Johnsonite rubber tile from Tarkett, a supplier of innovative and sustainable flooring and sports surface solutions, recently achieved the Cradle to Cradle Bronze Certification (C2C) under Version 3.0. The certification can be used to help projects with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) credit achievement.
In order to achieve C2C Bronze Certification, the Johnsonite rubber tile products had to fulfill a number of requirements, including:
- Material Health: All chemicals used in the product were assessed and a phase-out strategy was developed for the materials causing potential issues.
- Material Reutilization: Material reutilization score ≥ 35.
- Renewable Energy and Water Stewardship: A facility-wide water audit was completed. The facility is equipped with a closed-loop water cooling circuit to reduce consumption of drinking-quality water. The site has developed a renewable energy and carbon management strategy.
- Social Fairness: Tarkett has supported the United Nations Global Compact since 2010. The company also has strict corporate governance rules, trains employees in its code of ethics, and incorporates Global Compact principles across purchasing contracts.
“For more than 50 years Tarkett has been committed to proactively addressing environmental challenges in manufacturing and product development by developing solutions that contribute positively to the environment and the well-being of people,” said Diane Martel, vice president of environmental planning and strategy with Tarkett North America. “This certification exemplifies our ongoing dedication to developing and enhancing products based on our work with the Environmental Protection & Encouragement Agency, Cradle to Cradle principles, and Circular Economy approach.”
Working in tandem with the scientific institute EPEA, Tarkett is focused on developing and manufacturing products that are safe for people and the environment, and that can enter into a technical or biological cycle at the end of the use. EPEA values are based on intelligent, aesthetic, and eco-effective design and are dedicated to optimizing products within the C2C framework. Tarkett extended its efforts globally and in 2011 began applying C2C principles in partnership with the EPEA in the eco-design of products across all global brands, moving toward a goal of circular, closed-loop design and manufacturing.
Transition and human intention are recognized by the C2C program as part of any successful protocol for continuous product improvement. According to the Cradle to Cradle Certified Product Standard, “The goal of continuous improvement is not simply reducing the human and environmental impact of a product, but instead combines the progressive reduction of bad with the increase of good.”
