Cooling the Carbon Impact

Customers given the option to pay an extra 10p/m² on the purchase price of the carpet tile to "offset" the greenhouse gas emissions generated during the entire lifecycle of a purchased carpet.

InterfaceFLOR, a worldwide leader in the production of environmentally-responsible modular floor coverings and other textiles, has announced that since January 2005, it has offset over 17,000 tonnes of carbon through its latest sustainability initiative ‘Cool Carpet®’, the equivalent of taking 4,250 cars off the road a year The calculation is based on the fact that on average the UK car produces 5tonnes of carbon per year..

Within the Cool Carpet® programme, customers are given the option to pay an extra 10p/m² on the purchase price of the carpet tile The cost is for all products other than InterfaceFLOR’s Random design range, where the figure is included in the overall purchasing cost., to “offset” the greenhouse gas emissions generated during the entire lifecycle of a purchased carpet. The money raised is then used to fund the development of forestation plants, energy saving projects and renewable energy schemes in South Africa and India.

“The Cool Carpet® programme enables our customers to make a valuable contribution to the environment for a very small donation. We are focused on developing new and innovative ways in which we can do well as a business, whilst minimising our environmental impacts and maximising potential social benefits. Cool Carpet® is a perfect example of this,” said Ed Blamey, Sustainability Director at InterfaceFLOR.

It’s not simply the environment that benefits from schemes such as Cool Carpet®. In countries like South Africa and India, where the projects take place, it is easy to see the wider benefits they have on the local community. Through educating people and implementing practical steps for energy efficiency and renewable energy schemes, locals can often streamline their business, increasing productivity and ultimately improving their standard of living.

“Our cumulative avoided costs from waste reduction have totalled $299m since 1995. The principle is the same anywhere in the world – sustainable business practice makes commercial sense for any type of company,” adds Ed Blamey.

InterfaceFLOR also runs a ‘Trees For Travel’ scheme, whereby the CO2 emissions generated as a result of the company’s business air travel is again offset, helping to fund these projects. To develop the schemes, InterfaceFLOR worked very closely with Climate Care, a not-for-profit organisation that funds projects designed to reduce or reverse the impact of CO2 emissions.

Ed Blamey continues: “It is essential to try to minimise our usage of the earth’s resources, only where this is not possible do we choose to offset.” In addition, we must continue to maximise our use of renewable sources of energy whilst continually seeking to reduce our energy demand via eco efficiency measures.”

Ends.

Date issued: 17 Jun 2006

Notes to Editors:

Interface Carpet /Interface Inc.

Interface is a recognized leader in the commercial interiors market, offering floorcoverings and fabrics. The company is committed to the goal of sustainability and doing business in ways that minimize the impact on the environment while enhancing shareholder value.

Interface was founded in 1973 by Chairman, Ray Anderson, considered to be a pioneer from the start - a trailblazer of the modular carpet industry in the United States. The company promotes sustainable business practices - within its global community and in the products it makes. For Interface, sustainability is a belief that is built into the business model, an underlying corporate value, ensuring that business decisions are weighed against their potential impact on economic, natural and social systems. It's a means for associates to deliver superior value to customers and shareholders.

Interface is a global company with manufacturing locations on four continents and offices in more than 100 countries.