Sustainability has become a bit of a buzzword across a lot of industries. In some ways, it's even become the next 'trend' to jump on.

But here's the thing: Waste is a serious problem in the flooring industry.

And, if we're going to tackle it head on, sustainability requires far more than talk and lip service, and we’re thrilled to be taking the jump towards meaningful change.

Over 60,000 tonnes of resilient flooring waste enters our landfills each year. And, if you want to factor in other types of flooring, that number would make your head spin faster than a drill bit.

Getting serious about embracing sustainability in flooring demands real leadership, bold innovation, and progressive outcomes.

If we can redefine our approach - from the materials we choose, the processes we adopt, and the waste we create, I'm ambitious that we can 'close the loop' and make sustainability in flooring the norm.

Here are a few non-negotiables that form part of our install projects:

Choose materials that stand the test of time

The foundation of sustainability lies in the materials we choose.

Opting for recyclable and responsibly sourced options is a great start. It means that your floors not only strike the balance of beauty and function, but contribute to a greener future too.

Take modular carpet tiles, for example. They’re like the Swiss Army knife of flooring: if one bit gets damaged, you swap it out without having to replace an entire floor.

The same can be said with other flooring materials, such as vinyl planks. Durable, flexible, and they won’t give you a headache.

Products like these allow us to strike the balance between durability with flexibility, enabling targeted fixes without the waste of a full replacement.

Durability and sustainability can co-exist.

Promoting a circular economy

In my role as a member of ResiLoop's advisory panel, we're putting in a significant effort into the research and development of how we can recover, recycle, and reuse flooring waste.

While resilient flooring products such as vinyl and rubber are great products built for durability, they also take decades to break down, and often release harmful substances during decomposition.

As a collective, our goal is to recycle 30 tonnes of flooring each month, repurposing it into products such as garden edging. We're hell-bent on giving waste a second chance.

As we grow our supplier base, expand our collection points and continue to think-tank ways to repurpose collected waste, I'm confident that we can see far less flooring waste heading to our landfills.

Planning ahead to minimise offcuts and waste

Sustainability starts before the first cut is made.

The very nature of floor installs means that inevitably, there will be offcuts. But by meticulously planning material measurements and layouts, a lot of this waste can be minimised.

Across my projects, we utilise advanced planning tools to ensure every square metre of flooring earns its keep.

It's simple: less waste and a cost effective solution for our clients. Win-win.

Adopting practices like optimised cutting patterns and pre-measured templates helps us make the most of each material roll or panel.

At Premrest, we don’t just install floors; we craft solutions that align with our clients’ values and environmental goals.

Closing the loop on flooring sustainability isn’t about doing what’s easy, it’s about doing what’s right. By rethinking materials, embracing circular practices, and reducing waste at every stage, we're crafting floors that are as functional and elegant as they are kind to the planet.

Let's chat about how we can create beautiful flooring that lays the foundation for a sustainable future.

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