Mission Zero
These days everyone is talking about being green. At FLOR, we welcome the company. Being green has been part of our parent company, Interface, Inc.'s mission since 1994, when Mission Zero was born.
Mission Zero is a promise - not a marketing approach or an advertising tagline, a promise - that every business decision we make will bring us closer to our commitment to eliminate any negative environmental impact the Interface family of companies may have on the Earth by 2020.
To achieve the ambitious goals of Mission Zero, we had to first look at every aspect of our business - all resources, all processes - rethink and reengineer many of them. And then get results that are good for the Earth, good for your home (and even good for business).
Good for the Earth
Overall, within the Interface family of companies, our results have been encouraging:
- 60 percent reduction in manufacturing emissions
- 63 percent reduction in waste to landfills
- 60 percent reduction in our greenhouse gas production
- Conversion to 100 percent renewable electricity in manufacturing
- 45 percent reduction in the amount of energy obtained from fossil fuels
Good for Your Home
FLOR brings a slice of Mission Zero right into your home. These 19.7-inch squares of color, texture and pattern are beauties on the inside, too: non-toxic, formaldehyde-free and antimicrobial, inhibiting mold growth. And with our ingenious installation system, FLORdots, there's never a need for smelly glues, nails or padding to hold your FLOR securely in place.
Good for Business
In our pursuit of Mission Zero's sustainability goals, the Interface family of companies has avoided $405 million in costs over the last 13 years - proving that green business is very good business.
More "green bits"
- Since 1996, we have reduced the use of non-renewable energy by 60% by substituting renewable energy for fossil fuel based energy.
- Since 1996, we have reduced our total energy consumption by 44% through implementation of energy efficient projects and by changing manufacturing processes.
- In 2008, Green House Gas emissions (GHGs) are down 34% from baseline levels as a result of improved energy efficiency, process changes, direct green energy purchases and self-generated electricity. Additional offsets of 37% are due to company-owned GHG emission reduction projects, all resulting in a net change in GHG emissions from baseline of 71%.
- Use of recycled and bio-based raw materials in the manufacture of our products and packaging has increased 24% from 1996 to 2008.
- 2008 water intake per unit of output for modular carpet tile is down 74% since 1996 levels.
- In 2008, the waste sent to landfill per unit of output is down 78% from 1996 levels.
- Eight out of ten manufacturing facilities operate on 100% renewable energy.
- Mission Zero programs have saved Interface $405 million in costs over the last 13 years - making it something that's not only better for the environment but a pretty savvy business practice.
- We partnered with the City of LaGrange, Georgia, to convert methane gas from the local landfill into a green energy source for manufacturing.
- In 2001, we installed skylights with light diffusers in our West Point, Georgia, manufacturing facility, reducing the plant's lighting load by as much as 50% during daylight hours.
- We use solar panels that capture renewable energy from the sun and convert it to useable power for our plant in LaGrange, Georgia.
- Our family of companies has reclaimed more than 175 million pounds of carpet since 1994, diverting tons of materials from the landfill.
- Through our patented Cool Blue™ technology, reclaimed nylon fiber is recycled into new nylon, while separated vinyl backing is recycled into new vinyl backing.
