InterfaceFLOR, the world’s largest manufacturer and designer of carpet tiles, offers hundreds of colour combinations, textures and patterns suitable for every kind of commercial flooring application.
A specialist in commercial heavy-duty carpet for offices, education, retail, hospitality, health and aged care, large-scale residential developments and public spaces.
All InterfaceFLOR carpet is GECA accredited, providing 100% Green Star points for flooring, significantly reducing paperwork in order to achieve a Green Star rating.
A global leader in carpet design and technical innovation, combined with a commitment to Mission Zero™ – makes choosing environmentally sound flooring not only the right thing to do, but also the easy thing to do.
Choose InterfaceFLOR carpet for your next project.
» Learn more on the InterfaceFLOR website
Sustainability attributes
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Salvaged/reused product
Many materials can be salvaged from existing structures for reuse in new projects. Salvaging products provides two primary benefits: first, reusing existing materials reduces landfill; second, making use of salvaged materials saves the resources and energy used to create new materials. Some materials are easier to reuse than others – timber floorboards, window frames, weatherboards and structural elements; bricks, tiles and pavers; and metalwork, fencing and balustrades.
Locally made
Specifying locally produced materials and products offers both economic and environmental advantages. Use of locally made products and materials minimizes transportation and shipping costs, as well as reducing the amount of energy used in transportation and any pollution that may result. In regard to natural resources – timber or stone, for example – locally sourced products can be better suited to a particular region’s climate and conditions. Further, choosing locally made products supports regional economies and local producers.
Post-consumer recycled content
Consumer goods that have served their purpose, been recycled and reprocessed are considered post-consumer recycled content. This includes products used by households, industry and commerce that, after recycling, can be reused as parts of new products or materials. Examples of post-consumer recycled content include recycled rubber tyres transformed into roofing and flooring products, and old newspaper processed into cellulose insulation.
Post-industrial recycled content
Post-industrial recycled content is essentially scrap material – waste products generated during manufacturing processes that has not been used and will not be reused in the production process. As with post-industrial recycled content, reusing these materials reduces consumption of virgin resources and stops usable industrial by-products from becoming landfill.
Recyclable
Recyclable products and materials can be reprocessed and transformed into new goods at the end of their useful life. Materials composed of a single substance (for example, aluminium or concrete) are generally easier to dismantle and recycle than those composed of multiple substances. Employing recyclable materials offers several benefits – reduced use of new resources, reduced landfill, reduced costs for manufacturers.
Production waste is recyclable
Manufacturing processes inevitably produce waste; environmentally responsible manufacturers ensure this waste is minimized and recyclable. Production waste can sometimes be reprocessed for reuse in the same production process. Alternatively, production waste may be reused in the manufacture of other products or materials (post-industrial recycled content).
Designed for disassembly
Design for disassembly is a manufacturing strategy that anticipates the future reuse of individual components or materials, enabling a product to be broken into its constituent parts for reuse or recycling. Design for disassembly can make recycling easier, resulting in less use of new resources, less energy consumption and less landfill. In economic terms, design for disassembly gives further value to products beyond their original life. Disassembling a structure rather than demolishing it can also reduce impact on the environment by reducing dust released during demolition, reducing land degradation and reducing transport costs of disposing of materials to landfill.
Supported by take-back program
A take-back program sees the manufacturer accept used products from consumers, before recycling or refurbishing them for future use. The philosophy underlying a take-back program is that manufacturers should be responsible for their products throughout their entire life, also known as a “cradle to cradle” approach to manufacturing. Reclamation programs streamline recycling for consumers and encourage manufacturers to produce recyclable products and materials.
Made using renewable energy
Many manufacturers now make use of certified renewable energy – energy produced using natural resources such as sun, wind, rain, tides and geothermal heat. Eco-conscious companies choose renewable energy to reduce their carbon footprint, to offset emissions and to fulfil stated environmental objectives. Renewable energy is estimated to supply around 18% of global energy consumption, with biomass (wood burning, for example) the most popular, followed by hydroelectricity and wind power.
Packaging is reduced
The aim is to reduce the amount of packaging required to effectively house and transport products and materials, resulting in less waste material destined for landfill, lower manufacturing costs for producers, and reduced transportation costs. Some manufacturers implement returnable packaging systems or heavily in recyclable packaging. Paper, glass, metal and board packaging can be readily recycled.
Emits low VOCs
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emissions from carbon-containing compounds that pollute the air. VOCs are released from many common building products including solvents, paints and lacquers, adhesives, fabrics, carpets, printed paper, board products and composite timber. Rating schemes often categorize VOC content as low, very low, ultra low and zero.
Low embodied water
Like embodied energy, embodied water is the water used to create and distribute a product or material (as distinct from water used during its operation). Reducing the amount of embodied water in a product’s manufacture and distribution can lessen its impact on the environment.
Low embodied energy
Embodied energy refers to the energy consumed in producing and distributing products and materials. This spans the extraction of resources, processing and manufacturing, and distribution of the final product. Products and materials with low embodied energy generally require simpler manufacturing processes – for example, natural resources such as timber require less processing than aluminium and other metals. Specifying products with low embodied energy can reduce pollution, depletion of resources and degradation of the environment.
Reduces energy consumption
Making use of materials and products that reduce energy consumption can have a major influence on the environmental impact of a building project. Teaming passive design strategies (orientation, building shape, natural lighting and ventilation) with low-energy lighting, thermally efficient insulation and low-e glass can reduce a project’s reliance on heating and cooling systems, resulting in lower energy consumption. Likewise, use of energy-efficient appliances, alternative energy systems (solar, hydro) and building management systems can also reduce the project’s carbon footprint.
Reduces heating or cooling load
Heating and cooling load is the amount of energy consumed to maintain a desired temperature within a building. Project design – and the materials and products employed – plays a significant role in optimizing the performance of heating and cooling systems, to reduce the energy expended on internal climate control. Elements that affect heating and cooling load include heat transferred through glass windows and doors, infiltration of outside air, and the impact of people, lighting and electronic equipment.
Reduces waste or pollution
Streamlined production processes can reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing. Environmentally responsible manufacturers focus upon reducing emissions, minimizing waste created during production, and ensuring energy-efficient operation. Waste-reducing production can also reduce costs, as manufacturers can make better use of resources.
