Newsline

Volume XI, Issue 6 - April 22, 2009

The Carpet and Rug Institute news for industry executives

Special Edition - Celebrate Earth Day With CRI

In This Issue:
-- NSF 140 Products Listed On CRI Web Site
-- Earth Day Pledge: Keep it Clean and Green
-- The Straight Scoop on Green Carpet
-- Carpet Recycling and Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE)

Happy Earth Day! Today marks the 39th anniversary of Earth Day, which was held for the first time in 1970.

Today, people around the world are stopping to think about the best ways to protect and preserve our beautiful world. As humans, our ideas about how to solve, and sometimes, even how to identify environmental issues often conflict. However, there are multiple stories the carpet industry can point to that are undeniably positive.

NSF 140 Products Listed On CRI Web Site

Twenty-seven products from eight manufacturers have all been listed in one centralized area on the CRI Web site. NSF 140 is the comprehensive environmental standard developed to help the design community identify carpet with reduced environmental impact. NSF 140- 2007 is the first multi-attribute ANSI-approved standard for environmentally preferred building materials. The standard evaluates based on five attributes:

Public Health and Environment
Energy and Energy Efficiency
Bio-based and Recycled Content
Manufacturing
Reclamation and End of Life Management

Congratulations to Beaulieu Commercial, Tandus, Masland Contract, Milliken and Company, Shaw Industries, InterfaceFLOR, Bentley Prince Street, and Mannington Mills for successfully completing the NSF 140 certification process.

A detailed workbook is available to help any manufacturer interested in having products certified. Copies of the approved NSF 140 standard are available for purchase online.

Contact Jeff Carrier at 706.428-2115.

Earth Day Pledge: Keep it Clean and Green

Earth Day participants are often asked to sign an Earth Day pledge, outlining positive environmental changes they will make in the year ahead.

Here's a suggestion: pledge to use CRI Seal of Approval and Seal of Approval Green cleaning solution products, vacuums, extractors, and service providers at home, school, and work. It's a decision that will benefit more than just the environment.

It's widely known that, when it comes to carpet, a clean home is a greener home. Not only will keeping carpet clean improve the quality of indoor air, it also prolongs the life of carpet, preventing these practical, beautiful floor coverings from going to the landfill prematurely.

Contact Bethany Richmond at 706.428-2125.

The Straight Scoop on Green Carpet

The 2008 Sustainability Report outlines the carpet industry's progress and contributions in three areas: environment, economics, and social responsibility. Looking at information collected from 83 production facilities, here are some ways in which the carpet industry is reducing its environmental footprint:

Significant reductions in green-house gas emissions and other air pollutants
Water consumption reduced by 30 percent
Reduced energy consumption
Reduce reliance on "dirty fuels" and much greater use of renewable energy sources
Large increase in use of post consumer waste materials in carpet production

Economic Strength

The carpet industry is the largest manufacturing industry in Georgia, employing more than 70,000 workers nationwide, with an annual payroll of more than $4 billion.
Annual carpet mill sales exceed $14 billion and represent a significant economic impact to Georgia and its various communities.
The mills have invested more than $400 million to improve sustainability.

Social Responsibility

The report highlights examples of the carpet industry's significant charitable giving, charitable work, workforce development and workplace safety.

Contact Jeff Carrier at 706.428-2115.

Carpet Recycling and Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE)

Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) continues to spearhead the development of new, market-based solutions to the problem of post-consumer carpet going to landfills. 2008 saw some lessening of total carpet collections, but the organization and its membership remain committed.

The state of Maine recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CARE, agreeing to specify carpet underlayment containing 100% post-consumer recycled carpet fiber content in new building and remodeling projects.

Contact Jeremy Stroop at 706.428-2127.