Large-scale flooring contractors often sell their "tear-out" padding to these brokers in massive 800lb bales.

These recyclers often pay by the pound (typically $0.05 to $0.15 per lb ) for clean, dry padding.

The primary buyers are companies that collect post-consumer foam and process it into (the multicolored foam often found under residential carpets).

Some local flooring tool and supply distributors, like Hank’s Specialties , run recycling programs where they buy back used padding from installers.

They may offer cash or in-store credit that installers can use toward new tools and materials. 3. "Mom & Pop" Establishments