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Going Green


The state of the flooring industry is quickly changing due to environmental concerns. Many manufacturing and construction companies are starting to use "green" products to help clean up the environment. Agencies Such as the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) have developed certification programs to ensure "green" building practices. In 1998 the USGBC developed the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) points system. This point system allows builders and construction companies to obtain tax credits and grants for their projects by accumulating points when using "green" products The LEED certification has four different levels. These four are: Certified, silver, platinum, and gold. In order to obtain a LEED certification for building projects, certain requirements must be met. To learn more about the requirements needed to become LEED certified, please visit this website: www.usgbc.org/LEED. The Forest Stewardship Council is an agency that establishes principles and criteria that covers environmental, economic and social concerns. THE FSC is the leading agency that determines who is environmentally responsible. The main purpose of the council is to manage the world’s forests to ensure they are sustainable. More information on FSC certification can be found here: http://www.fscus.org/.

In the flooring industry there are several "green" products to choose from. The main products are: Bamboo, Cork, Linoleum, Hardwood, Carpet and even Tile. Many of these products are made from recycled materials and are easily replenished. If you are interested in buying a "green" product, take the time to learn about the procedures, which makes them environmentally friendly.

Cork Flooring is a renewable resource that is made from the bark of the cork tree. Cork cannot be harvested until the tree has grown for 25 years. Every nine years or more, the bark can be stripped from the tree and processed into flooring. Water based finishes are used making it completely "green". The tree is never destroyed in the process, which eliminates any environmental impact. Cork trees are grown and harvested mainly in Portugal and Western Europe.

Bamboo is grown and harvested in as little as 3 years; it is renewed rapidly and regenerates without having to be replanted. Very minimal pesticides or fertilizers are needed in order to grow bamboo. If you are considering bamboo as a flooring option, please read my article titled "Beware of Bamboo".

Linoleum floors are made from all natural materials such as; linseed oil, wood flour and cork dust. Linoleum is allergen free and does not contain any toxic chemicals. Linoleum also meets all low VOC (volatile organic compound) requirements. Linoleum is a great product and is very durable.

Wood flooring is another great choice when it comes to choosing a "green" product. Woof floors are natural, renewable and recyclable. More manufacturers are becoming FSC certified and are using toxin free chemicals in the production process.

Carpeting such as PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) polyester and wool are considered "green". Polyester carpet is made from recycled plastic and wool is made from natural materials and is biodegradable.

Purchasing "green" flooring materials can have many benefits; here are just a few.
(1.) These types of floors are made from recycled materials and reduce dependency on oil.
(2.) They are safe for your family.
(3.) They are not thrown into landfills and can be recycled.
(4.) They help keep the environment clean.
There are other benefits to buying green but I feel these are the most important.
I hope this helps.
Thanks,
The Floor Man
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Comments

  1. LDMarch 1, 2009 at 4:40 PM

    “WOW! I am thrilled that there are more and more organizations joining the "green revolution".
    I became LEED accredited just this year (btw if anyone out there is looking to become a LEED
    professional try Clean Edison. Their courses are outstanding and they guarantee you pass the
    first time..they have classes all over the US).

    ReplyDelete

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