Jacobsen helps to reduce waste with product stewardship programme

According to the Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage, “construction and industrial waste makes up about 85% of what is sent to landfill every year” in Auckland.

Flooring waste contributes to this enormous problem and in an effort to divert material from landfill Jacobsen have launched Re.Form, a pilot Product Stewardship programme that utilizes the principles of the waste hierarchy, putting emphasis on the re-use of flooring before considering recycling, and with disposal or landfill as a last resort.

Re.Form recognised by the Sustainable Business Network To put this pilot programme into place has required collaboration with suppliers, Auckland-based contracting customers and Habitat for Humanity. The initial success of Re.Form has resulted in the programme being named a finalist in this year’s Sustainable Business Awards in the ‘Outstanding Collaboration’ category. It has also enabled Jacobsen to extend the programme nationwide.

“Creating positive impact and understanding the environmental burden of doing business is a core value for Jacobsen”, said Renee Woolcott, Impact and Innovation Officer of Jacobsen Holdings. “We think it’s important for suppliers in New Zealand to take responsibility and provide meaningful and accessible product stewardship programmes, to protect the environment for current and future generations.”

Reducing landfill and supporting the community A partnership with Habitat for Humanity provides the opportunity to positively impact the community and environment by enabling re-use by uplifting second-hand Shaw and Desso carpet tiles and selling them through their ReStores.

Conrad LaPointe, CEO Northern Region of Habitat for Humanity said, “We are excited to be able to provide an avenue for re-use of carpet tiles and be a part of reducing construction waste to landfill. All proceeds from the sale of these items will go towards our work in supporting kiwi families in housing need.”

Recycling at the factory Jacobsen has worked with Tarkett, manufacturers of Tarkett vinyl and Desso carpet tiles, and Shaw Contract, to extend recycling operations at their factories to the New Zealand market. Based on the Cradle to Cradle principles, this sees installation off-cuts for vinyl, carpet tiles, and post-consumer carpet tiles, that can’t be re-used,

Recycled vinyl is chipped before being added back into the manufacturing process.

Fluff – high purity yarn (95%) – is generated by Tarkett’s recycling centre.

being sent back to the factory to be recycled and introduced back in to the manufacturing process as raw materials.

In addition, Jacobsen has worked with Regupol to implement a world first recycling programme for rubber installation offcuts. These will also be sent back to the factory to be recycled and introduced back in to manufacturing process.

“We are proud to work with suppliers who carry our values and understand the contribution we can all make to preventing unnecessary waste”, said Woolcott. Re.Form is part of the ongoing commitment by Jacobsen to the environment and socially responsible flooring systems. For more information on this programme and other initiatives visit www.jacobsen.co.nz

A NZCB National Partner, Jacobsen has been bringing New Zealanders the very best in world-class flooring for over 50 years. Our top international brands and selections have been providing style, texture, innovation and performance to kiwi floors from the finest residential homes, to contemporary designed offices and the most demanding of public spaces.

Habitat for Humanity is part of a network working in over 70 countries worldwide towards the vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. In pursuit of this vision, Habitat provides a wide range of home construction, repair, renovation and advocacy programmes.