Like many girls her age, my daughter loves Disney princesses; however, this eco-mom does not. Besides the lack of multiculturalism and the message of young women depending upon princes to rescue them, it is the “junk toy” quality of Disney products that keeps them out of our home. When my daughter saw that FLOR made modular carpet tiles from recycled content with Disney princesses on them, she thought her letter to Disney had worked and convinced the company to go green. Who am I to burst her bubble and tell her that FLOR Carpet Tiles are actually made by InterfaceFLOR.
InterfaceFLOR has created Mission Zero, a company pledge “to completely eliminate the negative impact our company may have on the environment by 2020.” The company further explains its commitment to sustainability:
- Our intention is to put back more than we take out
- Our intention is to eliminate waste and harmful emissions, whilst maximising our use of renewable energy
- We aim to recycle waste materials and reuse our products
- Our company culture fully integrates the principles of sustainability
In fact, the company has an entire website dedicated to sustainability. I have to say I am impressed! Although 2020 seems like it is far off, perhaps it is a realistic goal. InterfaceFLOR has been working towards its sustainability goals since its inception.
In the last 12 years, we have reduced manufacturing waste sent to landfills by 63% and our absolute greenhouse gas emissions by 56% worldwide.
FLOR carpet tiles are constructed of nylon, hemp, and wool. The carpet backings are made of recycled materials (currently 40%-80%). Furthermore, FLOR has a program called R-R (Return-Recycle):
FLOR has an R&R™ program (Return-Recycle) that allows customers to share the responsibility of living green with FLOR. If you’re ready to get rid of existing FLOR to make room for new FLOR in your home, contact us. We’ll arrange for your used carpet tiles to be picked up and shipped back to our mill, where the old tiles will be recycled into new product.
FLOR tiles are easy to install. You can make an area rug with the carpet tiles or cover a room wall-to-wall. FLOR Dots, round stickers, are used to attach the back side of the tiles together. Also, the tiles are easy to cut with a sharp utility knife or carpet knife (recommended). The carpet tiles have a short pile, making them easy to clean. FLOR tiles come in many colors and patterns, so they are perfect for any room in your house.
My only advice to InterfaceFLOR is to promote it’s R-R program and sustainability goals more predominately on its packaging. I have seen FLOR carpet tiles in major retailers before, but for this eco-shopper, I have walked right by them not knowing what a great company is behind the product. Educating shoppers is important, as we try to make eco-decisions when we consume.
Are there any emissions? I mean from the carpet itself? It sounds clean but I don’t know what they’ve used to hold the fibers together to the backing. They mention production emission but not material.
I’ve looked at those for the kids.
We’ve got to replace our flooring. We’d like something eco-friendly, so of course linoleum is at the top of that list, but I’m worried about resale value. And…carpet is nice in kids’ rooms and playrooms.
Thanks for the great article and info. I always read this blog.
Julie
Using My Words
Here is some information from FLOR that hopefully answers your questions, Julie.
What about IAQ – indoor air quality? (Chemical Sensitivity & Off Gassing)
Generally, carpet tends to off-gas at the highest rate for the first four hours following its manufacturing
and then diminishes its output greatly. FLOR products DO NOT contain the traditional
carpet components that off-gas upon installation, including Formaldehyde and SBR Latex which
can produce 4 P.C.H. (new carpet smell). FLOR uses an EVA latex which is formaldehyde-free with
low VOC content (Volatile Organic Compound emissions). FLOR tiles meet or exceed the guidelines
of the Carpet and Rug Institute’s (CRI) Indoor Air Quality Testing Program, the State of Washington
Protocol and the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) Indoor Air Quality Test –
Section 1350.
Does FLOR contain recycled content?
By 2020, it is our goal that all of our carpet backing will contain 100% recycled content.
Currently, most of the FLOR products have a percentage of recycled content, however all products
can be reclaimed to be repurposed, recycled or downcycled. The GlasBac backing of the tiles (on all
products except House Pet, Green Acres and Working Class) contains 40% post-industrial recycled
content. Fedora, a soft, felted texture contains an impressive 80% post-consumer content.
Which FLOR products are made with natural fibers?
Some FLOR styles feature fibers made from renewable resources like cotton, wool and corn.
Coir² is a blend of coir and sisal. Heartfelt blends wool and Kenaf (a fibrous African plant). Mop Top
is comprised of 50% cotton and Terra contains 34% PLA, a highly-renewable fiber derived from corn.
Is FLOR manufactured in an earth-friendly manner?
FLOR is working to protect your air and climate by using landfill gas, solar power and green
energy to power our facilities. We are actively using solar power and 100% renewable electricity in
manufacturing and we buy certified green energy (wind, solar, etc). FLOR protects the Earth’s water
resources by eliminating its role in the manufacturing process. Since 1996, Interface has reduced
our total energy consumption by 29%. We are continually establishing programs to offset emission
of climate-changing gases and we are well on our way to disconnecting our manufacturing plants
from the use of oil.
Im doing a report on recycle carpet, and im only a freshman, so can anyone tell me wat are the benifit in using recycle carpet? i really apprecient it. THNXX
Ashley, Anytime you can make a new item out of recycled materials, it is better for the earth. Carpeting is just one example. The less raw, new materials go into the product, the less natural resources are used, whether in the actual materials used or energy used to manufacture manmade materials. Good luck on your report!
Things to like about FLOR:
– formaldehyde-free
– low-VOC
– easy to Return & Recycle
– some tiles made from up to 80% recycled materials
– other tiles made from renewables like wool, cotton and corn
– available in happy-face design! 🙂
Full review — http://1greenproduct.com/2008/09/home-flor-modular-carpeting.html
– Aaron Dalton, 1GreenProduct.com