RADAR / Q&A
Florian Bougault
The European design director of Tarkett explains how circular design and cradle-to-cradle principles help the flooring company tread lightly on the planet
Let’s start with the basics. When Tarkett says it makes circular flooring, what does that actually mean? We believe that there is an urgent need to move away from a take-make-dispose model, towards a circular economy in which products can be recycled to create new products at the end of their use. Circular flooring means that we have a process in place for taking back old and used floors, and that we have the technology to recycle them into new flooring. Tarkett’s long-term vision is for all of our flooring to be recyclable and recycled. By being able to recycle a product at the end of its use, we see tremendous benefits for the planet, such as a reduced carbon footprint, reduced need for landfill and reduced need for virgin materials. What principles are at the heart of your manifesto? What motivates you as a brand? As an organisation, we are committed to building a future that is suitable for both people and planet. We believe that we can do so by reducing our own carbon footprint and creating a circular economy supported by Cradle to Cradle principles; exceeding indoor air quality standards; and instituting healthy material norms with floors that are 100% phthalate-free. What have been some of the flagship projects using your circular products? To support architects and designers to specify truly sustainable products, we have recently
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