CFI Flooring Systems

In its efforts to become a more sustainable company, CFI Flooring Systems has developed an additional service available to our clients…RECLAMATION.  Teaming up with Patcraft Commercial Carpet, CFI will now be collecting used carpet from construction sites for reclamation.  RECLAMATION of carpeting will divert this usable flooring product from the city landfill and will put it to new use. 

See our reasons why carpet reclamation is the next step to becoming a more sustainable company.

Embarrassing Reasons Why Carpet Should be RECLAIMED:

• Carpet and diapers are the largest contributors to landfills.
• The cost of RECLAIMING vs. disposing carpet at your local landfill is comparable.
• When used for Waste to Energy, carpet burns cleaner and more efficient than fossil fuels, such as coal.  Coal is used to create energy in almost every American city and is not a renewable resource.
• Local RECLAIMATION sites are available to the public.

Types of Carpet Accepted:

• All manufacturers of carpet tile and broadloom, residential and commercial.
• All fibers, including wool…Type 6 nylon is Cradle to Cradle recyclable at the Evergreen Facility owned by Shaw Industries.
• All backing types, including jute.
• All carpet pad/cushion.

Recycling Methods after RECLAMATION:

• Cradle to Cradle; Products that will be deconstructed and recycled back into their original materials time and time again.
• Recycling; Waste minimization strategy in which reusable materials are recovered from a waste stream, and put to the original or different use.
• Waste to Energy; Incineration process in which solid waste is converted into thermal energy to generate steam that drives turbines for electricity generators.

A “Paper” Trail:

• Electronic RECLAMATION documents for proprietary and non-proprietary specifications are available from katy.studer@patcraft.com.  Editable to suit your project needs.
• A certificate of RECLAMATION will be available at time of drop off.

Who to Contact:

• Get in touch with CFI or any Manufacturer’s Rep to find out what companies offer incentives for RECLAMATION.  Patcraft Commercial Carpet will RECLAIM a minimum of 500 yards for free!
• Notify the Contractor in advance that your client will be RECLAIMING their old carpet.  There are simple guidelines for them to follow.

Websites of Interest:

• Carpet Recovery Effort, www.carpetrecovery.org.
• Benefits of Recycling, www.benefits-of-recycling.com/recycledcarpet
• Carpet Cushion Council, www.carpetcushion.org/recycling
• Shaw Green Edge, www.shawgreenedge.com

By Hailie Thomas, referencing Katy Studer with Patcraft Commercial Carpet.

On October 20, 2010 CFI Flooring Systems hosted the Interior Designers of Idaho monthly luncheon.  Interior designers and architects earned CEU credits while being educated on the new ANSI Standard for Sustainable Carpet.  Lunch was provided in reusable tin lunch boxes hosted by Patcraft Commercial Carpet.

What is the 411 on NSF 140?

Manufactures, suppliers, architects, designers and government procurement now have a U.S. National Standard for the production of sustainable carpets and rugs:  NSF/ANSI 140, Sustainable Carpet Assessment.  Written through a public process by multi-stakeholder group of manufactures, suppliers, regulatory agencies, customers, and end-users, academia and other industry participants, the standard enables organizations throughout the carpet supply chain to achieve sustainable attributes and demonstrate compliance.

Independent certification to NSF 140 provides you the highest level of credibility in a marketplace with numerous and confusing green claims.

Standard 140 Overview

NSF 140 employs an easy-to-use point system with established performance requirements and quantifiable metrics in six key areas:

• Public and Environment
• Energy and Efficiency
• Bio-Based, Recycled Content Materials or Environmentally Preferable Materials
• Manufacturing
• Reclamation and End of Life Management
• Innovation

Certification is granted in one of three levels- Platinum, Gold or Silver- consistent with how many points are earned.

Certification Benefits

There are numerous benefits for manufacturers to certify products to a U.S. national standard.  NSF 140 certification will allow manufacturers to:

• Distinguish your “green” products from your competitors, making you a preferred vendor to those seeking sustainable solutions.
• Meet state and Federal procurement guidelines.
• Achieve the most credible type of certification available in the marketplace.
• Save money by adopting more sustainable operational practices and business approaches.

For more information about NSF certification to NSF/ANSI Standard 140 please contact us.

by Hailie Thomas