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Interface launches Cool Carpet™
16 August 2004, Australia
Interface has launched an innovative new program called Cool Carpet™ that results in ‘climate neutral’ floorcoverings, meaning that all greenhouse gas emissions calculated over the entire lifecycle of the product are offset or balanced.
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) build-up is an urgent environmental concern and Interface products’ total greenhouse gas emissions are continually being reduced to the lowest possible levels by the organisation. The remaining GHG emissions are then calculated over the entire lifecycle of Interface products: raw material acquisition, manufacturing, transportation, use and maintenance and end-of-life.
These greenhouse gas emissions are then offset by the purchase of emission reduction credits from sources such as Meridian Energy’s Wind Farm in New Zealand and other programs implemented by Invista and Blue Source LLC. The Climate Neutral Network requires that companies achieve “outstanding performance” in reducing their own global warming emissions on-site before investing in emission reduction credits.
As part of the Cool Carpet portfolio in this region, the power generated from the Te Apiti wind farm in New Zealand replaces power previously generated by coal. It has achieved the Gold Standard developed by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in consultation with a range of environmental, business and governmental organisations.
One of the major cornerstones of Interface’s journey to sustainability involves engaging stakeholders – specifically suppliers. INVISTA, makers of Antron® carpet fibres and one of Interface’s largest suppliers, shares the corporate commitment to sustainability, specifically the effort to avert global climate change through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Through a unique partnership with INVISTA, Interface has been able to market the Cool Carpet™ program and create a product offering that not only makes environmental sense, it’s economically sensible as well. The Climate Neutral Network’s design objectives clearly state that the “solution must mirror the problem” when selecting reduction offset programs. The partnership with INVISTA clearly embodies this goal.
The Cool Carpet™ program is independently verified and certified by the ‘Climate Neutral Network’ and end-users and specifiers receive a certificate of recognition. Interface’s i2 range features Cool Carpet as standard and the program is an option on all other Interface ranges.