Radical sustainability is Is possible. The case for full transparency and systems thinking.
Who is Interface? The inventor of carpet tiles $ I billion USD 3500 employees 6 factories globally 47 showrooms Insert image here 40 languages
Ray Anderson One day people like me will go to jail Ray Anderson Founder, Interface
An outrageously ambitious Mission
Our results towards Mission Zero (December 2011) 88% reduction in waste sent to landfill since 1996 per unit of production Water intake in manufacturing is down 84% since 1996 per unit of production Total energy use down by 47% since 1996 per unit of production Non-renewable energy is down by 64% since 1996 per unit of production Absolute reduction of Interface GHG emissions by 35% from baseline 31% of global energy is from renewable sources 44% of total raw materials are recycled or bio-based materials 99% of the products sold in Europe were manufactured in Europe
The 2 paradigm shift OLD Corporate sustainability The Beauty contest Awards, labels, csr reports, certifications Zero company impacts NEW Product sustainability Embedded LCA performance kg co 2 / m 2 Zero product life cycle impacts RADICAL Systems sustainability Services redesign Close loop systems radical materials Zeroing others by cannibalising
Embedding Sustainability? Insert background Image here Truly embedding is in your product
Life Cycle Analysis First step to zero out product impacts
Life Cycle Analysis First step to zero out product impacts
Addressing the big issue What can we do to zero out the impact of yarn? Reduce the amount of yarn used Use more recycled yarn in the composition Invent a new yarn
Microtuft Products Less is more 50% less yarn 340g of yarn vs 700g
Microtuft are high growth products Insert background Image here 13.2% of total EMEAI sales in 2011 are Microtuft products
100% recycled yarn Insert background Image here Over 368 colourways with 100% recycled yarn
Biosfera Micro Biosfera Micro. Superflat 350g yarn 100% recycled yarn 1 st carpet with 100% recycled nylon
Zeroing out the biggest impacts of a carpet tile
Fotosfera. First carpet with a bio-based nylon
Socio-economic benefits for rural farmers Castor fields can fetch revenue over 10 times its input cost They can provide farmers with additional income, because they can thrive on land unsuitable for other uses Castor bean plants can help stabilise the soil and fight erosion
Castor bean plants Thriving under the hot sun Castor bean plants grow in hot dry climates The plants are rapidly renewable and grow in 4 months They can grow in marginal land and do not compete with food crops They need water only once every 20-25 days
Today marketing is based on 100% somethings
Zero Secrets, Full transparency: EPD for all products Carbon information and recycled content at detailed level is provided for our customers
Fact based marketing already mandatory for cars Which drives innovation on efficiency
How the magic metric enabled smart legislation in cars in Europe What is the biggest issue? Energy at use = gco 2 /km (becomes the magic metric) European-wide goals for the industry on gco 2 /km Mandatory displaying of the metric on advertising Company car tax: more tax if more gco 2 /km Road tax: more tax if more gco 2 /km City incentives: Low gco 2 /km have exemptions e.g. parking, congestion charge
Why not in buildings? How full transparency will What is the biggest issue? Energy at use = Kwh/m2 (/occupant per year) Embodied impacts = kgco2/m2 Minimum standards (eg 130 Kh/m2) Mandatory displaying of the metric on every building City council tax: more tax if more energy use Stamp duty: more tax if more energy use
The 2 paradigm shift OLD Corporate sustainability The Beauty contest Awards, labels, csr reports, certifications Zero company impacts NEW Product sustainability Embedded LCA performance kg co 2 / m 2 Zero product life cycle impacts RADICAL Systems sustainability Services redesign Close loop systems radical materials Zeroing others by cannibalising
Zeroing out others! TacTiles substituting adhesives 30m TacTiles sold each year Equal to cover 20% of products sold globally
Zeroing out the walls! Zoning Using the full flexibility and design capabilities of carpet tiles to create all kind of zones within open spaces
Zeroing out the walls! Google offices, Zurich BBC offices, London
ReEntry and Closing the Loop
Our ReEntry 2.0 process Insert background Image here
Our ReEntry 2.0 process Insert background Image here
High yield yarn separation at high enough purity Insert background Image here
Modularity is key for Mission Zero Modularity at the core of the system is key for reverse logistics
The business case of recycling The paradox: Throwing away is cheaper than recycling
The solution for recycling Lobbying Governments: Zero carpet to landfill across Europe
Breaking the Catch 22 Not interested Investor Company Not interested Customer Regulator
Like to work for a carpet company? Insert background Image here
Appealing to a higher ground Insert background Image here
Does Mission Zero pay? 1. Efficiency The Classic question 2. Reputation Most admired companies 3. People Would you like to work for a carpet company? 4. Innovation Expanding to adjacent markets 5. The future Competitive advantage. A closed loop system Old sustainability New sustainability