Sustainability
Constant Improvement Drives Us Every Day
As one of New Zealand's leading sustainable flooring companies, we understand that there is a limit to the world’s resources and that every decision we make has a clear consequence on future generations.
Our
Commitment
Manufacturers can no longer maintain processes that deliver the best bottom-line results, nor can they cling to old habits. Signature Floorcoverings adapts to this changing market by partnering with global factories that meet our strict sustainability requirements. Without committing to any one type of equipment, our products are produced with the latest sustainable technologies. We are also the leading exporters of floorcoverings in compliance with Australia’s strict environmental standards.
To improve the sustainability of our manufacturing process, we currently work with industry accredited bodies rather than create our own in-house standards. While the road to complete sustainability is a long one, the journey has begun. What's more, it's our goal as one of New Zealand's sustainable flooring companies to take the lead in delivering the latest initiatives for the market. Constant improvement drives us every day!
Certifications
Green Tag
Specifiers today actively seek sustainable solutions while attempting to sort claims from fact. That’s why Signature carpet tiles are GreenRate™ Level A accredited by Global Green Tag®. As a result, setting the benchmark for commercial flooring.
Now, satisfy your project’s sustainability needs with independently accredited and budget-friendly flooring products. With Green Tag® and GreenRate™ accreditation programs, you’ll have the assurance that products have met the most stringent green building certification standards.
Declare
A nutrition label for building products.
A Declare label answers three questions:
- Where does a product come from
- What is made from?
- Where does it go at the end of its life?
EPD
An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is an independently verified and registered document that communicates transparent, comparable data and other relevant environmental information. This is primarily about the life-cycle environmental impact of a product. Signature is, in fact, the first Australasian carpet tile distributor to publish a third-party verified Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). Additionally, they’re available for all of our Thermo Bak and Comfi Bak carpet tiles.
Product
Stewardship
We understand the need for innovation and leadership in the area of product stewardship. We also agree that corporate, social and environmental responsibility goes beyond the point of sale and warranty periods. That's why we commit to responsible lifecycle management in conjunction with our manufacturing partners to provide a sustainable commercial carpet solution.
Stewardship solutions need to be realistic, manageable and importantly reflect cost implications. The New Zealand market currently offers little in the ability to effectively recycle end of life materials. This includes the separation and reuse of both backing and fibre. Options, such as recolouring for resale strongly limits subsequent users in product construction and colouring. Plus, the realistic demand for ‘second hand’ product is extremely low. Even the prospect of transporting to an overseas purpose-built recycling facility provides little benefit once the total environmental footprint is assessed.
Our manufacturing facility is located near one of only two carpet recycling facilities in the world. That means, we have the ability to separate and recycle returned materials. However, like other manufacturers, sending these materials overseas for processing does not make sense for the purposes of sustainability.
The GPT building at 530 Collins Street Melbourne, is a stellar example of a Signature reuse and recycling program. What's great is that this single project has seen in excess of 33,000m2 of competitor products taken back, cleaned, donated and reused in community projects.
With the use of premium fibres, particularly Antron, our products now offer significant warranties. In effect, most commercial carpet tiles will not ‘wear out’ and this allows us to confidently offer a realistic ‘re-use’ stewardship program.
To get more details of our success with the 530 Collins St project, contact your Signature representative.
Our products are also designed for disassembly. That means materials could be salvaged for both clean and reuse or complete recycling. What's more, our current product stewardship system is 3rd party accredited by Eco Specifier, certifying products as Green Tag Green Rate level A.
The Signature Floorcoverings Pty. Ltd Product Stewardship Policy and Lifecycle Management Plan are as detailed below:
In conjunction with our manufacturing partners and suppliers, we will take back all carpet, carpet tile, vinyl & hybrid plank and rubber tile flooring products. We will then re-use and recycle them in the following ways:
• Refurbishing for possible reuse by the existing customer or selling/remarketing to new customers.
• Selling or donating products in existing condition, or refurbished if required, to other commercial businesses or organisations.
• Disassembling rubber tile products for component and/or materials reuse in new product manufacturing.
The Well Building Guide
The WELL Building Standard is an evidence-based system to measure, certify and monitor building performance and its impact on health and well-being.
In fact, the International Well Building Institute's mission is to improve human health and well-being through the built environment. The standard focuses on seven concepts: Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Fitness Comfort and Mind.
Individuals who work in WELL Certified environments have expressed the positive impacts on their productivity and performance.
And, while flooring is not a specific component of the WELL Building Standard, Signature's products can contribute to points on WELL projects.
Need to get in touch with us?
We are committed to delivering the best sales and service the industry can offer. From carpet, hard-floors or custom carpet, we look forward to assisting you with your flooring needs.