if there could be some things that could be changed in the future. Effectively, this section outlines important actions to overcome the barriers that separate the current situation from the desired outcome.
The results of the report are compelling and found that renewal of both wooden and resilient floors is significantly more beneficial for the environment, when compared to the installation of brand-new flooring.
THE REPORT: A CLOSER LOOK Lengthening the service lifetime of products before being disposed is an effective solution in achieving both reduced impact on climate change and better resource utilisation, and floor renovation is one of several routes to achieve this. The IVL study, conducted over 12 months, makes a clear case for the extensive sustainable benefits.
CARBON FOOTPRINT A staggering 78% carbon footprint reduction is achievable when renovating rather than replacing wood floors. While refinishing resilient floor surfaces can offer up to 92% reduction in carbon footprint versus replacing.
If we look at Bona’s yearly production of floor finishes and calculate the m² of floors covered, the carbon footprint reduction per m² vs. new floors is 108,000 tonnes CO2. This is equal to CO2 emissions from 9,600 flights around the world; which is a poignant illustration of the urgent need for industry to take action.
Additionally, by refinishing hardwood or resilient floors a minimum of 90% savings in resources is realised which includes transport, electricity use, consumables, and materials.
ENERGY SAVINGS By renovating a floor rather than installing a new one, the energy savings are as high as 95%.
Again, taking Bona’s yearly production of floor finishes as an example and calculating the m² of floors covered. If new floors were installed instead on same amount of surface, the energy use would have been 1.8bn kWh more. In comparison, these savings correspond to the yearly energy use of 9,000 households or a small Swedish town, which is a compelling example of the difference it can make.
EXTENDING THE PRODUCT
LIFE CYCLE A properly maintained floor will also last longer and extend the time between renovations. By cleaning regularly and keeping dust, dirt, and debris off the floor, a facility can typically refinish less often depending on the amount of use or foot traffic. It’s best to use cleaning products for both wooden and resilient floors that are specifically designed to maintain these surfaces for maximum lifespan of the floor.
FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS Progress is most certainly being made and even if we look back over the past decade, there has been enormous change in the way the industry views and understands environmental sustainability.
The IVL report is a valuable resource for future progress. Not only does it quantify the positive effects of renovation, it also
twitter.com/TContractFloors
outlines areas for further development in which stakeholders in the floor industry need to work on together to continue the journey towards a resource efficient and circular future.
So, what are the next steps and where can progress be made? Awareness and knowledge about the benefits of renovation certainly need to increase to help stakeholders in the decision-making process and to enable a more comprehensive understanding of how they can contribute.
“By renovating a floor rather than installing a new one, the energy savings are as high as 95%.”
Another key point is the current business in the flooring industry supports linear product flows and promotes installation of new products instead of endorsing reuse, refinishing, and recycling. This business model, as well as the business model in the construction sector, needs to change and transfer into a circular economy model with improved resource use.
Finally, to speed up the transition from a linear model towards a circular model, policy instruments could be developed and implemented to accelerate change towards a more resource efficient and circular product flow.
COLLECTIVELY REDUCE
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT With millions of square meters of installed flooring, the UK flooring market has great potential for renovation solutions to support the journey towards a resource efficient and circular future.
Using resilient flooring as an example, it is of course found in many different settings – hospitals, retirement homes, schools, sports halls, office buildings, and so the list continues. Often when resilient flooring reaches the end of its perceived life, it is disposed of and can end up in landfill. Across all sectors, the opportunities to renovate instead of replacing with brand-new flooring, are great. There is enormous scope for change. Today it’s largely a case of rethinking; changing and challenging existing mindsets, and clearly demonstrating that everyone will benefit. Everyone can contribute, everyone has a part to play, everyone is part of the bigger picture to reduce the impact on our planet.
It is very exciting to be at the forefront of environmental change. Bona has pioneered some of the most important innovations in the flooring industry and will continue to drive further forward with sustainable business practices. It’s not only how we all operate our businesses, but also how we interact with the world.
https://www1.bona.com/en-gb/professional/installation-renovation/resilient-system
In the flooring industry, renovation has been part of the business model for a long time, but floor owners and other industry stakeholders do not always recognise it as a viable alternative to installing new flooring; the next steps to sustainability are to transfer learnings and insight to collectively reduce the impact on climate change.
www.bona.com SUSTAINABILITY | 25
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46
