Celebrate Earth Day 2014

When Earth Day was started April 22, 1970, millions of Americans across the country brought attention to the modern environmental movement. Now 44 years later, Earth Day is acknowledged by more than one billion people worldwide, according to the Earth Day Network (EDN).

At the core of the Earth Day Network’s principles are policies of sustainability, conservation and creating a healthier environment for future generations.

This year’s Earth Day focuses on helping cities around the world reduce their carbon footprints. According to the EDN, “Buildings account for nearly one third of all global greenhouse gas emissions. Through simple efficiency and design improvements to buildings we can reduce those emissions drastically. To realize that vision, cities need to update ordinances, switch to performance based building codes and improve financing options.”

And while the world comes together today to bring environmental awareness to the forefront, many major suppliers in our industry work diligently throughout the year to do just that; taking dramatic steps to ensure they are leaving behind a green, healthier, more sustainable living space for both the consumer and the environment.

Flooring companies throughout the country have made major investments working to reclaim postindustrial waste, ensuring the resources they use are of the utmost quality and are responsibly procured and managed.

Mohawk, for example, has invested $180 million in its patented Continuum Process. Continuum-manufactured PET carpet can contain up to 100 percent recycled content, diverting more than three billion plastic bottles annually from landfills, according to the company.

In 2013, Shaw installed one of the Southeast’s largest commercial solar photovoltaic installations on the roof of its manufacturing plant in Cartersville, Ga. The company projected the one megawatt system to produce 1.4 kilowatt hours of power annually.

Mannington Commercial invested in a closed loop sustainability program for its domestically produced vinyl products. Dal-Tile introduced the product category’s first Environmental Product Declarations. Crossville has diverted 40 million pounds of fired porcelain since launching its Tile Take-Back program and TOTO USA partnership. Tarkett has long been a leader in sustainability both here in the states and globally.

And with countless more valiant sustainability efforts to name permeating throughout the flooring industry, suppliers still continue to invest in manufacturing products that are CARB compliant, that qualify for LEED credits and that are certified with various other environmental certifications that the industry recognizes.

FCW thanks and acknowledges our peers throughout the industry that help make this world a greener, more sustainable place.