. 

We understand that the recent announcement of new ruling may be worrying for some. We do hope however, that this clears up any concern with regards to our surfaces and their suitability for your arenas now or in the future. 

To provide even more clarity, here are some FAQs we’ve received since the publication in Horse & Hound.

Q. Will you stop supplying your carpet fibre surfaces January 1st?

A. No, our surfaces are virgin, synthetic materials. Our carpet fibre is NOT classified as a waste, it is NOT waste carpet. It is a brand new product that we purchase direct from the manufacturer.

Q. Will I be required to lift my surface when the new ruling begins January 1st?

A. No, because our carpet fibre isn’t waste carpet. That being said, we will always provide advice with regards to safe, end of life disposal however many years down the line that may be. We’ll always advise you to contact your local authorities and use accredited waste disposal companies with the necessary permits. It’s also worth noting however, that even surfaces containing waste carpet fibre may not be required to be lifted post January 1st 2024.

Q. Will I still be able to source topper material in the future?

A. Yes, due to our material not being classified as a waste, we aren’t affected by RPS248 and will therefore still be supplying after January 1st 2024.

Q. What is POPs waste and does Foley’s Equestrian Surfaces contain POPs waste?

A. POPs waste stands for Persistent Organic Pollutants, a group of organic compounds with toxic properties that pose a risk to human health and the surrounding environment.

Q. I want to know more information regarding these new guidelines, where can I find this information?

A. You can keep updated, by contacting your local EA or check the .Gov website in relation to the RPS248.