Can Carpet Tiles Go Green?

Going green, environmental awareness and eco friendly are words that have become part of our daily lexicon. Nearly every industry operates initiatives designed to help protect the planet and the futures of our children. The manufacturing of carpet tiles is no different, but needs not only to be eco friendly on a global scale, but also environmentally sound within a work or home space. So how do manufacturers go about making a “green” tile? What should the consumer be looking for when making their selection on the most eco friendly floor covering? To start with a responsible company makes best use of the cut offs and waste materials that are a by-product of manufacturing. This starts at the very beginning of the process as the backing is recycled as it goes through the production line. The excess is trimmed off the side and then manually put in back into the hopper. With the left over yarn at the end of the production run, the bobbins are unwound and the yarn is recycled. Whilst this is a good indicator of environmental awareness, a further step can be taken by reducing the waste in the first place and this is something that is being implemented as this article is being written. Even the most unlikely of materials can be used in the make-up of an eco tile. Many companies use 100% recycled PET bottles. They use the bottle scrap and through a process of grinding, removal and separation, end up with recycled polyester flakes. By taking these flakes and extruding, pelletizing, spinning and fleecing them, the primary backing is produced. Resources such as water are a crucial element in manufacturing and even this is diligently monitored. Rain water, which is collected on site, is the only water used in the process of manufacture for Bürofloor carpet tiles. Further steps have been taken which have reduced water usage by nearly 44% over the last four years. With the drought warnings and hosepipe bans that have become a regular occurrence, this is a vital effort to conserve natural resources. Greenhouse gases are a danger of which we're all conscious. Combustion of fossil fuels contributes massively to the damage to our planet. This has been recognised by tile manufacturers who are steadily making the move towards solar power. One of our manufacturing centres now has a capacity of 467,500 kWh of energy, representing 14% of itselectricity consumption. It is this ethos and dedication to conservation that ensures that carpet tile manufacturing is rapidly becoming a greener process. And it doesn’t stop at the development of the tiles. Our packaging itself comes from 100% recycled cardboard as does our sample book. From the beginning to the very end, we're making sure that care and attention is taken to ensure that the consumer receives the most eco-friendly tile possible. Carpet tiles also have to perform within the space they’re being utilised. In a world where we're becoming more susceptible to ailments such as asthma and allergies, the make-up of textile flooring is crucial to the well-being of the consumer. Lead used to feature heavily in the make-up of tiles which we of course nowadays recognise as a dangerous substance. Our tiles are free of lead, cadmium, mercury or chromium. The bitumen used in the backing of carpet tiles is not oxidised and has not been processed with solvents, resulting in a supple, wear resistant and solvent-free backing. An independent testing body, the GUT institute, carries out a series of tests and issues certification that shows our tiles do not contain harmful substances or give off emissions or odours.