|
The Interface pledge
is that we will emit nothing faster than the earth can safely deal
with, and nothing that will diminish the earths biodiversity.
The Interface Benign Emissions initiative focuses
on the elimination of molecular waste emitted to natural systems
that have negative or toxic effects, including carbon dioxide. Towards
this end we have reduced the intensity of many materials in our
products and we are working with our suppliers to develop benign
- often natural - alternative materials.
This project not only seeks to reduce emissions but to eliminate
the sources of emissions.
Total Stack Elimination
Worldwide, Interface has identified and inventoried 265 air emissions
stacks and 21 waste water effluent pipes at our 27 manufacturing
locations. Each location has actively worked to eliminate air
emissions (or stacks) and effluent components (or discharge points)
within this programme.
As a result, we have reduced the number of chimneys at our plants
by 27% worldwide since 1995. As of December 2000, Interface had
eliminated 74 stacks and 8 effluent discharges.
We estimate that our worldwide greenhouse gas emissions are down
30% per dollar of sales since 1994. Five of our six plants in Europe
and Asia Pacific are ISO 14001 certified; the other is pending certification.
Ultimately, the only substances emitted from our plants should be
clean air, clean water and valuable products for the commercial
interiors market.
Emissions and environmental footprint are closely linked to the
amount of petroleum or carbon based
resources that a business takes in the form of material and energy.
From 1994 to 2000, Interface has increased the use of non-petroleum
materials by 71%.
We have to be sure that whatever we emit is harmless to the biosphere.
Therefore, in order to prevent toxic emissions altogether, we are
gaining the support and cooperation of our suppliers, who are working
with us to find gentler, more sustainable solutions than current
products and processes. Most materials entering our factory consist
of substances that never should have been taken from the earth's
crust.
Eliminating Toxic
Materials
The second major focus
of the Benign Emissions initiative is to eliminate the use of ecologically
damaging materials. We are striving to reduce and eliminate the
use of toxic chemicals from all our
sites and products. On occasion, where we have found it impossible
to produce a product without the use of an unpleasant chemical the
product has been removed from sale until an alternative process
can be found. Much work still needs to be done in this area and
we intend to continue to work in a way that uses the worlds toughest
regulations as our very minimum standard.
Air Emissions
Our goal is to achieve
zero emissions. In 1997, Interface worldwide inventoried all existing
air stacks and wastewater discharges from each facility. Data on
emissions were collected and matched stack
by stack. Interface's Chairman and CEO, Ray Anderson, called for
a study of the most stringent applicable regulations or limitations
for air or water emissions worldwide. This internal data was used
to
compare each stack to the most stringent pollutant regulations found.
The study included "criteria pollutants" and selected
greenhouse gases. Each facility worldwide was challenged and is
actively working to meet the "most stringent" regulations
found. We are eliminating stacks and emission sources through process
elimination and process redesign, as well as alternate energy sources,
including green energy. The UK sites now operate on 100% renewable
electricity thereby reducing our impact on the emissions of greenhouse
gases. (See Renewable Energy).
Water Management
While not all Interface
subsidiaries produce waste water, those that do are working toward
reducing and reusing this water, and treating the effluent released
into the environment.
One of our fabrics production
facilities in USA has had great success in naturally treating waste
water, resulting in a greater than 30% reduction in gallons of water
per production unit. They are also using
reed beds to assimilate biosolids from the municipal treatment plant.
They are harvesting and composting mature reeds, and are also composting
organic waste and biosolids for fertilizer that can
later be sold as topsoil.
Minimizing Our Effect
on Climate Change
In accordance with the
recommendations from the World Resources Institutes Safe
Climate, Sound Business Initiatives," Interface commits to:
* Measure, track, and
openly report greenhouse gas emissions from our operations.
* Spread the word by
working with our suppliers to reduce their emissions.
* Seize opportunities
to reduce and sequester greenhouse gas emissions from facilities,
products, and supply chains worldwide.
* Develop cost-effective
technologies, products and business ventures for minimising emissions
and achieving sequestration in the 21st century.
* Include global climate
considerations in new investment decisions in both developing and
developed nations.
* Educate employees,
customers, suppliers, and other key stakeholders, to raise their
awareness of climate change issues, their own contribution, and
potential response options.
* Participate in the
debate on climate change at both the national and international
levels and contribute
constructively to policy formulation and implementation.
* Reduce our greenhouse
gas emissions per year, per unit of production, until 2005, at which
time we will reset the target.
* Support market based
approaches to emissions reductions.
* Strive for zero emissions
in all operations.
"Alone, our actions
may be insignificant, but if we can inspire others
to join us, we can avert this systemic disturbance to our planet."
For further information
contact sustainability@eu.interfaceinc.com.
Or visit our Sustainability Website at www.interfaceeurope.com/sustainability
|