Interface's Journey to Sustainability

Interface is a resource-intensive company whose largest divisions are petroleum dependent. With sales in approximately 110 countries and manufacturing facilities at 28 sites on four continents, the company makes a significant impact on the planet's commerce and ecology. In 1994 the company's CEO decided to make a commitment to sustainability, and as a result Interface has charted a course to become a sustainable industrial enterprise that is constantly striving to reduce its eco-footprint.

Interface's sustainability goals involve reducing their greenhouse gas emissions, reducing non-renewable energy use, and increasing renewable energy use in their production process.

There have been over 400 sustainability initiatives undertaken so far. Energy efficiency drives have been implemented since 1996 throughout manufacturing plants and to 2005 these resulted in a 36% reduction in total energy usage per square metre of manufactured carpet. During the same time period, Interface also acheived a 52% absolute reduction in C02. 11% of the company's energy now comes from renewable sources, and four of its global facilities operate with 100% renewable electricity. A variety of emissions offsetting programs are also in place, including Cool Carpet, Trees for Travel, Cool Fuel, and Cool Co2mmute. Since 1996, costs avoided from waste elimination activities have totalled $299 million USD, and waste to landfill has been reduced by 65%.