165 Carpet Carpet has a particularly high environmental cost throughout its production, use and disposal phases. Embodied carbon is particularly high due to the plastics and petrochemicals carpet contains. Although natural fibres such as wool are better choices, their comparative sustainability depends on how they are processed. Issues for carpet sustainability include reducing the waste, emissions and other factors inherent in production, as well as provision of safe and eco-friendly disposal when carpets reach the end of life, avoiding landfill. Carpet certifications include CRI Green Label Plus (for VOC emissions), Cradle to Cradle and NSF 140 Platinum. Modularity in carpets is achievable by specifying carpet tiles that can easily be removed and updated. For nylon carpets, solution-dyed nylon yarn and carpets with high recycled plastic content can reduce the environmental impacts. Low-pile carpets win out over deep-pile versions from an eco-friendly perspective too.1 Furniture Much furniture is made of wood and wood products. FSC certification and the EU Ecolabel for Furniture provide reassurances to businesses specifying these products that the items they choose meet certain minimum sustainability standards such as being sourced from legal, sustainably managed forests, and being free of harmful substances and emissions. The Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme (FISP) provides audits that cover the following environmental options: Environmental Management System, Energy Management and Efficiency, Waste Management, Sustainable Packaging Management, Sustainable Procurement, Sustainable Transport, Sustainable Timber, Air and Water Management, Eco-design and End of Life Management.2 1 Source: Carbon Smart Materials Palette, Carpet 2 Source: Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme, How FISP Works Specifying sustainable furniture and fitments The Nordic Swan label advises those specifying interiors to look out for: • Use of sustainable and renewable raw materials, requirements for traceability and a minimum of 70 per cent certified wood raw material • Environmental and health properties of chemicals used in production, added to the materials, or used in surface treatment substances. (such as carcinogens, halogenated flame retardants, fluorinated substances and antibacterial additives including nanoparticles) • Limits for content of, and low emissions of, formaldehyde and VOC in relevant chemicals and materials such as adhesives, padding materials, textiles, wood-based panels and laminate • Limits for energy consumption in the production of wood-based panels and laminate, as well as stand-by energy consumption for height adjustable furniture such as desks and beds. Source: Nordic Ecolabelling, Group
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