{"id":3706,"date":"2022-10-03T12:35:38","date_gmt":"2022-10-03T19:35:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/living-future.org\/?post_type=case-studies&p=3706"},"modified":"2022-10-03T12:35:39","modified_gmt":"2022-10-03T19:35:39","slug":"tandus-centiva-ethos-modular-carpet-tile","status":"publish","type":"case-studies","link":"https:\/\/living-future.org\/case-studies\/tandus-centiva-ethos-modular-carpet-tile\/","title":{"rendered":"TANDUS CENTIVA ETHOS\u00ae MODULAR CARPET TILE"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

TARKETT<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For 130 years, innovation, dedication to excellence, and a long-lasting commitment to sustainability have made Tarkett a global leader in innovative flooring solutions and sports surfaces for all market segments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tomorrow\u2019s sustainable business models must go beyond just financial performance in order to welcome the expected world population of 9 billion people by 2050. Driven by the purpose of building a sustainable future and taking into account planetary and human health, Tarkett is determined to address the major challenges society faces today: combating climate change, sustainably managing scarce natural resources, and the development of people-friendly spaces. Managing each of these challenges is essential to creating a balance of quality of life, while preserving the planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Living Product Challenge (LPC) is a rigorous certification challenging manufacturers to use healthy and safe inputs, optimize the health of products, create environments that promote well-being, drive circular and regenerative economies, and support a just and sustainable world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The LPC not only evaluates a product\u2019s material health or a facility\u2019s infrastructure, but takes a deep dive into a manufacturer\u2019s approach to business, requiring them to demonstrate significant efforts behind social, environmental, and human health and thereby assessing the business\u2019 intrinsic ability to create positive change. Tarkett believes in a good future where people and the planet prosper in balance. So we\u2019re doing good\u2014connecting our sustainability efforts with everything our customers value most. We operate according to an active commitment to deliver on the promise of doing good by bringing the best science and innovation to every challenge. We\u2019re designing for life and closing the loop, contributing to more responsible consumption and preserving natural capital to develop sustainable cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ETHOS\u00ae<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Utilizing a previously untapped waste stream, Tarkett developed ethos\u00ae, a high-performance polymer recycled from disposed windshields and safety glass. Tandus Centiva\u2019s ethos\u00ae Modular Tile is Cradle to Cradle Certified Silver (v3), the first American modular carpet tile to achieve this level of certification. With the innovation of Omnicoat Technology added to ethos\u00ae, we offer a modular tile that virtually eliminates the possibility of installation problems before they ever happen. Omnicoat Technology is a proprietary coating that creates a chemical barrier that works no matter what type of adverse flooring substrate problems rear their ugly heads. In 2017, as part of Tarkett\u2019s commitment to designing for life, all soft surface products including ethos\u00ae now receive advanced defense with Eco-Ensure soil treatment. Eco-Ensure is a highly specialized, fluorine-free soil protection technology that protects commercial carpeting from stains while improving indoor air quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With this public benchmark of Living Product Challenge Imperative certification, Tarkett will continue to challenge our teams and push the boundaries further. As pioneers, our goal is to inspire manufacturers across industries to follow suit. Join us in doing good to create a healthy, beautiful, sustainable world. Because next-generation products are LIVING products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Top Hurdles to Certification<\/strong><\/th>Description of Solutions\/Changes Implemented<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Communication<\/strong><\/td>Certification was pushed into a short time frame. Given this, it was important for all stakeholders to be unified; Tarkett, ILFI, the assessor, and consultants. This certification requires participation from all departments and gaining their buy-in to expedite tasks is difficult. Clear communication between all stakeholders was essential for alignment and forward movement.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

PLACE PETAL<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

01. RESPONSIBLE PLACE AND HABITATS IMPERATIVE<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nestled in the foot hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Tarkett\u2019s Tandus Centiva plant is located in the Appalachian Blue Ridge Forests in Dalton, Georgia. Rich in diversity, it is home to 158 different species of trees, more than any other location in North America. Ancient limestone has eroded into extensive karst formations, creating a network of caves that is a popular tourist attraction. The underground river and rocky terrain provide an obstacle course of exploration, and an important habitat for fish, invertebrates, and the world\u2019s most diverse population (34 species) of lungless salamanders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before Dalton became the \u201ccarpet capital of the world\u201d it was a cotton mill town until Catherine Whitener created the \u201cbedspread capital of the world\u201d in the 1930s. The dyeing and finishing companies that served the old bedspread industry were perfectly placed to help Dalton\u2019s new carpet manufacturers in the 1960s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through numerous acquisitions and equity group transitions over the years, Tarkett expanded to include extrusion, dyeing, tufting, finishing, and an environmental center. Tarkett acquired Tandus in 2012, merging it with the Centiva brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beautification projects on the site, such as tree plantings have better integrated the facility into its surrounding ecosystem over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HEALTH & HAPPINESS PETAL<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In 2016, Tarkett undertook a materiality assessment, a survey to ensure that its sustainability policies are aligned with external and internal stakeholder expectations. Four key topics stood out unanimously: health and safety at work, health and safety of product and materials, environmental impact of products, and resource and material use. These results are fully aligned with our sustainability principles and strengthen Tarkett\u2019s strategic direction, which aims to develop eco-innovation fostering indoor air quality, healthy spaces, responsible use of resources, and the circular economy, while applying high standards of ethics principles across its value chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat makes us stand out is that sustainability is so embedded in our organization. Not only does it drive new product development, but also reaches operations, marketing, and our partnerships with suppliers and customers. What inspires this holistic approach is the importance of health and well-being in relation to the built environment. As a result, we\u2019ve influenced the industry long before these terms were commonplace.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sarah Robinson-Enaharo \u2013 Product Sustainability Manager, Tarkett North America<\/p>\n\n\n\n

05. TRANSPARENT MATERIAL HEALTH IMPERATIVE<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tarkett selects safe, healthy ingredients and aims to use mineral abundant, rapidly renewable and recycled materials. Since 2010, materials across Tarkett\u2019s 34 global manufacturing plants have been assessed by the Environmental Protection and Encouragement Agency (EPEA). Because of Tarkett\u2019s assessment, we were the first flooring manufacturer to eliminate phthalates plasticizers from our products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNinety-six percent of our materials, over 3,000 raw material inputs that we procure globally, have been assessed to date. This is a monumental achievement. We want to understand our chemistry. When you do, you can optimize your products more rapidly.\u201d \u2013 Dhruv Raina \u2013 Product Stewardship Director, Tarkett North America<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarkett\u2019s goal is to design products today that will become the raw materials of tomorrow. In case of ethos\u00ae, applying the Cradle to Cradle\u00ae design principles in 2004 to select healthy and safe materials that can be perpetually cycled. Tarkett demonstrated compliance with this Imperative through its achievement of Cradle to Cradle Silver certification level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

06. HUMAN THRIVING IMPERATIVE<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tarkett is dedicated to creating a healthy and safe workplace. In 2016 a survey was sent to employees about what wellness programs Tarkett should expand, 54% were interested in fitness programs. In 2017, Tarkett introduced two walking challenges with teams from all sites. Teams of up to eight people collectively reach a daily 7,000 step goal. Discounted walking trackers are available and weekly raffles entice participants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other priorities for employees were education on nutrition, stress and weight management. In 2017 programs included onsite cooking demos, blood pressure screenings, chair massages, flu shots, and seminars on cancer prevention. All programs are to promote a healthy active lifestyle. In addition, employees have access to outdoor sitting areas and natural light is prevalent on site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Service Days involve landscaping and beautification of the community. Teams volunteer at the Boys and Girls club to re-mulch the playground, clean up the bike path and garden area, as well as plant flowers. In 2017, a team went to a local school to construct a living tunnel lined with vegetation and flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MATERIALS PETAL<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

07. RED LIST IMPERATIVE<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In 2012, based on customer feedback, Tarkett\u2019s leadership realized more detailed information and assessments of product materials should be made public to assist consumers in making more informed purchasing decisions. Our solution was the creation of the Environmental and Health Statement (EHS), a full disclosure of the potential chemicals of concern in Tarkett products. In each EHS, we compared our own product ingredients to a set of priority hazard lists, based on lists from government agencies and GreenScreen for Safer Chemicals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, a review of existing disclosure documentation revealed that the available transparency tools may not provide a complete view of the impact building products have on both human health and the environment. In 2013, Tarkett engaged with EPEA to launch the Material Health Statement (MHS): a declaration of content and material health based on the Cradle to Cradle\u00ae principles. The MHS is based on an ecological and toxicological assessment of material ingredients. The methodology of the C2C material assessment is science-based, widely accepted in the building and design industry, and easy to understand. The Material Health Statement is intended to address the environmental and human safety of a finished product (including worker exposure) and the potential for post-use resource recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As customers demanded simpler manufacturer driven material inventory and for customers driven by ensuring no RED LIST ingredients were present in a product, Tarkett pursued and achieved a DECLARE label in 2014 for Ethos\u00ae and the product does not have any of the chemicals on the list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2017 we added REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) a regulation of the European Union, to compare our raw materials inputs as part of our drive towards optimization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

09. RESPONSIBLE INDUSTRY IMPERATIVE<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In 2010, Tarkett joined the United Nations Global Compact as a signatory to mainstream the ten Global Compact principles in the areas of human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption in all its business activities across the world. By embedding these principles within our supply chain, we can ensure how many of our suppliers actually adhere to these principles themselves. We continue to elevate these discussions inside the World Economic Forum, also by aligning ourselves with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. These collaborations are challenging us and are guiding our commitment to making a positive contribution to global challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to respecting local labor legislation, Tarkett applies in all the countries in which it operates the same respect for its fundamental values and principles of freedom of association, and in particular, respect for trade unions. We do not tolerate the use of child or forced labor in any of our operations and facilities. As a purchaser of goods and services, we expect our suppliers and contractors with whom we do business to uphold the same standards. We provide living wages that should always be enough to meet basic needs and provide discretionary income. These wages are reviewed every couple of years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to life cycle thinking driving the product development process, ethos\u00ae has achieved positive design milestones along the continuum of improvement and is suitable for cycling perpetually, using ingredients that are safe and beneficial \u2013 to be fully recycled into high-quality materials for subsequent product generations, again and again. This allows Tarkett to eliminate the concept of waste and recover value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These actions coupled with a life cycle analysis have encouraged us to study a wider scope than the manufacturing processes of our flooring products, in particular integrating the entire upstream component of our value chain, as well as the use phase and the end-of-life of our flooring products. Making the transition to a circular economy is a significant priority, in which we use recycled materials to reduce emissions related to raw material extraction and limit waste production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DECLARE ID: <\/strong>TAN-3001<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. NET POSITIVE CLIMATE IMPERATIVE<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tarkett\u2019s Doing Good\u2014Together platform is inspired by the world\u2019s most ambitious sustainability goals and organizations. From our membership in the World Economic Forum to our participation in the UN Global Compact and our alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we\u2019re committed to big ideals and positive action, working for the health of our products, our world, and a good future for all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One example of how we translate bold goals into action is through our partnership with organizations such as Earth Enable. Earth Enable started with a dream to improve health outcomes through simple and affordable solutions. Traveling through Rwanda, the founders first sought to understand how sub-optimal homes affected physical and emotional health outcomes and were shocked to discover the significant health problems that dirt floors cause. Eliminating a dirt floor from the home results in dramatic reductions in childhood asthma, diarrhea, malnutrition, and parasitic infestations. They realized that they could change lives if they found a way to floor Rwanda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dirt floors are a public health nemesis, dust is kicked up, spills and puddles stick around, and the floors of peoples\u2019 homes become a breeding ground for mosquitos, parasites, and all of the disease that come with them. Earth Enable\u2019s custom-developed earthen floors eliminate unsanitary dirt floors and provides affordable, sanitary flooring that can be washed, cleaned, and used to create a healthy home environment for millions of people. The goal is to reduce healthcare costs, curb carbon emissions, and strengthen rural economies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarkett is in the process of developing a longer term protocol in support of Earth Enable that includes, but is not limited to, technology transfer, access to Tarkett\u2019s research and innovation (R&I) facilities, helping Earth Enable scale the 40,000 square meters of flooring that were installed through the end of 2017, to rapidly and economically cover the entire nation of Rwanda and neighboring Nigeria. The primary emphasis of this project is to increase the durability and longevity of the floors resulting in significant impact to social and economic health of the people in the region.\u00a0This Handprinting Plan will assist in Earth Enable\u2019s mission to floor Rwanda and contribute to Tarkett\u2019s Handprint through the avoidance of concrete floors that might otherwise be installed in homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Name of Carbon Offset Project:<\/strong><\/td>Earth Enable<\/td><\/tr>
Location of Carbon Offset Project:<\/strong><\/td>Rwanda<\/td><\/tr>
LCA Unit of Measure:<\/strong><\/td>1 square meter<\/td><\/tr>
Life Cycle Assessment Results for Climate:<\/strong><\/td>8.82 (ethos\u00ae with recycled yarn) to 11.75 (ethos\u00ae with virgin yarn) kg CO2-eq<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

12. PRODUCT FIT TO USE IMPERATIVE<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tarkett and Tandus Centiva\u2019s Modular Soft Surface Products and Powerbond undergo the Fabric Adoption System Test Battery and meet or exceed the pass\/fail criteria for all tests in order to qualify for establishment as a standard product offering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The testing categories include appearance retention, colorfastness, construction, dimensional stability, flammability and performance. Additionally, all Modular and Powerbond products carry a non-prorated Lifetime Limited Warranty that remains in effect for as long as the original end-use purchaser maintains the product in the original indoor installation location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

13. USEFUL LIFE DISPOSAL IMPERATIVE<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As a leading manufacturer of commercial floor coverings, Tarkett has a responsibility to make products that are safe for the people who use them and the environment. That means we design our flooring to have a long, meaningful life and at the end of use, our products can be repurposed back into new flooring through our ReStart\u00ae Program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We were the first in the industry to reclaim and recycle soft surface flooring from the waste stream, the first to third-party certify a recycled content product and the industry\u2019s first to third-party certify a closed-loop reclamation and recycling program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n