Article Number : 2395 |
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| Date | 9/5/2007 10:14:06 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=2395 |
| Abstract | From fashion magazines to the campaign trail, going green is the new black. People know the basics, but what about protecting the environment in the floor covering industry... |
| Article | From fashion magazines to the campaign trail, going green is the new black. People know the basics, but what about protecting the environment in the floor covering industry? Is that a contradiction? Do retailers and salespeople even know which manufacturers are truly green? With the exception of wool carpets, wood floors are the only floor covering made from renewable resources. In addition to providing a healthy atmosphere indoors by limiting dust mites and allergens, wood is actually one of the best environmental choices of flooring as well. It is the responsibility of retailers and salespeople to educate consumers. Which floors and which manufacturers are doing their part? Which are actually contributing to the destruction? For years, Anderson Hardwood Floors has been the benchmark for manufacturing environmentally responsible flooring. This commitment begins with the trees that are selected. As a founding member of the Hardwood Forestry Fund, Anderson can assure customers that 100% of its hardwood timber is legally logged, comes from sustainable forests and is not an endangered species. Anderson was one of the first manufacturers to discontinue products such as teak, merbau and Santos Mahogany due to the over logging or illegal procurement of these species. This eco-friendly attitude continues throughout the manufacturing process. As the inventor of engineered flooring, Anderson’s rotary peeling process nearly doubles the amount of flooring yielded from each log. Remaining scraps are either used to fuel boilers, eliminating the need for oil and gas, or chipped into mulch, which is used to hold moisture in gardens, thus minimizing water usage. Anderson’s veneer mills produce virtually zero waste. All Anderson finishes are free of VOCs. In 1990, Anderson became the first hardwood-flooring manufacturer to eliminate solvent-based stains which produce hazardous waste. Since 1990, Anderson has worked with the Hardwood Forestry Fund to ensure the sustainability of hardwood forests. For every Anderson customer submitting a warranty card, a tree is planted in his or her honor, thus promoting timber growth, management and environmental education. Through efforts like this, there are more trees growing in North America today than there were 100 years ago. Anderson is also partnered with the Forest Stewardship Council and is one of the leading sources of FSCcertified hardwood flooring in North America. With deforestation causing more of an impact on global warming than all the automobiles in the world, ignorance is no longer acceptable. Dealers must promote true green and environmentally-friendly products. Questions must be answered. Where are these trees harvested? Can the manufacturer guarantee they were harvested legally? What steps is the manufacturer taking to limit waste and pollution? What is the manufacturer doing today to ensure a safe and healthy environment tomorrow? The future of the planet depends on the answers. |