Keeping Green
Finding the right floor can be hard enough on its own… and how are you supposed to know what the most sustainable choice is? That’s what we are here for, we carry a multitude of companies that are consciously working on making an environmental difference when providing you products! These are just a few of the many green guard certified companies who contribute to our sustainable flooring options!
Amorim Wise – Cork
Cork is one of the most sustainable floors we carry. One of its main advantages is harvesting does not harm any trees or the environment. In addition, cork is 100 % natural, recyclable and its production has a negative carbon balance. Amorim doesn’t stop there, they have also made production a priority. They recycle all waste to create more product and energy. As a company Amorim focuses on the production process and making it a sustainable one. All this while creating beautiful unique visuals.
Shaw – Carpet Sustainability: Third-Party Certifications
Shaw Floors is committed to manufacturing carpet that is designed to be safe for people and the plant. Learn more about our third-party certifications and what they mean for your and your family.
Cradle to Cradle
More than 85% of the products Shaw makes are Cradle to Cradle Certified™ meaning they are assessed for environmental and social performance across five critical sustainability categories: material health, material reuse, renewable energy and carbon management, water stewardship and social fairness. Shaw has been invested in the Cradle to Cradle design philosophy since 1996 and introduced the first Cradle to Cradle Certified Flooring product in 1999.
Green Label Plus
Green Label Plus, a voluntary industry testing program for carpet and adhesive products, establishes the highest standard for indoor air quality (IAQ) ever set by the carpet industry.
All Shaw Floors carpet products meet the Green Label Plus standard.
The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) created Green Label Plus to identify carpets and adhesives that are tested by an independent, certified laboratory and meet stringent criteria for low chemical emissions. Products with the Green Label Plus certification indicate that they are among the lowest emitting carpet, adhesive and cushion products on the market.
Commercial Carpet & California’s CHPS Criteria
Green Label Plus meets California’s indoor quality standards for low-emitting products used in commercial settings such as schools and office buildings. Under the agreement between CRI and the California agencies, Green Label Plus is acceptable in lieu of Section 01350, the CHPS low-emitting materials criteria for use in schools.
Commercial carpet and adhesives that meet the criteria for Green Label Plus are listed on both the CRI and CHPS websites.
Mohawk, Karastan and Godfrey Hirst – Carpet
Mohawks approach to sustainability focusses on every point in the products life cycle from raw materials , manufacturing and distribution to install methods and end of life recycling. Westboro Flooring & Décor features Mohawks Smart Strand and Ever Strand fibres in our showroom. Ever Strand is produced using 100 % post consumer recycled content, mainly water bottles. Creating a product with the benefit of keeping those bottles out of the ocean at the same time.
Smart Strand is produced in part from plant based ingredients without any harsh chemicals. Smart Strand fibres can also be found in our Karastan and Godfrey Hirst products as well.
You can’t go wrong with a natural fibre straight from a sheep in New Zealand. Godfrey Hirst provides a remarkable product with remarkable beauty, performance, health benefits and environmental integrity. Wool is the only authentic naturally sustainable fibre.
Fuzion – FlooringHardwood / LVT
Fuzion Flooring looks for ways to reduce waste and help maintain our forests. Partnered with, “ The One Tree Planted “ environmental charity, every time an order is place a tree is planted. Helping to reforest the world one tree at a time. Fuzion also carries a floor score certification that tested over 35 VOC emissions to ensure they are delivering a product that is safe to use in homes, school and ever Health care centers. Fuzion vinyl also features a PVC and Free 100% organic line of waterproof laminates.
Lauzon – Hardwood
Lauzon Hardwood offers an exclusive innovation of air purifying smart floor. Pure Genius is a light activated air purifying agent made of titanium oxide. This improves the air quality within the home without compromising the appearance or strength of the wood. It makes the air 85% more pure. Lauzon is also conscious of its forestry. By managing their own forests they are able to ensure they are always in the best shape. By only using a low percentage of the forest and focusing on younger and more vigorous tree’s growth. Lauzon’s factory is also run on a zero waste policy, using their waste to power their factory. That I would say is, pure genius.
Mercier – Hardwood
Mercier Wood Floors takes sustainability very seriously being the leader in achieving the lowest amount of waste in the industry at 2 – 5 %. What’s more is they reinsert 100 % of residue back into the factory for energy. Along with their consciousness to production they also use all recycled and recyclable products for their packaging.
Karndean – Vinyl
Karndean uses key raw materials such as salt as a renewable resource. In addition to some renewable bio – base raw materials, the minerals used to reinforce their products are naturally plentiful from the earths crust. Raw materials are purchased in bulk and sourced locally as often as possible. Thinking from start to finish ever their adhesive and accessories are water based with extremely low VOC’ levels.
Beaulieu – Carpet & Vinyl
Starting with the production of products, Beaulieu is making changes for the future. Focusing on the long term they are changing out their current boiler system to reduce their gas emissions by nearly 70 %. They are not stopping there, by being cautious of the energy they are using they have decided to cut down their water consumption, electrical consumption and their landfill footprint. Creating a better tomorrow for future generations.
Oeko-Tex – Window Covering Fabrics / Blinds ( ALTEX )
The International Oeko-Tex Association was established in Switzerland in 1992, in response to growing global concerns over product safety. That same year, the organization introduced its most famous certification — Standard 100. Products carrying that label are free of high levels of over 100 harmful substances known to be dangerous to humans and the environment.
It’s important to note that every component of the product is tested. That means every button, zipper, lining and even special coatings applied to the finished article are separately tested for the same chemicals. This is important, because when you wear a piece of clothing or sleep in bedsheets, any toxic substances they were treated with can be absorbed into your body. So by purchasing products that have the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 label, you guarantee the textiles you wear or sleep in are safe.
The criteria for Oeko-Tex Standard 100 are reviewed and updated every year. Since this is a global standard, the certification requirements are universal regardless of the country. Companies that want their products certified apply voluntarily. Eighteen independent laboratories across the globe test the products. After 12 months, manufacturers must re-apply to update their Oeko-Tex certifications. You can check the validity of every current Oeko-Tex label online.