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InterfaceFLOR scoops highest environmental honours at the BCE awards 2006

6 June 2006, United Kingdom
InterfaceFLOR, a worldwide leader in the production of environmentally-responsible modular floor coverings and other textiles, last night won the prestigious Sir Peter Parker Award at the Business Commitment to the Environment (BCE) awards 2006. The award, presented by The Right Hon. David Cameron, was given to Halifax-based InterfaceFLOR for its continued efforts to reduce environmental impact.

The award is given annually to the company considered to show best practice in areas such as climate change, air quality, waste management and resource efficiency and this year recognises InterfaceFLOR’s pioneering achievements in sustainable business practice.

Presenting the award, David Cameron said: “one of the most effective ways of making our society a better place is to improve the environment. Business is in a strong position to contribute to that change and all the evidence is that more and more companies are accepting that challenge.”

Over the last 10 years, InterfaceFLOR, a worldwide leader in the production of environmentally-responsible modular floor coverings and other textiles has undergone a comprehensive transformation geared toward becoming the first company with a zero environmental footprint by 2020.

“The award acts as a testament to the hard work and commitment of everyone involved at Interface. Throughout each and every level of the company, there is a real belief in what we are trying to do. Hopefully other businesses, both large and small will see what can be achieved and follow us on our quest to be 100% sustainable,” said Eddie Bingham, UK Engineering Director at InterfaceFLOR.

Notable achievements include InterfaceFLOR’s energy efficiency and renewable energy programmes, which have resulted in a 56% reduction in CO₂ emissions since 1996. InterfaceFLOR has also made improvements to its production processes allowing an 81% reduction in water intake per m2 of production facilities, petroleum based materials have been reduced by 29% and since 1995 cumulative avoided costs from waste reduction have totalled $299m.

InterfaceFLOR has also worked closely with Climate Care, a not-for-profit organisation that funds projects designed to reduce or reverse the impact of CO₂ emissions, allowing InterfaceFLOR to launch the industry’s first climate neutral carpet - Cool Carpet®. Since its launch in January 2005, more than 17,000 tonnes of carbon have been offset, the equivalent to 4,250 cars being taken off the road for a year.

Blake Bower, Sustainability Manager at InterfaceFLOR, says: “We are constantly looking at ways in which we can refine our business practices to further benefit the environment. We have come a long way in the last 10 years and the next 10 will present greater hurdles. By challenging conventional methods we can turn these obstacles into opportunities and evolve as a business.”

Established to recognise and reward exceptional environmental best practice in action, the BCE awards, celebrating their 31st year, are regarded as a top accolade by customers, businesses and regulators and are one of only a few feeder schemes for the European Environment Awards. Sponsored by AEA Technology Environment, the scheme is run by business for business.

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