Members (and Visitors):

Floor Covering Media found an article, published at http://hawaiirenovation.staradvertiser.com, about the environmental impact of flooring materials and the concrete alternative.  This article, written by their staff, informs readers that every year, a little more than seven billion square feet of carpet and carpet padding end up in landfills in the U.S. Of all the flooring materials currently available, carpet comprises 50 percent of the flooring market and on average it is replaced every five to 11 years. In Hawaii, where available, land resources and landfill space is very limited, waste flooring materials can have a significant impact. Much of the refuse going into our landfills originates from construction and renovation projects, and some of the used flooring materials are shipped to the mainland for disposal. This cycle of import of new materials and export of waste flooring materials has serious implications for energy use and effects on the environment; according to the article.  More at http://hawaiirenovation.staradvertiser.com.

Sincerely,
FCM Staff

Link:

hawaiirenovation.staradvertiser.com/2011/12/interior/the-environmental-impact-of-flooring-materials-and-the-concrete-alternative/