SUSTAINABLITY MEETS FASHION FLOORING

By Teri Wilkinson

CONSUMERS ARE DEMANDING MORE SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS AND THE FLOORING INDUSTRY IS MEETING THOSE NEEDS. Leaders in the industry practice mindful environmental manufacturing practices. A full spectrum of innovations has been integrated into the milling process, saving water, decarbonizing emissions, and recovering materials for recycling.

Georgia carpet mills began recycling programs in 1994. Mohawk Industries estimates 160 million pounds of carpet have been diverted from landfills. And every year over 6 billion plastic bottles are recycled, then re-spun and used in new carpet fibers.

Several carpet mills in Georgia have a recovery, reclaim or re(turn) operation in place. Since 2006 Shaw Industries claims they have collected nearly 1 billion pounds of used recyclable carpet, diverting waste from landfills.

State of the art facilities have been built specifically to break down the recovered carpet and reproduce the materials into many types of flooring solutions.

Mohawk Industries prides itself on offering over 25,000 new floor covering options manufactured with sustainability in mind, while maintaining fashion and quality of all products introduced. Some of the exciting innovations include a patented water saving system used in the production of premium carpet yarns. These yarns are made to repel stains, assuring a longer life span, slowing the cycle of disposing carpet. A “Closed loop” facility has been built by Mohawk industries to manufacture luxury Vinyl flooring products. This means that all waste material is collected and reused to start the manufacturing process again.

Many production companies offer their local community environmental benefits; by installing solar panels and windmills to provide power to the factories and their neighbors, offering community gardens and bee keeping space with their excess land. Employees are encouraged to join their employers in promoting a healthy environment and working together to find solutions which will positively impact our earth. Industry wide, the floor covering manufacturing companies have invested in social and environmental practices to provide a better tomorrow for people and our planet. Most flooring manufactures have a sustainability plan, which can be found on their websites.

*websites referenced: mohawkgroup.com and shawfloors.com

Windows and Doors Make a Difference!

For those who wish to lighten their footprint on the planet, well-built windows and doors allow them to appreciate the beauty of nature and protect it at the same time. For homeowners, high quality windows are a major piece of putting together a sustainable life. We source products that are produced with sustainability in mind. Our favorites for helping customers meet this goal are Marvin Windows: Ultimate, Essential, and Elevate products as well as Jeld-Wen, Pella and Ply-Gem.

Wood/Clad windows from companies like Marvin meet these criteria with a generations-long commitment to their employees, local community of Warroad, MN and a closed loop waste stream. Having been a primary dealer of Marvin windows and doors since our inception in 2001, we can solidly affirm their dedication to quality and ethics.

The windows in a home are but one of two main ways to the elements. The doors that swing open repeatedly during the day, throughout the year, are every bit as important but for slightly different reasons. If there is glass in a door, the same high standards apply to the glass. As for the rest of an exterior door, the quality of construction, materials like solid wood and fiberglass, and lasting hardware will make a huge difference. We especially love Simpson’s entry door systems and Marvin’s French Doors for making sure the outside stays out!

Of course, true sustainability applies to one’s budget as much as anything else! When it comes to a return on one’s investment, outfitting a home with insulated windows and doors, that return begins immediately. The Energy Trust of Oregon has concluded that the average energy savings from installing Energy Star rated windows is about 12%. The U.S. Department of Energy analysis is that windows receiving this certification may cost 10% to 15% more but they reduce the energy lost through less efficient windows by as much as 30% to 50%. You do the math!

Riverside Window and Door is dedicated to assisting homeowners in capturing those savings and building sustainability into their everyday lives.