The flooring industry has a long history of innovating to overcome persistent challenges. Late last year, global carpet manufacturer Interface revealed that it had achieved its Mission Zero strategy one year ahead of its 2020 goal. Over the past 25 years, the company has improved energy efficiency at carpet manufacturing sites by 46%, reduced water intake at carpet manufacturing sites globally by 89% and reduced waste sent to landfills by 92%. In addition, 75% of energy used at owned manufacturing sites is from renewable sources, including 100% renewable electricity and 46% of materials in the flooring products Interface sells are from recycled or bio-based sources.
Interface is now moving ahead with its Climate Takeback Strategy and said it aims to become carbon negative by 2040. The company is actively developing “carbon negative” flooring tiles whereby atmospheric emissions would be reduced through the manufacturing process.