Eco-friendly and Sustainable Process in Commercial Flooring

Byemilyharper1
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A score card where zero is the best result – Yes, that is the goal of Forbo flooring. Get a zero. A zero in the emission of carbon. Zero wastage in their process of distribution and production. Forbo flooring which is a commercial flooring industry in london does business with a mission. The mission is to design for reuse. The depletion of natural resources on the planet is happening at an alarming rate. Forbo encourages the growth of a circular economy. What is a circular economy? It is an economy of recycle and reuse. It is making all products and services with a single goal in mind. It is to create a new lease of life for them by reusing and recycling. This should be the goal of every carpet flooring company london

Circular flooring has its basis on many factors. They are

  • Product design and its development
  • Raw materials and the process of sourcing them
  • Methods of how to produce and the process of distributing the products
  • Convenience in the maintenance of the products. The products need to be long lasting.
  • How to recycle and the end of shelf life of the products

When we talk about a sustainable future, one more aspect comes into consideration. It is the sourcing and design that plays a vital role in a circular economy.

The importance of a production process that is long-term and sustainable

There are aspects of production that have a big impact on Earth. Wastage in production, carbon dioxide emissions, use of electricity are a few of them. There is a scathing report from the Climate Change Committee (CCC) in 2020. The report states that 90% of emissions are from the process of manufacturing itself. This is for the total emissions from the construction and manufacturing sector.

Choice of building materials from sustainable sources is inadequate. A sustainable manufacturing process precedes a sustainable network of supply chain. The production process leaves a carbon footprint which needs consideration. There are other factors that cause deterioration in the planet. Production wastage and the use of energy are two biggest reasons.

The five R’s in Forbo

Forbo flooring is present in seven countries. They have eleven sites for manufacturing. All the sites have ISO certification. There is a sustainability goal shared by all these sites. The goal is zero wastage in production and neutral carbon emissions. The company follows the strategy of 5 R’s: Recycle, reuse, renew, redesign and reduce.

Linoleum factories generate linoleum waste. One such waste is the installation residue. This residue has reuse in products of Marmoleum flooring. There is a special focus on our vinyl floor covering by the improvisation of the content for reuse and recycling. There is the use of dyes. There is use of advanced waterborne lacquers without substances that can be harmful.

The production of Tessera tiles happens with recycled items. 56-75% of content by weight has undergone recycling. The Ripley factory has a unique, on-site plant for recycling. The factories process, recycle and reuse 86% of their waste. This is fifty tonnes every week and two thousand six hundred tonnes every year.

Waste material after cutting, leftover planks, tiles, and vinyl are recycled in the same factory. The Flotex range of products uses this recycled material as a sublayer.

Creating a circular economy

In the year 2021, 3/4th of the total wastage in production got reused or recycled. There are times when the recycling cannot happen in Forbo flooring. In such instances, it goes to external sites for processing. One such use has been the making of traffic cones. Around 25% of recycled products have a part in making Forbo products.

Forbo uses 100% energy sources that are renewable. The company has seen a shift in manufacturing. They make more of heavy commercial products in recent years. This means more energy consumption. To its credit, the company’s energy consumption has remained stagnant for the last few years. This is due to implementation of a better monitoring system. Forbo has many energy saving programs to its credit.

Between 2004 to 2021, there has been a significant drop in average CO2 emissions per square-metre of product. The emission saw a drop of seventy percentage!!! The manufacturing sites have a 1:1 ratio for emissions to energy used. The company has a goal of reaching zero carbon credits.

Sustainability plan and process

Forbo has some goals to strive for:

  • To be a zero-waste company.
  • Products contain recycled content. Forbo aims to do this post-consumer.
  • 100% renewable usage of electricity
  • Further reduction of on-site CO2 emissions

Company has pilot projects for recycling post-consumer floor coverings. This also includes products in the loose-lay floor covering category.

There is a three-year plan to cut half of the CO2 emissions for eradication of fumes. The unit at Coevorden has three afterburners. They have the largest proportion of dependency on natural gas. Static filters, gas fired thermal heaters will replace the afterburners by 2023.

The transportation system is in for an overhaul at Forbo. This includes transport from and between plants till the end customer. Forgo combines different products in one truck. This reduces the need for vehicles. This has led to improvements in lead time, facilitating planning. The company plans to use railways and barge for transport, wherever workable. This will further reduce carbon emissions.

Moving forward by going circular

Forbo products have a mission: Go green. From the designs to the end of life.

Do you have a property which needs commercial flooring in London? Reach out to us at M&M Carpets Contractors Ltd. We also provide carpet flooring in London.

5 Top Reasons to Schedule a Chimney Inspection Worcester MA

Starting away in front of a roaring fire is one of the most accessible and most satisfying pastimes during cold weather. However, there is nothing pleasant about the fire, smoke, and water damage that can occur if your fireplace is not kept clean. Having your chimney, fireplace, or wood-burning stove inspected by a Chimney Sweep certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of Worcester MA can help prevent serious problems and keep your venting system running efficiently. can assist To that end, three types of chimney inspections are available:

How much does a chimney inspection in Worcester MA cost

level 1 chimney inspection ($75 to $250) consists of a visual inspection of the fireplace or wood-burning stove and chimney. Choose this option if you intend to use your fireplace/wood-burning stove as you have in the past. If there have been no changes to the fuel type or the shape/material of the flu (i.e., the space inside the chimney) in the year since your last chimney inspection. There has been no damage to the chimney structure.

level 2 chimney inspection ($100 to $500) includes online scanning of internal chimney surfaces. This is the best option if you've made any changes to the chimney or fireplace since the last inspection. Such as changing the fuel type or the shape or material of the flu (i.e., the space inside the chimney). If there was a malfunction that may have damaged the chimney (e.g., a fire or earthquake). If you're planning to sell your home soon.

level 3 chimney inspection ($1,000 to $5,000) inspection includes a Level 1 and Level 2 inspection, as well as a partial tear-out of the chimney to look for more severe damage. If a Level 1 or Level 2 inspection reveals potential safety hazards or hidden problems in the chimney, technicians will perform this inspection.

Parts that are not visible to the naked eye may be damaged.
Repairing or replacing damaged chimney components on time can reduce the risk of fires, carbon monoxide exposure, and water damage. Unfortunately, many vital parts of the chimney are hidden or too high for homeowners to inspect. A chimney sweep is equipped and trained to evaluate damage to the following critical chimney components:

Crown: A crown is a downward-sloping concrete, stone, or metal overhang at the top of a chimney that directs water away from the exterior of the chimney to prevent erosion. Rainwater can run down the sides of the chimney and erode it if it is cracked, usually as a result of weather exposure or the use of weak construction materials, compromising its structural integrity over time. Rainwater can also enter the flu and deteriorate the flue liner (see below). To prevent water damage to the chimney and flue, an inspector can repair or replace a cracked crown.

The flue liner—a clay, ceramic, or metal conduit located between the flue and the chimney walls—protects the chimney walls from heat and corrosion. When combustion byproducts are directed out through the flue. It also prevents smoke and harmful vapors such as carbon monoxide from entering your home through potential cracks in chimney masonry. High heat or embers can damage chimney walls or touch surrounding combustible materials of the home and spark a chimney fire. When cracks form in the flue due to excessive heat, water damage, or wear and tear. Smoke and vapors can also enter the home through masonry cracks, potentially exposing you to carbon monoxide. An inspector can quickly detect and repair cracks in the flue liner. Our Chimney Inspection Worcester MA and surrounding areas. We perform all services related to chimney cleaning & maintenance. Call us at 508-960-7546.