ECOMETRICS

The Score So Far

Zero waste and zero carbon emissions by 2020 — that is what InterfaceFLOR's Mission Zero is all about. To complement this environmental mission, InterfaceFLOR used EcoMetrics™, a method to assess the progress of minimising environmental footprint through waste reduction and re-materialisation metrics.

To achieve this goal within 10 years is no walk in the park. According to Dan Hendrix, CEO, Interface Inc., "The road ahead is more difficult and we'll not only need more innovative technologies; we also need collaboration from every direction — from suppliers, customers and the governments where we do business."

Obstacles notwithstanding, InterfaceFLOR is certainly making headway in its bid to scale Mount Sustainability. With green innovations and supporters of sustainable carpeting on the rise, the company is confident that Mission Zero will be achieved soon enough. Hendrix said, "We have nearly 16 years of data to use in understanding our progress and evaluating where we need investment, where we need innovation and where we'll be focusing people and resources as we look to 2020 and beyond."

Here, we take a look at 2009's impressive numbers that track the continuous success of Mission Zero.

3.2 million kg — about 600 African elephants — of raw materials were recycled for reuse last year
4.4 million kg of waste — which equates to 45 blue whales — was sent to energy recovery
28% increase in green energy used from renewable resources since 1996
77% reduction of waste sent to landfills from 6.8 million kg in 1996
Net greenhouse gas emissions were down 44% since 1996
Modular carpet manufacturing saw an 80% decrease in water intake since 1996
43% decrease in total energy use since 1996