Robert Peoples, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Carpet American Recovery Effort (CARE)

Robert Peoples, Ph.D., is Executive Director of the Carpet American Recovery Effort (CARE). In this capacity, he works to implement market-based solutions for the reuse and recycle of post-consumer carpet. Prior to rejoining CARE, he was Director of the ACS Green Chemistry Institute in Washington, D.C. where his contributions have been widely recognized.  Prior to the Green Chemistry Institute, he served as the founding Executive Director and Board member of The Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) in addition to Sustainability Director for the Carpet & Rug Institute. He is the former President of the consulting firm Environmental Impact Group, LLC.  Dr. Peoples was a key driver in the development of the NSF 140 Sustainable Carpet ANSI Standard. Prior to his role in the non-profit sector, Dr. Peoples spent 23 years with Monsanto and its spinoff Solutia where he was Director of Nylon Technology. Dr. Peoples has over seen the growth of the CARE organization from its beginnings in January 2002 to what is a $30M operational enterprise today.

An internationally recognized speaker in the areas of technology development, green chemistry, sustainability, standards, interdisciplinary innovation, and carpet reclamation, Dr. Peoples holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and mathematics from Montclair State University and a Masters and Ph.D. in physical organic chemistry from Purdue University.  He has served on a number of Boards including CARE, Chemical Sciences Roundtable of the National Academies of Science, The University of Pennsylvania Chemistry Scientific Advisory Committee, and Technical Advisory Board of World Water Relief.  Dr. Peoples served as a founding Editorial Advisor to the ACS journal, “Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering.”  He has served on California’s Green Ribbon Science Panel and was elected as CARE’s first Person of the Year.