NewslineVolume XII, Issue 1 - January 8, 2010
The Carpet and Rug Institute news for industry executives
In This Issue: CRI Starts a New Year with Seal of Approval Introductions
Congratulations to all the new Seal of Approval participants! Contact Pat Jennings at 706.428-2123. Search and View Lists of SOA-Approved Products CRI Plans Annual Capitol Hill VisitDates are set for CRI's annual Capitol Hill visit and Salute to the Georgia delegation. Activities are planned for the afternoon of February 24 with a reception and dinner that evening. Visits will conclude by mid-afternoon February 25th. CRI President Werner Braun encourages members and interested parties to participate in this important outreach. To join CRI in Washington, DC, contact Jennifer Mendez at 703.875-0634. Contact Jennifer Mendez at 703.875-0634. Starnet Members Embrace CARE Aligned Dealer ProgramThe Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) has expanded its membership program to offer carpet dealers a cost-effective opportunity to join CARE and support carpet recycling. CARE is the nationwide alliance of carpet manufacturers, recyclers, dealers, and regulators committed to finding new markets for post-consumer carpet and diverting carpet from landfills. Nearly half of StarNet Worldwide's 160-plus membership of independent commercial flooring contractors has joined CARE. The program was introduced to Starnet members at the group's November 2009 Membership Meeting held in Washington, DC. "It's been a great response in a short period of time," said Starnet vice-president of operations Fred Williamson. CARE's commitment to finding new markets for products made from post-consumer carpet content "supports Starnet's mission to offer carpet reclamation on every project," says Starnet's Environmental Issues Committee Co-Chair Linda Goldstein. Under the program, dealers may join CARE for $150 annually, and may add additional stores for $50 each. Normally the price to join is $500 yearly. For their membership fees, CARE Aligned Dealer members receive a packet of materials that includes a framed certificate, window cling, counter card, business card template, press release template and other marketing materials. "It's a great way for residential and commercial carpet dealers to show their customers they are making a sustainable difference," said CARE Executive Director Georgina Sikorski. "We are thrilled with Starnet's participation so far - it's a great organization, full of people who really care about the environment." Contact Jeremy Stroop at 706.428-2127. View the Related CRI Blog Post New CRI Web Portals Promote Carpet Health; Carpet in SchoolsCRI has created a pair of simple-to-use web portals designed to offer information about carpet to two vital audiences: school designers and administrators and the healthcare community. The new portals pull disparate resources together for increased visibility and greater online impact. The first specialized web site provides doctors and other health care providers science-based information that supports CRI's position that there is no link between carpet use and an increase in asthma and allergy symptoms. The carpet and health portal is located at http://www.carpet-rug.org/health/. A portal for school designers, facility managers, and administrators talks about the benefits carpet offers to a school environment, such as safety, increased comfort, energy conservation, improved acoustics, and long-term cost savings. The page also contains information about proper installation, and how to specify the right carpet in any commercial situation. Finally, there is an entire section on cleaning and maintenance, including research comparing the costs of maintaining hard surface floors versus carpet over time, and links to information about CRI's Seal of Approval testing and certification program for cleaning products and equipment. CRI's education portal is located at http://www.carpet-rug.org/education/. Contact Bethany Richmond at 706.428-2125. View the Related CRI Blog Post Green Label Carpet Program Concludes, Replaced by Green Label PlusThe end of 2009 marked the end of the Carpet and Rug Institute's Green Label Standard for carpet. Developed in 1992, the Green Label standard set the first limits on carpet's emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). The Green Label program is replaced by the stronger and more comprehensive Green Label Plus standard that was adopted in July, 2004. Beginning January 1, 2010, there will no longer be any listings on the CRI web site for carpet certified to the Green Label standard, however, all U.S. manufacturers have upgraded their products to meet the GLP program. The Green Label program developed out of consumer and governmental concerns about carpet's effect on Indoor Air Quality. The original standard, developed in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, measured four compounds against an established criterion, as well as total volatile organic compounds, or TVOC. Green Label Plus came about as the carpet industry worked to meet the requirements of the California Indoor Air Quality regulation known as CA 01350. Compared to Green Label, Green Label Plus measures 13 compounds against a standard criteria, plus TVOC. Carpets certified under GLP earn credit toward project totals under the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED program and are approved for the California Collaborative for High Performance Schools. Contact Bethany Richmond at 706.428-2125. View the Related CRI Blog Post CRI Participates in Facilities EventCRI Market Issues Director James Beach represented the carpet industry at the December 7 Facilities Management Summit held in Dallas, Texas. Dallas, TX. The summit matches vendors with interested facilities decision makers in a series of 30-minute, one-on-one meetings. During the one-day event, Beach conducted 10 meetings with representatives from corporate, retail, and education market facilities, including the Albuquerque Public Schools and Dallas Independent School Districts. Beach offered insights into the benefits of carpet in education settings, as well as information on the CRI Seal of Approval testing and certification program for carpet cleaning and maintenance. Contact James Beach at 706.428-2116. View the Related CRI Blog Post CRI Meetings
* Sustainability Issues Management Team, January 13, 12:00 -2:00 pm CRI Participation in Upcoming Events
If you are aware of other events that present significant opportunities to deliver our messages to our critical audiences, please contact Bethany Richmond at 706.428-2125. Check our website calendar for other industry related events
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