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Sustainability in Flooring: A Team Effort

Tim Bradbury
General Manager - Projects

The flooring industry can only achieve true sustainability when manufacturers, suppliers, and specialists work together to design, recover, and repurpose materials in a circular system.

Sustainability isn’t a trend. It’s a responsibility. And in flooring, that responsibility doesn’t fall on one player alone—it takes suppliers, manufacturers, and specialists working together.

The Problem

Every year, thousands of tonnes of flooring waste end up in landfill.Durable materials like vinyl and rubber don’t just disappear when they’re pulled up—they linger for decades, and in some cases, release harmful substances as they break down. It's a challenge that can’t be solved in silos. If we want real change, we need to rethink how the entire industry operates.

The Solution

The answer lies in closing the loop.That means creating a flooring lifecycle where materials don’t go to waste—they’re recovered, recycled, and given a second life. But this only works if every part of the chain plays its role.

Manufacturers

Manufacturers hold the key to designing products that are built for more than a single use. That means:

  • Developing recyclable and modular materials
  • Creating products that can be repaired, not just replaced
  • Ensuring durability that serves the customer without locking waste into landfill for decades
Suppliers

Suppliers have the responsibility to lead with transparency and accessibility. That looks like:

  • Stocking and promoting sustainable options
  • Supporting take-back schemes and collection points
  • Encouraging customers to prioritise eco-conscious choices
Specialists & Installers

On the ground, specialists and installers are the ones who put sustainability into action. Practical steps include:

  • Smarter planning to minimise offcuts and wasted material
  • Promoting modular solutions that extend flooring lifespans
  • Ensuring old flooring is diverted from landfill and given a new purpose
  • Every square metre saved, and every panel repurposed, reduces the environmental footprint of a project.

The Impact

When manufacturers, suppliers, and specialists align, we build more than floors—we build a circular economy. That means:

  • Less waste heading to landfill
  • More resources conserved for future generations
  • A flooring industry that leads with responsibility, not just compliance

Closing the Loop

Sustainability in flooring isn’t about doing what’s easy. It’s about doing what’s right...By rethinking materials, embracing circular practices, and working together across the chain, we can close the loop and create flooring systems that are both functional and future-proof.

Because in the end, sustainability is only possible when we act—together.

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