EcoMetrics
InterfaceFLOR began tracking EcoMetrics in 1996, measuring energy and water intake, waste streams, greenhouse gas emissions and raw materials streams, to measure our progress towards the goal of sustainability and doing business in ways that minimize the impact on the environment.
“What gets measured gets managed” and in Interface's case our EcoMetrics assess how much we take in, in terms of materials and energy, and what comes out, in the form of products and waste.
Each InterfaceFLOR plant tracks hundreds of metrics quarterly. The results are aggregated, annualised and published.
In Australia
Elimination of solid waste is a primary driver of our business. In 2009, we upgraded our tufting plant and improved process control to reduce solid waste, leading to a 30% decrease in our solid waste over the revised base line set in 2008.
Raw material continued to trend downward and is now some 15% down on the
peaks of last decade. The introduction of new product designs that make
smarter use of materials will be the focus for 2010 efforts alongside
continued waste reduction.
Raw materials recycled content up to 35%
In 2009 the focus was on increasing the recycled content of our raw materials. We strive to increase initially the post industrial recycled content and ideally introduce post consumer sources. Collaborative work with our suppliers moved the recycled content of our materials up to 35%. The largest contributor was accessing a reliable supply of recycled fillers.
Energy
Non-renewable energy consumption continues to show substantial reductions in usage. Cost effective renewable energy available in a semi-rural location such as Picton have posed a challenge.
In early 2010, despite a cost premium, the Picton factory moved to green electricity supply derived principally from wind power. This will reduce non-renewable energy use further in the 2010 full year result.
Over the last few years, energy intensive processes were replaced or overhauled leading to a substantial reduction in energy consumption. The gains were consolidated in 2009. Electricity consumption remained steady despite the addition of a new warehouse in our operations facilities. Commercial scale solar panels were also installed on the factory roof for hot water used in staff amenities. LED lighting is also under trial within our factory and in external lighting.
Greenhouse gas emissions dropped dramatically over the last few years as the equipment in our manufacturing facility was upgraded to the latest technology. Overall emissions increased slightly over the previous year due to sub-optimal utilisation of our equipment during the first part of 2009 following the GFC-driven drop in demand.
During late 2009 we also converted our factory amenities away from off-peak electrical heating of hot water to more greenhouse gas efficient solar power with natural gas boosting. Working with our landlord, the addition of solar shading to north facing windows on leased office space has helped reduce electrical demand for airconditioning.
Good reductions in LPG use were also recorded as we cut out inefficient product handling with forklifts achieved and implemented a more streamlined plant layout.
Water usage remains at a low level
Compared to other carpet manufacturing facilities, our processes are low on water intake. In 2009, our water usage remained at its record low level. Water usage is now virtually confined to staff amenities, process cooling and evaporative air conditioning.
Carpet Reclaimed and RecycledOur ReEntry™ program of collection and recycling of modular carpets from sites continues to grow despite the global downturn.
Major ReEntry projects were completed in Australia in 2009 for banks and an exhibition centre. Volumes more than doubled over 2008. PVC backed product from both Interface and competitor manufacture is shipped to our US facilities where yarn fibre is recovered and backings are recycled into new backing materials. LCA analysis shows this to be especially effective given the comparatively low impact of seafreight.
Collection points are now operational in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth to collect modular carpets from sites. The focus for 2010 is now on attempting to identify more vinyl backed carpet tiles available for recycling.
Lowering the cost of reverse logistics and commencing the purchase of carpet yarns with post-consumer nylon are also important activities this year.
Cumulative Avoided Cost approaching USD $50m in Australia
Our continued effort on eliminating waste is a good thing for the environment and it also has a beneficial impact on our profitability and therefore our ability to invest locally. It supports the claim made by InterfaceFLOR founder, Ray Anderson, at the onset of our Mission Zero initiative - “by doing good we will also be doing well”.
Want to know more?
For more detailed information about InterfaceFLOR's journey to sustainability, click here.