Recofloor, widely regarded as a great example of circularity in the flooring sector, is celebrating 15 years of recycling waste vinyl flooring in 2024.
An estimated total of 7,250 tonnes of waste vinyl flooring have been collected and recycled through Recofloor since the now well-established scheme was founded by flooring manufacturers Altro and Polyflor in 2009.
To date, the sustainable collection service for commercial waste vinyl flooring has produced 8,504 tonnes of carbon savings – equivalent to taking 2,220 cars off the road for a year.
It also equates to 2,416,667 square metres of vinyl flooring having been recycled back into new flooring as well as traffic management products. The carbon savings estimate is based on displacing concrete in traffic management products, the main application for the recycled flooring.
On reaching the significant milestone in autumn 2024, Recofloor Scheme Manager Carla Eslava comments: “Thanks to continued growth in both members and waste vinyl flooring tonnages collected, Recofloor has been a driving force for sustainability in the flooring sector. We couldn’t be prouder of the commitment shown by the industry and how the practices with regards to waste management are taking a much more responsible approach to source more circular and environmentally friendly services, like Recofloor.
“Our achievements over the last decade and a half are due in no small part to the efforts and enthusiasm to all our members – flooring companies, contractors and distributors – who continue to work so hard to support the scheme.”
Carla adds: “Over the last 15 years, our takeback scheme has led the way in terms of resource recovery and circularity. The scheme has also provided major environmental and economic benefits in diverting waste vinyl flooring from landfill and saving on disposal costs for our members.”
To celebrate their 15th anniversary, in August Recofloor opened a prize draw with 15 exciting prizes on offer, including one Altro and Polyflor training courses for up to two contractors. In addition, Recofloor participants since the scheme’s inception who have collected more than 50 tonnes of waste vinyl received a celebration card and goodies.
Recofloor members benefit from gaining environmental points when they apply for BREEAM certification and the Recofloor team can help with this process by providing a collection certificate and statement letters highlighting the volumes collected and the CO2 savings.
Collecting acceptable commercial vinyl flooring waste for recycling can save up to 70% on waste disposal costs, such as skip hire and gate fees.
Recofloor is the UK’s leading vinyl take back scheme. It is free to join and simple to use. To find out more, go to www.recofloor.org or contact Recofloor on 0161 355 7618 or at info@recofloor.org.
