Innovative products, services and procedures that have been implemented to achieve significant environmental milestones.
Carpet tile manufacturer Interface has reached a series of environmental milestones at its European manufacturing facility in Scherpenzeel, Netherlands. As of January 2014, Interface has been operating with 100% renewable energy (both electricity and gas), using almost zero water in its manufacturing process, and has also attained zero waste to landfill.
This is a significant step forward for the company as it strives towards Mission Zero at all its facilities – Interface’s pledge to eliminate any negative impact it has on the environment by 2020 with the aim of becoming a restorative enterprise.
Furthermore, Interface recently introduced several innovations that are significantly reducing its impact on the environment, achieving 95% water reduction and 90% carbon reduction as from January 2014. An example of this is Interface’s recent switch to bio-gas at Scherpenzeel. This gas is created by anaerobic digestion of fish, chocolate and bread waste, which is filtered to natural gas and pumped into the grid. The other major innovation implemented has been a water circulation system through closed-loop piping.
From an innovative product perspective, Interface has introduced a new stylish carpet tile collection inspired by the ocean and its plight. Net Effect products incorporate discarded fishing nets, collected through Net-Works and then recycled into yarn by key Interface supplier Aquafil. Net Works is the result of a collaboration between global carpet tile manufacturer Interface, Inc., the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and Project Seahorse Foundation for Marine Conservation Inc., Philippines (PSF).By establishing a community-based supply chain for discarded fishing nets in the Philippines, Net-Works aims to improve the livelihood of local fishermen in some of the world’s poorest coastal communities while providing Interface with an innovative source of recycled material for its carpet tiles, while cleaning up beaches in the process. Product innovation forms an integral part of Interface’s operations, underpinning every business, manufacturing and design decision it makes.
Interface’s range of stylish and sustainable carpet tiles is available through Kevin Bates Albert Carpets, who have distributed Interface’s products for over 30 years. The Cape Town and Johannesburg based company continues to support and source from manufacturers committed to producing environmentally responsible products. As a member of the GBCSA, Kevin Bates Albert Carpets shares in the council’s aim to reduce the negative impact that buildings have on the environment.
