Lano Carpets has unveiled its pioneering environmental policy, The Green Signature, with the aim of showing customers and suppliers that its intention to become a sustainable business works for everyone. Through reduction, recycling and rethinking, Lano Carpets is committed to environmental stewardship throughout the sourcing, manufacturing and distribution processes, with the clear intention of minimising its environmental impact through both direct and indirect practices. Moving towards ISO 14001 certification, Lano Carpets will also work closely with suppliers and customers to ensure careful monitoring and analysis of the impact of its products and processes.
During the last six years, Lano has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 40% and is hoping to obtain an overall reduction of 60% by 2012. Energy consumption has been reduced by 25% in the last seven years and as part of the Belgian Flemish Covenant; by 2012 the manufacturer has to reach benchmark energy efficiency and CO2 emissions to the levels of the best international standards.
This commitment to minimising emissions has seen a continual investment in reduction measures since 2008, including the installation of solar panels on the main 12-hectare production site. These solar panels form one of the largest installations in Western Europe and any energy not consumed by Lano Carpets is entered into the main grid. At full capacity, the solar panels produce enough electricity to power 2000 homes.
Reduction of waste is also marked as a key good environmental practice in The Green Signature and Lano Carpets is already separating 97% of its waste in to combustible and recyclable fractions, with the aim to reach 100%. Combustible fractions are transformed into pellets that are used as an alternative to fossil fuels in the cement industry, while recyclable fractions are reused as raw material. Recycled content yarns, such as Econyl by Aquafil, will also be used in increasing measures. The 100% recycled content polyamide yarn is already being used in the Manhattan carpet tile collection produced by Lano Flooring Solutions.
Lano Carpets has also substantially reduced its wastewater production by 15% in the last three years, as well as improving its quality, reducing the environmental impact of its wastewater by 20% and now has abandoned the use of deep groundwater for its production processes. Instead the manufacturer now uses industrial water from a purifying plant sourcing surface water.
In the process of developing sustainable recycling initiatives for both manufacturing processes and post consumer waste, Lano Carpets is working closely with the industry, including being a founding member of the Optimum pilot carpet tile recycling programme. The manufacturer aims to provide workable and sustainable solutions to recycling. With development towards a more sustainable footprint, Lano Carpets is also evaluating the environmental impact of its products through life cycle analysis. Conducted by an independent third party, the LCA helps Lano to identify impacts at every stage of a product’s life from cradle to grave and allows Lano Carpets to identify opportunities for improvement.
The Green Signature also sets out Lano’s commitment to good corporate citizenship and its social responsibility, including founding core values of honesty, integrity, respect, dialogue and accountability throughout all its activities. Committed to training employees and proactively contributing to its local community, Lano Carpets is revealing more than just its GreenSignature, it is making a statement of intent for this and future generations.
For further information on all Lano carpet ranges, freephone 00800 5266 5266 or e-mail marketing@lano.com
