Sustainability Consulting

One of the hottest topics these days are “green” products. AFR will help you specify environmentally responsible floor covering for your next project.

What is “green” flooring?

To get a better idea, two very credible sources that define “green” are as follows:

• • The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) states that, “Green is any material or construction method which does not utilize non-renewable and/or non-recycled material or energy sources. Non-renewable materials are those which come from sources which, once depleted, are gone forever, such as petroleum, some materials, and old-growth hardwoods. Green also refers to systems which embody less energy in their manufacturing process or use less energy when in use.
• • Environmental Building News says that, “Green products are a loosely defined collection of construction products that reduce environmental impact, including reduced energy consumption, protection of the ecosystem, and occupant health.”

How does this apply to floor covering?

On a scale of greenness, floor covering rates increasingly higher if it meets only one or more of these criteria.

• • Is it made from ingredients that reduce overall material or energy use?
• • Is it made from salvaged products?
• • Has post-consumer recycled content?
• • Has post-industrial recycled content from the products manufacturing process, or from another product’s waste or by products?

Green Flooring:

• • If “natural” is made from abundant and renewable natural materials
• • If “hardwood”, is made from certified wood products that were harvested responsibly
• • If “synthetic”, has attributes that contribute to overall environmental responsibility including low energy use to manufacture or disposal, long cycle, recyclability, reclamation programs, etc.
• • Is recyclable and/or can be reclaimed and become part of a closed-loop recycling system or recycled into additional useful products
• • Reduces the need for renovations or replacement