A backing or an intermediate layer for a surface covering is described which
comprises
a fused recycled material, wherein the material comprises a thermoplastic material,
for instance, a vinyl material from a vinyl backed carpet or vinyl backed carpet
manufacturing waste or both. Surface coverings containing the backing or intermediate
layer of the present invention are also described as well as methods of making
the backing or intermediate layer and methods of making the surface coverings containing
the backing or intermediate layer of the present invention.