This is one of the presentations I did at Ecobuild. Here are the questions for debate (and in brackets my views): 1. Is collective responsibility a realistic part of the solution to creating a more equitable society? (For many products we should go further and have individual responsibility. For example in our industry, specially in interior design, the individual manufacturers can easily offer individual take back systems and actually take back products when installing a new product) 2. Is there a direct link between economic growth/stability and increasing levels of consumption? Can economic growth exist without increasing consumption? (I really believe we can grow without growth of stuff, mainly through selling added value services and knowledge. More beauty, more knowledge with less stuff) 3. Can we decouple consumerism with waste generation? (Yes, we can. We have designed products with up to 50% less yarn. There is also a growing increase in services in general across many industries eg. online betting, music, languages, education)

1. Wombles session,
Ecobuild, March 1st

2. $433 Million in avoided
waste costs, globally

3. Eliminate Waste.
Ultrasonic Cutting Machine

4. Closing the Loop

5. Closing the Loop. Re-Entry 2.0 process

10. The paradox: ‘Throwing away’
is cheaper than recycling

11. Influencing Governments:
We are waging a ‘War on Waste’

12. LESS IS MORE:
Flatworks Product Category
– 50% less yarn
– Same performance
– Between hard floor and carpet
– Appealing to non-carpet markets
– Patented technique

13. How would nature
Design a carpet tile?

15. Average installation waste for carpet
For a rectangular building before walls installed after walls
Broadloom 400 cm 8-12 % 12-15%
Broadloom 200 cm 7-10 % 10-12%
Monolithic tiles 3% 3-4%
Ashlar/brick tiles 3-5% 4-5%
Random designs 1-2% 1-2% Typical broadloom
installation waste: 8-12%
For a round or triangular building
Broadloom 400 cm 20-25% 25-30 %
Broadloom 200 cm 17-23% 23-27%
Monolithic tiles 3-5% 4-5%
Random tiles installation
Ashlar/brick 4-6% 5-6% waste: 1.5%
Random designs 1-2 % 1-2%
Source: InterfaceFLOR sales team in the Netherlands