Interface Taking Part in Green Apple Day

Atlanta, GA, Sept. 19, 2012 -- Interface is headed into schools across the country and around the world as part of Green Apple Day of Service, Saturday, Sept. 29.

Company employees will give new flooring and other needed sustainable upgrades to classrooms and educational facilities as part of an initiative of the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council.

The Green Apple Day of Service is calling on volunteers internationally to spend the day on a service project that will help create healthier, sustainable learning environments.

"Interface is an acknowledged trailblazer in sustainability in the building and furnishings industry," said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO & founding chair, USGBC.

"Company founder and my dear friend Ray Anderson, who passed away last year, is revered for his gutsy commitment to eliminate any potential negative impact Interface products or the manufacturing process have on the environment. The company's self-imposed goal of achieving this by 2020 is remarkable. But driven by invention and innovative thinking, Interface is closing in on this milestone.

"The relationship between USGBC and Interface is longstanding. We were privileged to have Ray's guidance in the development of LEED. And now we are grateful to have Interface actively involved as a partner helping to create the greenest possible environments for our schools, our children and the educators responsible for their growth."

Among some of the project commitments to date:  Interface teams in LaGrange, Georgia, plus in Austin, Charlotte, Chicago, and Philadelphia will be providing several public schools with carpet tile installations.

Company volunteers also are headed to Acworth and West Point, Georgia, to spruce up schoolyards and provide other needed exterior improvements.

The Boston-based crew is working with a creative reuse center that donates reused and recycled materials to educators, while New York City volunteers will be working with The Door, a center for at risk and homeless youth, renovating its library and lounge areas. Also on board to pitch in are several of the company's FLOR retail stores that have promised to donate design services and enough carpet tile to create 10'x12' spaces to be designated as reading areas at schools or learning programs in Atlanta, Boston, Brooklyn, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, New York, San Francisco, Santa Monica, Scottsdale and West Hollywood.