SUSTAINABILITY


Clean Up Your Act


James Taylor, MD of eco- engineered underlay and fibre expert Texfelt Ltd, talks us through the ways in which flooring retailers can commit to more environmentally- conscious choices.


Sustainability is becoming an ever-more important discussion within the flooring industry. Caring for our environment is fast becoming an integral part of business and is no longer seen as optional. With the advancements in technology and a wider understanding of the urgent need for sustainability, there has certainly been a shift towards companies wanting to reduce their environmental impact. For many businesses, being eco- friendly has now become part of their corporate responsibility.


At Texfelt, we pride ourselves on our customer service and aim to inspire our customers and prove that it is possible to simultaneously deliver high-quality, cost-effective solutions in a long-term, sustainable way. We constantly strive to monitor and improve our environmental impact and are ISO14001 certified, demonstrating our commitment to protecting the environment.


We find that consumers are becoming increasingly more demanding in their product requirements and that sustainability is becoming a pre-requisite for a growing percentage of the population within their buying decisions. Cost will always be a driving factor, but consumers are no longer prepared to compromise on performance, the environment, indoor air quality or recycling. Retailers have an obligation to not only offer these products but to have an understanding and knowledge of a product’s credentials.


Texfelt have a long history in the textile industry and have been recycling for many years, using recycled textiles to manufacture eco-engineered needle-punch products for over 30 years for the flooring industry. And it is with that experience, knowledge and a new state-of-the-art manufacturing plant that we are now able to engineer advanced non-woven carpet underlays for the flooring sector.


To support our retailers and wholesalers, we have introduced an awards scheme which recognises their commitment to recycling plastic bottles. Allocating a recycling figure helps quantify the sustainable outcome of purchasing our products, whilst opening up the conversation with the consumers. We want our customers to invest in our sustainable goals, engage with the product, be a part of our story and to share our environmental values.


22 | Tomorrow’s Retail Floors


Due to our underlay being manufactured from a single raw material, unlike many other underlays, Springbond is 100% recyclable after use, and has been certified as accepted in the recycling area at domestic refuse sites. Not only do we ensure the sustainability of our raw materials, but we also actively promote and encourage recycling and the elimination of waste. In addition, we also value the impact of our products on health, which forms a large part of our research and design. Consumers and end users are increasingly aware of ‘clean spaces’ and the impact that household products have on an occupant’s health. Springbond contains virtually zero harmful VOC’s, which results in better quality air throughout the home whilst being inherently flame resistant with no added chemicals.


As time moves on, it will be increasingly important for retailers to make their portfolio more sustainable as consumers become more aware and more demanding and the sustainability of the product becomes as equally important as the performance and the cost. We find our end users buy into our story - they are interested in the recycled plastic bottles, demand a product that is 100% recyclable but also require that product to perform at least as well as, if not better than, any other on the market. We offer our customers a greener, cleaner, safer and quieter alternative to other carpet underlays.


In-line with the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent Great Reset initiative, we all have a role to play to ensure the sustainability of our environment. In recent years, we have seen a wide array of sustainable products being made available within the flooring industry. This shift is being driven by the increasing desire of businesses and consumers to reduce their environmental impact, make conscious buying decisions and improve indoor air quality. There has never been a more important time for the retailers to invest in the future of the flooring industry, their consumers and most importantly the environment.


www.texfelt.com www.tomorrowsretailfloors.com


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