Mohawk EverStrand BCF/Filament Fiber Now Available with Post Consumer Content

Posted on November 3, 2009 by floors_admin

everstrand-big Mohawk has developed technology which allows the use of post-consumer recycled content in its EverStrand BCF fiber styles. The company has been offering 100% post-consumer recycled in its EverStrand staple polyester fiber.

Effective immediately, all of Mohawk EverStrand BCF and Mohawk EverStrand BCF XtraSoft fibers will include post-consumer recycled content from plastic bottles. Additionally, Mohawk will provide On Demand Certification Letters to document recycled content for all EverStrand carpet styles.

David Duncan, Mohawk’s Vice-President of Marketing, said new EverStrand filament styles are being introduced that will contain the new fiber.

“We’re expanding the EverStrand BCF collection, particularly with new products in our EverStrand BCF XtraSoft fiber,” he said.

EverStrand BCF XtraSoft fiber brings a superior level of aesthetics, performance, and feel to the polyester category. Introduced last year in Mohawk’s “Sensationally Soft” line, the fiber offers “quality, durability and softness that reaches new heights for polyester,” Duncan said. It also offers a lifetime stain resistance warranty.

Duncan and Cross noted that Mohawk has a heritage in recycling plastic bottles into carpet, and plans to further develop its EverStrand BCF technology to include more post consumer recycled content in the future.

Mohawk has recycled more than 24 billion soft drink bottles for use in carpet fiber, and continues recycling more than 3 billion bottles each year. One out of every four bottles recycled in North America becomes Mohawk carpet. Mohawk’s EverStrand fiber is a staple polyester that has long been produced entirely from recycled soft drink bottles.

Because the US Food & Drug Administration requires top quality PET (polyethylene terephthalate) for beverage bottles, the recycled product offers superior performance characteristics over many fibers used in making other brands of carpet yarns. On average, 30 plastic bottles are recycled to make one square yard of Mohawk EverStrand carpet. To learn more, visit www.mohawkgreenworks.com.

Blog Action Day 2009: Eco Friendly Flooring Options

Posted on October 15, 2009 by creatingyourspace

Blog Action Day is an annual event held every October 15 that unites the world’s bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day with the aim of sparking discussion around an issue of global importance. Blog Action Day 2009 will be one of the largest-ever social change events on the web. This year, From the Floors Up is participating by posting about eco friendly flooring options.

There are the basic needs in life; food, water, clothing and shelter. Our homes, our shelters, are more than a mere physical structure. They are the place where we retreat for protection, comfort and spend time with friends and family. The materials used for and in our homes reflect who we are but these materials can come at a large cost to our environment.

Today, manufacturers, architects, designers and builders are stepping up to address their role in providing materials, designs and practices that pave the way for environmentally responsible homes.

What does it mean to be GREEN?

A product’s ‘eco-balance’ is based on an analysis of: its durability and whether its production;

Uses primary energy carriers, such as mineral oil and gas;
Depletes scarce raw materials;
Has fertilization effects;
Leads to acidification;
Damages the ozone layer;
Contributes to global warming;
Produces waste products.

Green Flooring Options

Green flooring is any flooring that is sustainable, eco-friendly, contains recycled content, is recyclable, leaves a small carbon footprint or has low VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compound). There are different degrees of green when referring to different types of flooring.

Cork

Better than a renewable resource because it is a harvested resource (only the bark is harvested from the tree)
A recycled product because cork floors are made from the waste cork that makes wine stoppers.
A law in the 1930’s called “The 9 Year Law” was passed to keep cork from being harvested any sooner than every 9 years. The tree has to reach 60 cm in circumference before it can be harvested. The first harvest from a cork tree can only occur at age 25.
The tree is not destroyed or damaged when harvesting cork.
To complete the environmentally sound process, water based finishes and adhesives should be used.

Bamboo

Bamboo is a rapidly renewing resource that matures in three years
It regenerates without need for replanting
It also requires minimal fertilization or pesticides
There are now FSC certified bamboo options available so it is important to see what you can confirm about the bamboo you are interested in before purchasing.

Carpet

According to the Carpet and Rug Institute: The carpet industry is minimizing carpet’s impact on the environment through the new “3 Rs” which stand for reduce, reuse and recycle. When carpet reaches the end of its long life, it is reused to make new carpet or is recycled into a variety of products, ranging from roofing shingles and railroad ties to automotive parts.
Factors that determine if carpet is “green”: carpet fibers, toxics content, dye, VOC emissions, and recycled content.
The Green Label and Green Label Plus from the Carpet and Rug Institute ensure that customers are purchasing among the lowest emitting carpet, adhesive and cushion products on the market.

Stone

There is no clear data on the impact of using stone as a building material on the environment; when the data is collected it will contain information on water and energy consumption, yields from raw materials, recyclability and other measures that are considered in life cycle assessments, energy used in transportation, processing and selling the material.

Stone has the following features:

It’s a natural product
It has an enduring life cycle so it doesn’t have to be replaced
Ease of care and maintenance
Recyclable
Quarry and manufacturing use best practices
Can be reclaimed

Hardwood

Natural Resource
Renewable
Recyclable
Suitable for a “healthy home” environment
Forests are managed for replanting

Linoleum

Made from all natural materials
The natural raw materials used to create Linoleum are available in abundance: linseed oil, rosin, wood flour, cork flour, ecologically responsible pigments and jute.
These raw materials are harvested or extracted with relatively little energy consumption. The main energy resource for the process is the sun. The plants and trees that supply linoleum’s raw materials also contribute to the production of oxygen and the subsequent reduction of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, thus reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses present in the atmosphere.
Can be recycled
The energy obtained from incinerating linoleum is roughly equivalent to or even more than that which is used in production.
Linoleum can be safely added to landfill refuse sites, where natural decomposition takes place. Linoleum is fully biodegradable and does not release harmful substances or gases such as chlorine and dioxins.
Adhesives are 100% solvent free and meet all low VOC requirements
Does not require maintenance from harmful chemicals
Linoleum contains virtually no trace of toxic material and is naturally beneficial to air quality.

Ceramic Tile

Rarely release emissions
Some contain recycled content
Long lasting and not replaced frequently
Requires little maintenance
Value is unclear due to it’s weight causing more fuel during transportation

Carpet Cushion

The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) has established the Green Label program to test for VOCs in cushion used under carpet. This program helps you choose low-emission cushion. You can identify these products by looking for the program’s green and white seal. These products are continuously monitored to ensure that they maintain compliance.

Cushion products are characterized as prime polyurethane, bonded polyurethane, mechanically frothed polyurethane, rubber-hair, rubber–jute, synthetic fiber, resinated or coated synthetic fiber, rubber and rubberized polyurethane.

Cushions are tested for total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), formaldehyde and 4-phenylcyclohexine (4-PCH).
Carpet cushion can be:

Made from100% recycled bonded cushion from polyurethane foam or 100% recycled content in Rebond Carpet Cushion, a bonded polyurethane product
Made with 97% recycled rubber for carpet underlayment
Made with no CFC’s, latex or chemical additives
Made with 100% recycled tire rubber carpet pad. Withstands temperatures from 40 to 120 degrees. Free of toxic materials such as PCB, mercury, and formaldehyde
Made from ground tire scrap rubber granules bonded with latex and 92% recycled tire rubber

Installation

Use adhesives with low VOC’s
Choose water based finishes over solvent based
Acceptable adhesives are listed here: http://www.greenhomeguide.com

Adhesives

Adhesives are just as important to consider when purchasing flooring as the flooring itself. Adhesives with harmful toxins can damage indoor air quality by giving off harmful gasses.

Tips for Adhesives:

Choose low VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds)
Do not contain formaldehyde
Qualify for the Carpet and Rug Institutes Indoor Air Quality green label
Once installed, floors still give off gas compounds
Less durable floors have to be replaced more often
High maintenance floors use more harsh chemicals
Consider floors that don’t have to be refinished

YOU as a consumer have a role too. Whether you are remolding or building new, choosing green materials for your home will benefit your health, comfort, environment and finances.

Take Action!

To see other blogs that are participating, click here. To see the posts from industry leader CB Whittemore from Flooring the Consumer and The Simple Marketing Blog, click here and here. To see how you can take action, please click here.To visit the official blog of Blog Action Day, click here. To learn about the recycling efforts of Pierce Flooring and Design in Montana, click here.

Have you made the decision to choose green flooring for your home? If so, were you willing to pay more for it to be green? Was certification a factor in your decision? Did you local floor covering retailer have plenty of options for you to choose from? What product or products did you choose?

Cork Flooring- Reader Question

Posted on September 25, 2009 by creatingyourspace

Question: I have been hearing a lot about cork flooring, but am hesitant to put it in my home without knowing more about it. Can you tell me some of the features and benefits of a cork floor? I am considering putting it in my home office and in my childrens playroom. I want a floor that will be good for both areas and that is durable enough to stand up to my kids.

Donna from Franklin, TN

Answer: Thanks for your question! Cork is a wonderful flooring product that I think gets overlooked because everyone thinks of a bulletin board when they think of cork! Did you know that cork floors are actually made from the waste of wine cork stoppers?

Some features and attributes of cork are:

It’s GREEN! -It is a harvested resource and a recycled product
Extremely durable – it is often used in many commercial applications because of its durability
Excellent sound absorption – it is often used in churches for this reason (great for the office and the playroom!)
Great insulator – it can actually help reduce heat loss in a room
Natural fire inhibitor – because of a substance called suberin, upon combustion cork does not release any toxic gasses
Hypo-allergenic- cork floors do not absorb dust and are very useful for people with asthma and respiratory diseases
Resilient – cork can return to its original shape even when exposed to heavy weight and pressure
Repairable – cork floors can be repaired if damaged. (always consult a professional)

When shopping for cork, there are many different styles and even colors. You will find planks, tiles and mosaics. You also have the choice of different installation types such as glued, glueless and floating.

Maintenance is simple for cork floors, just keep the floors free from dirt by sweeping and vacuuming and use a neutral PH cleaner or one that is recommended by the manufacturer. Walk off mats at every entrance help make the floors easier to keep clean.

If you use cork in your home office be sure to use chair mats under the office chair and protectors for chair feet. In the playroom, be sure to wipe up spills as soon as possible.

If you have more questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. If you would like to view samples from a retailer in your area, the folks at Carpet Den Interiors in Franklin are a great resource.

Greenguard Certification and Flooring Products

Posted on September 24, 2009 by floors_admin

It is encouraging that almost every week you hear about another flooring product that is Greenguard certified. Today, Shaw Industries announced that all of their laminate flooring products are now Greenguard Children & Schools SM Certified.

You may be thinking – Who is Greenguard? Who contributes to the GEI? What does that mean? What kinds of products would I be interested in? Are big name manufacturers included?

Here are the answers to some of your questions.

Who is Greenguard?

The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) is an industry-independent, non-profit organization that oversees the GREENGUARD Certification Program^SM. As an ANSI Authorized Standards Developer, GEI establishes acceptable indoor air standards for indoor products, environments, and buildings. GEI’s mission is to improve public health and quality of life through programs that improve indoor air.

Who contributes to the GEI?

A GEI Advisory Board consisting of independent volunteers, who are renowned experts in the areas of indoor air quality, public and environmental health, building design and construction, and public policy, provides guidance and leadership to GEI.

What does that mean?

GEI currently has three third-party certification programs to provide products that improve public health and quality of life. Those programs are: Greenguard Indoor Air Quality Certified, Greenguard Children and Schools and Greenguard Building Construction.

What kind of products would you be interested in?

Over 450 flooring products including hardwood, laminate, tile stone, resilient products, Terazzo and underlayment.

Are big name manufacturers included?

Yes! 22 flooring companies including products from Anderson Hardwood, Healthier Choice, Wicanders Cork Oak Flooring and Wilsonart.

For more information, learn more on the Greenguard.org website.

Anderson Hardwood Gets Greenguard Certification

Posted on September 18, 2009 by creatingyourspace

Anderson Hardwood Floors said it is one of the first hardwood flooring manufacturers to be awarded Greenguard Indoor Air Quality Certification for all of its flooring.

The Greenguard Environmental Institute was founded in June of 2001 to establish a true third-party product certification program based on proven emissions standards and to provide specifying and procurement professionals with a resource for low-emitting products.

“We are pleased to welcome Anderson Hardwood Floors, as a participating manufacturer,” said Marilyn Black, founder of GEI.

Anderson’s Greenguard Certified products are listed in the Greenguard Product Guide found on organization’s website.

Contact your local flooring dealer to see samples of these products!

Mohawk's Everstrand Chosen for Daytime Emmy Show

Posted on August 30, 2009 by floors_admin

Mohawk’s EverStrand carpet was selected as the “red carpet” for the Daytime Emmy awards ceremony on Aug. 30.

The producers chose EverStrand as part of their effort to stage an environmentally sound production, Mohawk said. Everstrand fiber is a polyester made using recycled plastic bottles.

The Emmys will use a variety of products and practices to show what can be done to protect and improve the environment, including recycling, using hybrid vehicles, reducing lighting to save energy, and other tactics. The production is planned to be carbon neutral.

One out of every four bottles recycled in North America becomes Mohawk carpet. Mohawk recycles more than three billion bottles every year, making the company the largest recycler of plastic bottles in the country.

Mohawk's Everstrand Chosen for Daytime Emmy Show

Posted on August 30, 2009 by creatingyourspace

Mohawk’s EverStrand carpet was selected as the “red carpet” for the Daytime Emmy awards ceremony on Aug. 30.

The producers chose EverStrand as part of their effort to stage an environmentally sound production, Mohawk said. Everstrand fiber is a polyester made using recycled plastic bottles.

Walker Zanger Unveils New "Green" Tile Collection

Posted on August 17, 2009 by creatingyourspace

wz_kesh_palm_wink-wink WALKER ZANGER UNVEILS NEW “GREEN” TILE COLLECTION -New “Kesh” Tiles Continue Company’s Hand-Crafted Tradition Within the Context of Eco-Friendly Materials.

The new Kesh Collection from Walker Zanger, the world’s most comprehensive stone and tile company, re-imagines the traditional art of cement tile, creating a bold statement for floors, walls and outdoor spaces. The fresh and graphic designs blend the influences of many styles, but finds its primary muse in Mid-Century Modern and Hollywood Regency. Yet Kesh is also in harmony with the planet as the eco-friendly tiles are made with “green” materials such as cement and marble dust, and hand-crafted with the aid of low-energy manufacturing processes.

Borrowing from the traditional artisanship of Moroccan cement tile-making (the collection traces its name to the last syllable of “Marrakesh”), Kesh updates this traditional look in what has become a hallmark of Walker Zanger design reinvention. The Kesh Collection is available in a variety of motifs, including eight-by-eight inch field tiles, squares, hexagons, and four-piece Plus Plus
and round Wink Wink patterns. A traditional arabesque field is also available. The colors in this collection invoke old-world influence:
Kesh is available in tasteful combinations of Khaki, Palm, Crimson, Olive, Cream and Chocolate.

The beauty of the Kesh Collection is matched only by its eco-friendliness. Each tile is hand-made by master craftsmen, who combine cement with pigmented marble dust to achieve a matte finish that is subtly lustrous. Individual tiles are sun-cured, as opposed to
kiln-fired, which, by its nature, is considered a low-energy production method. So while the playful all-over-pattern designs of Kesh combine with its durability to make it applicable virtually anywhere, its “green” attributes support Walker Zanger’s commitment
to environmental responsibility—as well as the discriminating homeowner who employs it.

The Kesh Collection is now available through all Walker Zanger showrooms and authorized dealers.

About Walker Zanger Walker Zanger, the world’s most comprehensive stone and tile company, combines traditional tile-making techniques with a modern sophistication that transcends any singular design style. A leading choice for design professionals and consumers, Walker Zanger natural stone and tile products, as well as exquisite bathroom vanities, can be found in luxury homes, trendy boutiques, lavish spas and resorts, famed museums and fine restaurants around the globe.

Walker Zanger is available through 17 beautiful showrooms and authorized dealers nationwide. To learn more about Walker Zanger and its line of products visit www.walkerzanger.com.

Photo Caption: Wink Wink in Palm from the Kesh Collection
Photo Credit: Walker Zanger

Walker Zanger Unveils New "Green" Tile Collection

Posted on August 17, 2009 by floors_admin

wz_kesh_palm_wink-wink WALKER ZANGER UNVEILS NEW “GREEN” TILE COLLECTION -New “Kesh” Tiles Continue Company’s Hand-Crafted Tradition Within the Context of Eco-Friendly Materials.

The Kesh Collection is now available through all Walker Zanger showrooms and authorized dealers.

Walker Zanger is available through 17 beautiful showrooms and authorized dealers nationwide. To learn more about Walker Zanger and its line of products visit www.walkerzanger.com.

Photo Caption: Wink Wink in Palm from the Kesh Collection
Photo Credit: Walker Zanger

Green News in Flooring for Armstrong and Shaw

Posted on July 14, 2009 by creatingyourspace

ARMSTRONG

Armstrong’s Center, Texas engineered hardwood manufacturing plant received Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain of Custody certification.

According to Daniel Call, vice president, Wood Product Management, “FSC certification is a measure of our commitment to environmental stewardship, which includes sustainable forest management.”

Built in the early 1950s, the Center, Texas facility is Armstrong’s oldest hardwood plant. The 200-plus employees make residential and commercial flooring for the Armstrong, Bruce and Capella hardwood lines.

Now the plant can produce FSC-certified products in multiple domestic species, including oak, maple, hickory and walnut.

SHAW INDUSTRIES

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency welcomed Shaw Industries, Inc. as its newest WasteWise partner.

WasteWise partners are organizations that voluntarily set goals to reduce municipal solid waste.

Shaw is joining EPA’s WasteWise program as it is launching a project to better track its efforts in reducing the amount of post-industrial waste produced in all of its carpet, rug, hardwood and laminate manufacturing facilities.

The total post-industrial waste produced will be compared to the amount of finished production, and Shaw intents to significantly reduce that percentage over the next three years and beyond.

EPA provides WasteWise partners with technical assistance and helps promote the achievement of its partners.

Shaw is a leading recycler of post-consumer carpet, and the comprehensive Shaw Green Edge Recycling program reclaims and recycles carpet nationwide.

Shaw also manufactures a line of wood flooring from post-industrial recycled wood that uses 50 percent less harvested wood than comparable engineered wood flooring.

Carpet scraps, along with all waste generated from laminate manufacturing at Shaw’s facility in Ringgold, Ga., is diverted from landfills and used to generate fuel. An innovative waste-to-energy technology converts carpet and wood waste to steam energy through gasification.

WasteWise is a voluntary partnership program launched by EPA in 1994 with more than 2000 partners. WasteWise partners not only reduce waste, but also are addressing global climate change. By decreasing the demand on raw materials through waste reduction and recycling, these organizations are improving operations, reducing costs, and minimizing their environmental footprints.