EDITOR’S PICK Friendlier


With sustainability, veganism and climate change the buzzwords of the moment, w remain a hit with the


In recent years, climate change and the damage we are causing to the environment had been a huge topic of conversation, both in the UK and worldwide. With this said, many people are adapting their lifestyles to an eco-friendlier way of living, opting for food and products which do not harm the planet. This has been furthered by new UK legislation, brought in to help reduce our environmental impact, such as the recent controls on single-use plastic items like straws and plastic drink stirrers. Whilst environmental groups have praised this move, there are still calls for more to be done. As a retailer, it is now more important than ever to understand the properties of the products you sell. With an ever-increasing number of consumers interested in vegan-only options or simply becoming more environmentally conscious, it can only be a good thing to increase your portfolio of green options.


Dominika Piasecka, spokeswoman for The Vegan Society, said: “Homeowners are in a wonderful


position not only to design their homes exactly as they wish, but also to be kind to the planet and all its inhabitants by using sustainable, vegan- friendly materials for these choices.


“The number of vegans in Great Britain has quadrupled in the past four years alone and


as many as one in three Brits now consciously reduce their meat, dairy and egg intake.


“We have seen a huge boom in the number of


vegan food options available, and hope that the interior design will catch up with the times and


follow into the footsteps of millions of people who avoid the use of animals.”


New Leaf, Old Branch


Reclaimed wood is a great option for those looking for a solid flooring option. Not only is it in-keeping with the enduring trend for natural, authentic interiors; reusing and transforming old wood saves more trees from being harvested. It also cuts down on the environmental and monetary costs involved in the felling, transportation and production process of new wood flooring. Once laid, the cellular structure of the wood makes it a great insulator- meaning that homeowners can keep a room warm without having to rack up a huge energy bill. What’s more, reclaimed flooring can help to add character to your customer’s home- with wood that can be as much as several centuries old.


10 | Tomorrow’s Retail Floors https://spduk.co.uk/ What a Corker!


Cork is a sustainable and versatile product that makes it a great flooring solution. Not only is cork 100% natural and environmentally-friendly, it is also a great thermal and acoustic insulator, which helps to keep a room warmer, quieter and more comfortable. Cork is also naturally fire- resistant, burns without a flame and doesn’t release the same toxic gases as other flooring options. Additionally, cork is very durable and resilient, so it doesn’t lose its thickness over time.


Kieran Stremes, of cork manufacturer SPD UK:


“Cork is fully recyclable so any production waste can be recycled and re-used to create new cork products. It is important for house builders, homeowners and flooring retailers to make use of more environmentally-friendly interior and flooring solutions because any move towards using sustainable practices in construction will have a positive impact on the environment. Sustainability in construction is going to continue to become increasingly important as time goes on and everyone should start to operate in a sustainable and environmentally-friendly way.”


The Bottom Line


For customers wanting to mplement a complete eco-friendly approach to their interior choices, it’s not just the flooring itself that they need to consider. Flooring accessories such as underlay also need to be taken into account.


British manufacturer Texfelt has invested significantly to create a new product that prevents waste plastic ending up in landfill. Its new Springbond carpet underlays are produced


www.tomorrowsretailfloors.com


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