Carpet is the green way to go!

With the world focus on environmental issues now more than ever before, it is interesting to note that Van Dyck Carpets is amongst the most active and progressive companies that is addressing these issues.

Firstly Van Dyck Carpets has a Green Policy and Mission Statement that avows their commitment, together with its active membership of the Green Building Council of South Africa.

On the manufacturing side the company is making daily gains in waste minimalisation, energy reduction, the reduction of emissions, reduction in the use of hazardous materials, and the recycling of production waste and old carpets that would otherwise be committed to landfills.

Energy saving doesn’t just apply to the manufacturing process either, because the company believes in smart and efficient energy planning, which includes installing electricity sub-meters for each Department (production and non-production) to facilitate ongoing management of energy consumption – together with making the maximum use of natural lighting.

Recycling is an area watched closely by Van Dyck; all production rejects and short ends are converted into rugs or tiles for re-use and resale, and yarn creel ends are used for overlocking of rugs and samples.

Uplifted carpets are returned to the factory, cleaned and either re-used for rugs or donated to organisations or communities in need (broadloom and tiles).

Of course, nothing less is expected of most manufacturers these days, so in effect it all hangs on how these measures are turned into eco-friendly products and benefits to the end-user, and one of the general benefits of carpets is that it includes considerable energy savings thanks to their thermal properties.

In Van Dyck’s case, the majority of the yarns they use are either tested for harmful substances and awarded with ‘green’ certification, or use is made of yarns produced with a high percentage of post-industrial scrap.

Some of the carpet backings used are made of 100% post-consumer recycled polyester; metal-free and non-metallic dyes are used; and the sourcing of recycled materials is encouraged where possible instead of using virgin material.

The VOC (volatile organic compound) ratings of products are becoming increasingly under scrutiny,Van Dyck Carpets meet with the requirements of the Green Star Office, and all their carpets have a VOC emission rate below 0,20mg/m3/hr VOC levels, which means that no irritation or discomfort is expected.

Because of their anti-mould growth, rot-proof and anti-microbial treatments, Van Dyck Carpets have no microbial VOCs. Specifiers and installers should also check the underlays and adhesives used with the carpet installation in order to ensure that the VOC’s remain within the requirements. In this regard Van Dyck recommends the use of solvent-free adhesives or water-based adhesives with low VOC content and our Eco-lay underlays which are made from 100% post-consumer recycled rubber.

It is generally known that carpets are the lowest VOC emitter of common flooring choices, and also require fewer cleaning chemicals than other floorcoverings, as well as having the lowest chemical emissions compared with other common building products.

Van Dyck Carpets’ policy encourages sustainable development and eco-production to help improve energy, environmental, safety and health issues, and every member of the company will be trained in sustainability to ensure full awareness and compliance.