Environmental awareness is obviously a key issue in the flooring industry today, and carpet manufacturers are constantly striving to find innovative and cost-effective ways to stay in the green. Many are beginning to utilize Aquafil’s Econyl fiber, which uses nylon waste materials to create new products. The objective, according from Aquafil: to reduce the amount of global waste by collecting it from landfills and oceans, and feeding it back into production cycles. Based on 2014 figures thus far, the Econyl Regeneration System will reclaim close to 26,000 tons of pre- and post-consumer waste this year, and the company will produce 20,000 tons of regenerated caprolactam, which Aquafil will transform into yarn. Following are some of the mills utilizing this innovative fiber and the carpets they’re producing.
Interface
Net Effect is inspired both by the ocean’s life-giving power and its plight – marine life and habitats that are endangered by discarded fishing nets, acidification, over-fishing, pollution and climate change. Net Effect contains up to 81% recycled content with 100% of recycled content yarn. The yarn is made from various sources including used carpet fluff harvested from Interface’s ReEntry program, commercial fishing nets and, shortly, nets from the Net-Works project in the Philippines.
Urban Retreat explores man’s connection with natural elements and the intersection of nature and manmade materials. The collection exemplifies Interface’s abiding Mission Zero promise to eliminate any negative impact it may have on the environment by 2020. Urban Retreat contains up to 81% recycled content, including 100% recycled content fiber and high recycled content backing.
Human Nature is made with 100% recycled content nylon yarn, and it will be manufactured on four continents in six Interface factories that are, on average, 39% more energy efficient and consume 83% less water than when the company began to rethink its impact on the environment two decades ago. Additionally, these manufacturing facilities now receive an average 35% of their energy from renewable sources.
