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1 Welcome to this course on NSF/ANSI 140: Sustainability Assessment for Carpet. This course has been developed by the Carpet and Rug Institute, the national trade association for the carpet industry. Note to Presenters: Regular typeface script Italics typeface suggested activities or additional information FYI Suggested Demo Materials: NSF/ANSI 140 (or cover shot) Information from carpet-rug.org CRI Sustainability Report and use the Environmental/Sustainability Downloadable Fact Sheet appropriate for your audience (residential, A&D, etc.) 2pp. PDF from that describes the NSF standard, certification benefits and the purpose of NSF. Pellets, recycled yarn, environmentally friendly backing systems (no brand labels) LEED documentation 1

2 This one-hour course has been approved by AIA (The American Institute of Architects), USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council) and IDCEC (The Interior Design Continuing Education Council). Note: Actual course #s are noted on first and last page, if applicable. 2

3 For this course, we will focus on product sustainability, what it means and why it is important. By the end of the course, you be able to State the benefits of environmental standards. Describe the five functional areas identified by the Joint Committee as being essential for producing sustainable carpet. (Note: The Joint Committee is a multi-stakeholder group of leaders who determine the direction and composition of the standard. It is composed of government officials, carpet industry members, entrepreneurs and product users. Explain NSF/ANSI 140. Use NSF/ANSI 140 effectively to specify carpet 3

4 How many of you have specified or purchased sustainable carpet? Ask for a show of hands. Interest in sustainable carpet has greatly increased in the marketplace. Was it labeled or certified as sustainable? Ask participants who raised their hands for details. NSF/ANSI 140, Sustainability Assessment for Carpet is the first industry-wide unified standard for sustainable carpet for the entire Unites States. For the first time in the building industry, architects, designers and end users will be able to easily identify carpets certified to have a reduced environmental impact. This ANSIaccredited standard applies to carpets for all types of buildings in the US, such as commercial office, education, government, healthcare, hospitality, etc. In order to understand what sustainable carpet is, let s first agree on what our definition of sustainability is. (Ask for suggestions of a definition from the participants.) There are various definitions of sustainability, but in terms of environmental science, sustainability is defined as the quality of not being harmful to the environment or depleting natural resources, and thereby supporting long-term ecological balance. The three tenets of sustainability are environmental legacy, economic strength and social responsibility, all geared toward meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future. Sources: CRI Sustainability Report, 2008 and Dictionary.com. 4

5 We just mentioned that NSF International is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that provides standards development, product certification, education and risk management for public health and safety. Their first ever published standard for sustainable flooring is NSF/ANSI 140. Its purpose is to provide a market-based definition for a path to sustainable carpet. It also establishes performance requirements for public health and environment and addresses critical economic, environmental, and social issues throughout the supply chain. Difference between ANSI (American National Standard Institute) and NSF: NSF is the development organization and secretariat for the development of the standard. They helped organize, write, and submit the standard for approval. ANSI is the body that evaluates and certifies standards and organizations for the integrity of consensus based standards. Normally, they evaluate organizations in accordance with the relevant ISO or approved national standards. d NSF/ANSI 140, the Sustainable Carpet Assessment Standard, does what all good standards do: it provides a way for people buying carpet to compare different green products and it gives a clear goal for manufacturers to meet. The standard provides information to help specifiers and supply chain stakeholders sort out information i on sustainable attributes. It allows those seeking sustainable solutions to obtain preferred vendor status and helps companies meet state and federal procurement guidelines. 5

6 Sustainability addresses not only how we manufacture products and impact our environment, but also how sound and equitable our business practices are and how we contribute tib t to our communities and dto society in general. Socially Beneficial: Addressing conduct and interactions with the following groups: Employees fair wages, right to organize, vacation/sick leave policies, training, access to benefits (health, dental, life insurance ) Suppliers Non-discrimination, reasonable payment terms, anti-piracy support Community Hire First, volunteer efforts, charitable donations Customers Non-discrimination, fair access, anti-monopolistic Commercially Productive: Satisfactory shareholder returns Appropriate reinvestment in R&D Fair share tax payments Reasonable debt structure Responsible executive pay 6

7 NSF/ANSI 140 is the culmination of five years of consensus-driven work by a host of diverse stakeholders including carpet and rug manufacturers, suppliers, regulatory state and federal agencies responsible for procurement practices, customers, end users, academia and other industry participants. The standard was published as an American National Standard in A joint committee of the stakeholders meet regularly to refine and advance the standard. NSF/ANSI 140 is the first multi-attribute ANSI approved standard geared toward building product sustainability for carpet, the first in the construction industry. A number of states as well as agencies within the Federal Government have adopted NSF 140 as part of their procurement guidelines: California, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, the United States Federal Government (GSA), New York (proposed). p 7

8 For the NSF Product certification, there are three levels of achievement for attaining various levels of reduced environmental impact (silver, gold and platinum). There are pre-requisites for achievement in each of the five categories. No minimum number of credits from any category is required for compliance. All credits have the same weighting or value toward compliance. Multiple certifiers can evaluate products and certify them as meeting NSF/ANSI 140. At present (August, 2011) those are as follows: NSF International SCS (Scientific Certification Systems): SCS Sustainable Choice Carpet UL Environment (Underwriters Laboratories): NSF Sustainability TM Certification/Sustainability Assured 8

9 As far as the levels of product certification, there are pre-requisites for achievement in each of the five categories. No minimum number of credits from any category is required for compliance. All credits have the same weighting or value toward compliance. Multiple certifiers can evaluate products and certify them as meeting NSF/ANSI 140. At present (August, 2011) those are as follows: UL Environment (Underwriters Laboratories): NSF Sustainability TM Certification/Sustainability Assured NSF International SCS (Scientific Certification Systems): SCS Sustainable Choice Carpet 9

10 CRI was deeply involved in the creation of NSF/ANSI 140, but does not own or maintain the standard. The Carpet and Rug Institute does not produce or certify products but acts in a stewardship role to represent the interests of their carpet manufacturer members and the carpet consuming public and to provide a service to the public by listing carpets certified to NSF/ANSI 140 on their website. CRI is referenced by GSA and State of California as the primary location to verify compliance. 10

11 The CRI website is the only location that lists every company who has achieved certification levels regardless of testing company or membership status. You can visit to see a listing of all companies and their products that have been certified under NSF/ANSI

12 NSF/ANSI 140 is a point-based system evaluation system (comparable to the LEED [Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design] rating system for green buildings). It is based on life cycle assessment principles. By basing the carpet rating on LCA principles, a carpet product must provide environmental, economic, and social benefits while protecting and enhancing the needs of future generations, public health, welfare, and environment over its full commercial cycle, from raw materials extraction to final disposition. A sustainable carpet must also provide the equivalent in performance and quality to other carpets. Extra information: Social Equity has been defined as The fair, just and equitable management of all institutions serving the public directly or by contract, and the fair and equitable distribution of public services, and implementation of public policy, and the commitment to promote fairness, justice, and equity in the formation of public policy. It also means a manufacturer does not pollute a third world country, pay slave wages or use child labor. 12

13 There are many elements to life cycle thinking, which considers a holistic purview. Rather than just looking at the amount of waste that ends up in a landfill or incinerated, a life-cycle approach evaluates energy use, material inputs, wastes and emissions generated from raw material extraction to the end-of-life of the product, process or activity being evaluated.* The life cycle inventory phase is where all of the data gathering occurs in accordance with the stated goals, scope and boundary conditions of the study. This is a rigorous and quantitative accounting of all the energy and raw materials, air emissions, water consumption, solid and hazardous wastes as well at other environmental and material flows. Source: *Product Life-Cycle Analysis: Environmental activities for the classroom, Waste Management and Research Center, Champaign, IL,

14 This is a process for assessing the effects of the findings identified in the inventory phase. Impact assessments could include: ecological, human health as well as societal impacts. There are a number of life cycle impact assessment methodologies internationally but the U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has created one that is widely adopted domestically. It is the Tool for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and Other Environmental Impacts or TRACI. The impact categories under TRACI include: Ozone depletion, global warming, smog formation, acidification*, eutrophication**, human health, eco-toxicity, fossil fuel depletion, land use and water use Background: *Acidification the process of land or water bodies becoming more acidic ** Eutrophication: a process by which pollution from such sources as sewage effluent or leachate from fertilized fields causes a lake, pond, or fen to become overrich in organic and mineral nutrients, so that algae and cyanobacteria grow rapidly and deplete the oxygen supply 14

15 There are five main categories in which a product can gain points to comply with NSF/ANSI The first category, PHE, deals with health and environmental issues such as water consumption and indoor air quality. 2. EN, includes reducing the BTUs per square yard of carpet made, using renewable fuels, and using carpet waste to produce more energy. 3. In the MATLS category, points are awarded for using bio-based, recycled content, or environmentally preferable (EPP) materials. This reduces the landfill space needed and the use of natural resources, without changing the manufacturer warranties. 4. Points are earned in MFG for workers health and safety, along with fair labor practices and working conditions. A shared environmental agenda between the manufacturer and the local community is addressed in this category as well. This includes manufacturers who have Environmental Management Systems in place or are ISO certified. 5. EOL points are earned for efforts to extend the life of carpet, then to reclaim and recycle at the end of its life. Innovation, while not a main category for compliance, is an area where a product can gain up to 10 extra points. These points are awarded for exceptional performance beyond the NSF/ANSI 140 requirements. They also can be earned for doing something that is not specifically addressed in this standard, but is innovative in its positive impact on the environment. e 15

16 This category addresses human and environmental health issues as it relates to the carpet industry. Supply chain feedstock inventory is a detailed toxicological assessment of all material and energy inputs. As far as voluntary pollution reductions, if a company achieves more pollution reduction beyond local, state and federal guidelines, then the company receives extra points. It is important to develop baselines (averages) both for the total performance of the product and for the individual impact categories listed. These baselines then become a method of determining whether changes to the product or process actually improve environmental performance or not. Benchmarking is a reporting of a company s performance in the various impact categories. Companies can receive credit for providing data about their usage in the specified impact categories. That benchmarking data will then be used to help develop the baseline. 16

17 This category contains various options to demonstrate that an organization is taking steps to minimize pollutants and energy use that adversely affect public health and environment. Manufacturers are required to reduce or eliminate chemicals with potential adverse human health effects. Points are given for: Identifying the composition of raw materials including those identified in the standard as persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic. Documenting that persistent bioaccumulative toxins (PBTs) are not present at 0.1 percent or greater in the product. Also, while there are no polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in carpet, concerns by several stakeholders and the California phase out of PBDEs in all products dictated its inclusion. Thus, point(s) can be earned for containing no polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Meeting industry standards for indoor VOC emissions is a prerequisite for gold and platinum performance. Additional points are available for reducing or eliminating other chemicals and for reducing specified life cycle impact areas, including global warming and fossil fuel depletion. 17

18 Renewable energy can be self-generated on site or purchased as renewable energy credits (RECs) Companies are also awarded points for energy reductions, both from an industry baseline and also based on the company s previous year s performance per number of square yards produced. 18

19 This category documents energy used in carpet production, greenhouse gas emissions, and recognizes the use of renewable energy. As a prerequisite, the manufacturer must document 100 percent of its electrical and thermal energy requirements. For onsite-generated energy, the manufacturer shall identify fuel type used; for off-site generated energy, percent renewable vs. non-renewable energy must be documented. Additional points can be earned for the percentage of the manufacturing facility s total production energy requirements that is derived from renewable energy and/or the percentage of energy reduction per square yard or per pound of product. The manufacturer can earn points based on the suppliers usage of renewable energy. And a point may be awarded if the manufacturer documents reductions in green house gas emissions resulting from energy use. 19

20 These items are the key elements used in the evaluation of the manufacturing process and points are specifically earned for: Documenting a formal policy and Environmental Management System (EMS) and publicly declaring environmental targets, objectives and metrics pursuant to ISO By reporting social indicator metrics, including labor practices and decent work conditions, human rights policies and procedures, and societal and community impacts. By demonstrating the product meets applicable performance durability testing requirements. Qualifying i for platinum status t requires completing an actual Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) for the product platform undergoing assessment. Additional points are derived for a range of sustainable business practices from certifying its environmental management system to incorporating environmental components into product design and achievements in minimizing waste generation and reduction.. 20

21 First let s define these terms. Bio-based content is made from renewable sources, like plant or animal sources, which biodegrade. d Who can think of an example of a bio-based b product? The answers may include biodiesel, wooden furniture, wool sweaters, etc. Recycled means to treat or process (used or waste materials) to make them suitable for reuse. Recycled material can be generated either before or after consumers have used it. Post consumer recycled content is material or finished product that has served its intended use and has been diverted or recovered from waste destined for disposal. Post- industrial/pre consumer recycled content are materials generated by manufacturers or product converters, such as trimming, overruns, and obsolete products that are incorporated back into the manufacturing process of the same or a different product that have been diverted from the solid waste stream. Environmentally Preferable Products is defined as products or services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose. Bio-based, recycled content and EPP materials create an outlet for recycled carpet and materials, which reduces the use of landfill space and reduces natural resource, energy, and environmental impacts associated with extracting, ti transporting, ti and manufacturing virgin, i petro-chemical-based raw materials. The use of these materials benefits the environment and society, while upholding quality and performance standards as well as manufacturer warranties. This category requires progressively higher levels of bio-based, recycled content or EPP materials contained in a carpet product. Points are awarded for documenting the bio-based, recycled content or EPP materials of the product. Recycled content must be classified by post industrial/ pre consumer or post-consumer materials as defined by sources stipulated in the standard. Post-industrial/pre-consumer content receives one half the credit of post-consumer content. A 10 percent post-consumer recycled content is a prerequisite for platinum achievement level and can generate points. Beyond the prerequisite inventory of bio-based, recycled content and EPP materials, manufacturers are awarded points for increasing percentages of bio-based, recycled content and EPP materials. Manufacturers can earn points for using 100% bio-based or recycled content. 21

22 End of Life Management involves several different options: reclamation and recycling, secondary materials reclamation systems and repurposing materials. These are examples of some types of programs available to manufacturers to help them meet the requirements of NSF/ANSI

23 This category encourages product reuse, recycling and reclamation, thereby reducing waste to landfills and incineration. It requires extended life of the system including proper installation and maintenance. A manufacturer or supplier has to demonstrate how it takes materials that start as carpet and are reclaimed and/or recycled. This category helps further CARE goals and documents carpet reclamation over the supply chain, avoiding land filling and incineration. As a prerequisite, the manufacturer must describe where operational reclamation opportunities exist. 10 percent reclamation and recycling is a prerequisite for Platinum/EPP, consistent with CARE goals and is awarded one point. A manufacturer earns points by documenting that the materials management system takes materials that start as carpet and reclaims them into secondary non- carpet materials. A manufacturer earns points by reclaiming secondary materials into the same product system from which they originated. A manufacturer earns by taking back materials that start as carpet and are reclaimed and repurposed/refurbished/ reused as equivalent carpet products. Additional points are awarded for various levels of product reclamation. Manufacturers who show an 80 percent reclamation rate calculated according to a proscribed formula receive the total number of allowable points. 23

24 In 2002, a voluntary non-profit partnership was formed by a group of carpet manufacturers, state and federal governments, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders for the purpose of finding market based alternatives to disposing of used carpet at landfills. CARE (The Carpet America Recovery Effort) now has over 360 members who have worked diligently for a number of years to achieve the diversion of over 2 billion pounds of carpet from landfills. This chart shows amounts of carpet diverted from landfills from 2002 through 2010 and According to the 2010 Annual Care Report, carpet manufacturers diverted more than 338 millions pound of used carpet from landfills in 2010 alone shows a continued increase in landfill diversion. Carpet that is diverted from the landfill may either be recycled, may be reused in other products or be used for energy production. Source: carpetrecovery.org 24

25 NSF/ANSI 140 provides manufacturers the opportunity to be awarded points for exceptional performance above the requirements set by the Sustainability Assessment for Carpet or innovative performance not specifically addressed by the standard. Innovation credits address topics that will further the promotion of sustainable carpet. For instance, innovation points can be earned for design innovations that achieve dematerialization, or using less material by percent, or weight per square yard - an accomplishment that means reduced impacts over the life cycle of the product. Other industry advances might include reclaiming components for use in new products or employing new technology. 25

26 Independent third party verification is required for certifying products in two of three categories. The three levels of certification include Platinum, Gold and Silver. The highest level is Platinum and, as the most stringent certification, requires some very specific prerequisites for life cycle assessment and recycled content. Gold is the second level and also requires independent verification. The Silver category may be self-certified by the manufacturer who documents the sustainable practices that have been required for producing the specific product. It is up to the specifier and end user to determine which level of certification is suitable for their project. Note to Instructor: (To engage audience prior to showing the next two slides.) Ask audience: What do you think would be the benefits of NSF/ANSI 140 to specifiers and end users? Ask audience: What do you think would be the benefits of NSF/ANSI 140 to your clients and to society? Chart those if time allows. 26

27 These are some of the benefits for specifiers and end users. NSF/ANSI 140 will simplify the procurement process for sustainable carpet and serve as a model for other industries. Makes selection of an environmentally preferred product easy Architects and designers can use the standard to educate clients in order to produce measurable reductions in total environmental impact. Can assist in earning LEED credits including one Innovation Point Can provide a means to improve indoor air quality And, can be incorporated into specifications 27

28 Paraphrase the benefits listed on the slide. You may give an example if it is generic. 28

29 One objective of NSF 140 was to make specification simple. NSF 140 includes the five most important sustainability characteristics so that specification is as simple as saying, I want NSF 140. A carpet that is manufactured in an environmentally friendly manner yet does not perform on the floor is not sustainable. NSF 140 includes stringent performance requirements such as tuft bind, flame and smoke performance, and electrostatic resistance so that no sleep needs to be lost over specifying these minute yet important details. 29

30 Thank you for your participation. As we close, these are the areas we ve discussed in the presentation today. Rephrase points on slide. 30

31 Carpet manufacturers as an industry together have worked to create the Sustainability Assessment for Carpet. The Carpet and Rug Institute truly is THE source for science-based information and insight into how carpet and rugs can create a better environment - for living, working, learning and healing. What questions do you have? 31

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