While there are many instances of promotion of other materials [e.g. points for fly ash promote the use of concrete], at the heart of the matter is the fact that unlike European and Japanese systems, North American rating systems have been slow to adopt life cycle assessment as a means to quantify the impacts of material choice.

By Helen Goodland

(more…)

Flooring

InterfaceFLOR carpet tile is manufactured under its EcoMetrics system that monitors manufacturing waste reduction, renewable energy, carbon emissions, water and energy usage, and the percentage of recycled and bio-based materials in its products.

by Jim Taggart

The ‘take, make and waste’ system upon which most of our industries were founded is the legacy of a time when resources seemed limitless; there were fewer people to consume them, and our material needs were less.

Today our perception has changed and our industries are adjusting to a new reality. Some lead, some follow and some drag their feet - and in this regard the flooring industry is no different from any other. (more…)