TieTek has agreed to test and develop the use of post consumer carpet as a key component for composite railroad crossties. Currently, companies have to cut down over 3 million trees a year in the United States to make wood crossties that must be treated with creosote, which leaches into the environment. Composite crossties are designed to protect the environment by eliminating the need for cutting down trees, discontinuing the use of creosote, and keeping carpet and other recycled materials out of landfills, according to TieTek.