Understanding Circular Economy Principles
The circular economy represents a fundamental shift from the traditional "take-make-dispose" linear model to a regenerative system where materials maintain value throughout multiple use cycles.
Linear vs. Circular Economy
In the linear model, raw materials are extracted, manufactured into products, used, and discarded as waste. This approach depletes natural resources and generates pollution at every stage. The circular economy instead designs out waste, keeps materials in use, and regenerates natural systems.
Core Principles Applied to Flooring
- Design for Longevity: Create durable products that last decades, reducing replacement frequency
- Design for Disassembly: Enable easy separation of components for repair, refurbishment, or recycling
- Use Recycled Content: Incorporate post-consumer and post-industrial materials into new products
- Enable Recycling: Ensure products can be recycled into new flooring or other valuable materials
- Consider Biodegradation: For natural materials, ensure safe return to biological cycles
- Implement Take-Back Programs: Accept used products for recycling or remanufacturing
When flooring is designed with these principles, it becomes a resource that retains value rather than waste that costs money to dispose of.
Manufacturers Leading Circular Innovation
Several flooring manufacturers have pioneered circular economy approaches, demonstrating that sustainable business models can be profitable while reducing environmental impact.
Interface (Carpet Tile)
Interface is perhaps the most celebrated example of circular flooring. Their ReEntry program collects used carpet tiles for recycling into new products. Their mission, "Climate Take Back," aims to reverse global warming through carbon-negative products. Interface carpet tiles now incorporate recycled nylon (including reclaimed fishing nets through Net-Works), and their backing systems are designed for separation and recycling.
Mohawk (Carpet and LVT)
Mohawk's ReCover program recycles carpet into new products. Their Air.o unified soft flooring is 100% recyclable, designed to be recycled as a single material without separation. Mohawk also invests in recycling facilities processing billions of pounds of material annually.
Shaw (Carpet and Hard Surfaces)
Shaw's Cradle to Cradle certified products and re[TURN] program facilitate carpet recycling. They process carpet into new products at their recycling facilities. Shaw has achieved significant recycled content percentages across product lines.
Tarkett (Multiple Categories)
Tarkett operates take-back programs across North America and Europe. Their ReStart collection service accepts installation waste and post-use flooring. Tarkett has pledged to use only recycled and sustainably sourced materials by 2030.
Armstrong (Resilient Flooring)
Armstrong's reclamation program collects installation scraps and post-consumer flooring for recycling into new products. Their VCT and linoleum products incorporate significant recycled content.
Naturally Circular Flooring Materials
Some flooring materials are inherently circular due to their natural origins and properties, fitting into biological cycles without specialized recycling infrastructure.
Cork
Cork represents near-perfect circularity. Cork oak bark is harvested every 9-12 years without harming trees, which live 150-200 years. Cork is completely biodegradable at end of life, returning safely to earth. Cork production actually benefits the environment by maintaining forest ecosystems that support biodiversity and sequester carbon.
Reclaimed Wood
Reclaimed wood bypasses virgin material extraction entirely by repurposing existing lumber. Old barns, factories, and structures provide wood that can be refinished and reinstalled for another lifetime of use. At end of life, wood can be reclaimed again, composted, or used for energy recovery.
Natural Linoleum
Made from linseed oil, wood flour, cork, and natural resins on jute backing, linoleum is entirely biodegradable. Manufacturing is relatively low-impact, and the product lasts 25-40 years. At end of life, linoleum can decompose without releasing harmful substances.
Bamboo
Bamboo's 3-5 year growth cycle makes it rapidly renewable. While bamboo flooring isn't typically recycled due to adhesives, it biodegrades at end of life. Some manufacturers are developing adhesive-free bamboo products to improve end-of-life options.
Recycled Content in Flooring
Using recycled content in new flooring diverts waste from landfills, reduces virgin material extraction, and often lowers carbon emissions from manufacturing.
Types of Recycled Content
- Post-Consumer: Materials collected from consumers after use (e.g., recycled carpet, plastic bottles). Preferred for greatest waste diversion impact.
- Post-Industrial: Manufacturing scrap reused in production (e.g., vinyl trimmings). Still beneficial but doesn't divert consumer waste.
- Pre-Consumer: Similar to post-industrial; material never reached consumers.
Recycled Content by Flooring Type
| Flooring Type | Typical Recycled Content | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet (Nylon) | 20-100% | Recycled carpet, fishing nets, post-consumer nylon |
| Carpet (PET) | Up to 100% | Recycled plastic bottles |
| LVP/LVT | 10-40% | Manufacturing scrap, post-consumer vinyl |
| Rubber Flooring | 75-100% | Recycled tires, manufacturing scrap |
| Tile | 20-70% | Recycled glass, post-industrial materials |
Verifying Claims
Request SCS Recycled Content certification or other third-party verification. Manufacturers should specify whether content is post-consumer or post-industrial. LEED awards more credit for post-consumer content.
End-of-Life Options and Considerations
Planning for end-of-life from the beginning ensures flooring materials retain value and avoid landfill disposal when eventually replaced.
Hierarchy of End-of-Life Options
- Reuse: Flooring removed and reinstalled elsewhere (most valuable)
- Refurbishment: Worn flooring repaired and returned to service
- Recycling to Same Product: Material becomes new flooring (closed loop)
- Recycling to Different Product: Material becomes another useful product (open loop)
- Energy Recovery: Material is burned to generate energy (least preferred, still better than landfill)
- Landfill: No value recovery, environmental burden (avoid)
Facilitating Better Outcomes
- Choose flooring with take-back programs and confirm they're available in your area
- Keep installation documentation and product information for future reference
- Plan removal carefully to preserve material integrity for reuse or recycling
- Contact manufacturers before renovation to arrange collection
- Separate different flooring types to avoid contamination
Current Challenges
Mixed-material flooring (many LVP products) is difficult to recycle because components can't be easily separated. Adhesive-down installations damage flooring during removal. Collection logistics and transportation costs can be prohibitive. Industry progress continues addressing these challenges.
Circular Flooring and LEED Certification
Circular flooring strategies contribute to multiple LEED credit categories, making them valuable for projects pursuing certification.
Relevant LEED Credits
- MR Credit: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization - Material Ingredients: Cradle to Cradle certified products earn points
- MR Credit: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization - Sourcing: Recycled content contributes to this credit
- MR Credit: Construction and Demolition Waste Management: Recycling installation waste and diverting from landfill
- MR Prerequisite: Storage and Collection of Recyclables: Planning for future recyclability supports this requirement
Documentation Requirements
Collect manufacturer declarations of recycled content with post-consumer vs. post-industrial breakdown. Obtain Cradle to Cradle certificates where applicable. Document waste diversion during installation. Keep records of take-back program enrollment for future reference.
Learn more about LEED requirements in our LEED certification guide and product selection for LEED.