Atlanta, GA, Aug. 14--Buy 18 square yards of carpet, plant a tree. This simple exchange, which takes into account the carbon dioxide (or greenhouse gas) emissions emitted during the lifecycle of the carpet and the carbon dioxide absorbed by a tree, is the basis for a new climate neutral program by Interface called Cool Carpet.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the primary contributor to global warming, is a key effort for Atlanta-based Interface, Inc., a leader in the environmentally responsible manufacturing of carpet and other textiles. Since 1996, Interface has reduced total greenhouse gas emissions in operations worldwide by 29%, through improved energy efficiency and increased use of renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind and biomass power.
“We’ve reduced our negative footprint by one-third by reengineering our systems and products with new technologies and materials,” said Interface Chairman Ray Anderson. “But 90% of the emissions associated with the lifecycle of our products occur outside our manufacturing process. Until technologies emerge to reduce those emissions further, we are offsetting the negative effect by investing in projects where greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced--thereby bringing the net effect of the emissions to zero.”
Interface has partnered with the Climate Neutral Network, a third party certifier who validates the emission offset projects. All greenhouse gas emissions reductions from Interface's projects are certified by the Climate Neutral Network as Climate Cool products which achieve a net zero impact on the Earth's climate.
As a result, Interface customers who are concerned about the long term effects of their investment can specify climate neutral Cool Carpet. Interface has calculated the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the lifecycle of the carpet it manufactures, and will offset those emissions with investments in high quality, greenhouse gas reduction projects, such as installing energy-efficient boilers or lighting in public schools, or planting trees which absorb greenhouse gases. Cool Carpet is standard on the entire Interface i2 collection, and is available on any other Interface, Bentley, Prince Street or Heuga brand products made in the United States, the United Kingdom or the Netherlands, for a minimal charge, up to 20 cents per square yard.
