STEPPING TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE


Here, Jon Smith, National Supply Chain Director at CFS, looks at sustainability


within the construction industry and discusses how all levels of the supply chain can play a role in making improvements.


Sustainability is a hot topic within the industry at the moment. From modern methods of construction to carbon emissions during the manufacturing process, it is agreed that those working within the built environment sector must take steps to improve sustainability and raise awareness of the issues it creates.


It is very relevant to all companies within the supply chain, no matter the size of the organisation, including architects, contractors and those that supply the products for installation. Is it possible however, for businesses to meet the needs of key stakeholders, whilst challenging the industry norms that may not be the most sustainable ways of working?


At CFS, we have noticed a definite increase in the number of clients wanting to use providers that remain sustainable, and who have the environmental impact of their work at the top of the agenda. As such, this is something we have been working at improving as a business, but moreover simply because it’s the right thing to do.


“Is it possible for businesses to


meet the needs of key stakeholders, whilst challenging the industry


norms that may not be the most sustainable ways of working?”


Sustainability has been notoriously bad in the construction industry with recent studies indicating that 32% of landfill waste within the UK comes from the construction and demolition of buildings and 13% of products delivered to construction sites being sent directly to landfill without being used. From changing providers of materials used in the construction process, to looking at how deliveries are made to site, there are steps that can be taken by all levels of the supply chain to improve the sustainability of a project at build stage.


Whilst questions are being asked about the sustainability of a project at the design level, this considered approach to construction is often neglected when it comes to specifying and installing floorcoverings within a building. However, the flooring industry has a vital role to play within this and CFS has taken positive action to decrease our impact on the environment and improve sustainability, both in the manufacturing process and in the delivery of products to site.


06 | COVER STORY


The CFS product range offers a choice of BRE A+ rated flooring for specification at the design stage of a build. The accredited environmental rating scheme is set out as an A+ to E ranking system, where A+ represents the best environmental performance or least environmental impact. This means it is possible for the specifier to select products based on their environmental impact. CFS’s popular carpet tile range VT480 has a BRE A+ Rating from the Building Research Establishment. Made from 100% recycled Econyl solution dyed polyamide, this carpet tile offers high performance, style and value for money, whilst providing the eco benefits required by many architects.


Specifying BRE A+ rated products doesn’t mean sacrificing style. In a recent project where CFS was specified, the client had a clear aesthetic brief, with sustainable products used to meet this. The team at Croud, an international digital marketing agency, wanted an office space that was modern, light and fresh, concentrating on employee wellbeing whilst ensuring the flooring complemented the overall office aesthetic and made a bold statement.


A range of products were used by commercial interiors specialist Planned Office Interiors, including CFS CityWalk plank in Toronto Twilight, a dark grey carpet tile. CFS CityWalk offers a tile and plank range which has been designed to allow installers to be creative with layouts and formats, creating a unique appearance in urban and commercial spaces.


Available in nine colours and two formats - a 50 x 50cm tile and a 25 x 100cm plank - CFS CityWalk, which is BRE A+ rated, offers endless versatile design options. The products can be laid in ashlar, semi ashlar, quarter turn, herringbone and random configurations, dependent on the design specification required. This meant that the style brief was met, whilst remaining as sustainable as possible.


In terms of the distribution of products, Carpet and Flooring, an approved stockist of CFS products, has recently made a large commitment to reduce carbon use within the company by reviewing how it plans its delivery fleet and trunking operations. Thousands of deliveries are undertaken each week and by refining journeys and geographies, Carpet and Flooring will be able to reduce miles travelled by 200,000 per year, resulting in an estimated reduction of 216 tonnes of CO2


annually. The optimisation of its deliveries will mean


Carpet and Flooring can take three vehicles off the road and also reduce general stem mileage, whilst having no impact on deliveries to customers.


Alongside this, Carpet and Flooring is also working on developing its routing and scheduling system, which


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