Recofloor has beaten this year’s 500tonnes target more than two months early.
By the end of October 2021, the growing scheme had collected 517tonnes of commercial waste vinyl flooring for recycling.
Founded in 2009 by flooring manufacturers Altro and Polyflor, the scheme provides an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to traditional waste disposal routes, helping the flooring sector and its partners to become more sustainable. In total, nearly 6,000tonnes of waste vinyl flooring have been collected through Recofloor for recycling, saving 7,347tonnes of CO2 emissions.
‘It’s great news and a fantastic achievement, given the still challenging times,’ says Carla Eslava, Recofloor manager. ‘We are delighted to have smashed this year’s target so early thanks to the commitment, effort and enthusiasm shown by our participants throughout the UK.”
Several factors that contributed to hitting the target before the end of December, including the ongoing buoyancy of the construction sector as pandemic measures relaxed. ‘Many of our contractors have reported being very busy over the past 18 months or so, particularly in healthcare and care home settings, which has helped to lift our collection volumes. We also think we currently have a core of more engaged contractors who are having regular collections with nearly 50% of these being for four bags or more,’ says Eslava.
Throughout the past 12 months, Recofloor has expanded its membership network and now has 57 drop-off sites at flooring distributors nationally where material can be dropped off and bulked for collections.
‘Recofloor members are passionate about doing their bit for the environment; by using the scheme, their waste vinyl avoids being landfilled. Plus, it offers a convenient and sustainable waste disposal solution that saves them time and money.’
Recofloor is free to join. The scheme accepts LVT, smooth, safety and loose lay vinyl offcuts, roll ends as well as uplifted smooth and loose lay vinyl. Material is recycled and used in new products, including flooring.
