Transcript Slide 1

CLOSING THE LOOP
– Innovation for Product
Stewardship at InterfaceNZ
Lin Roberts & Richard MorleyHall
• Interface Inc. - world’s largest manufacturer of
modular carpet, a billion dollar company with
production on four continents.
• InterfaceNZ, a small NZ owned co, represents
Interface in NZ
• From the moment Ray Anderson experienced
his “spear in the chest” in 1994, Interface has
taken a far-sighted strategic approach to
becoming a sustainable company
• First company in US to use The Natural Step
Framework
Strategic planning using
The Natural Step Framework
A
Awareness and understanding
- what is sustainability, why is it important, why do we
need to change?
B
Baseline – how unsustainable are we now?
C
Compelling vision / creative solutions
- what will we look like when we are truly sustainable?
D
Down to action
Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step
Backcasting from a vision of success
A
C
Vision of a
desired future
D
B
Copyright © 2007 The Natural Step
Fitting within the
conditions for
sustainability
Interface Vision
“To be the first company that, by its deeds, shows the entire
industrial world what sustainability is in all its dimensions:
People, process, product, place and profits — by 2020 — and in
doing so we will become restorative through the power of
influence.”
Mission Zero:
our promise to eliminate any
negative impact our company
may have on the environment
by the year 2020.
Interface – Commitments
Source: http://www.interfacesustainability.com
1. Eliminate Waste: Eliminate all forms of waste in
every area of business;
2. Benign Emissions: Eliminate toxic substances
from products, vehicles & facilities;
3. Renewable Energy: Operate facilities with
renewable energy sources – solar, wind, landfill
gas, biomass and low impact hydroelectric;
4. Close the Loop: Redesign processes & products
to close the technical loop using recovered &
bio-based materials;
5. Resource-Efficient Transportation: Transport
people and products efficiently to reduce waste
& emissions;
6. Sensitising Stakeholders: Create a culture that
integrates sustainability principles & improves
people’s lives & livelihoods;
7. Redesign Commerce: Create a new business
model that demonstrates & supports the value
of sustainability-based commerce (eg Evergreen
Lease)
InterfaceNZ
Strategic Goals
Providing
sustainable
design-led
flooring solutions
By 2020:
• All products either 100% closed loop
recycled or 100% biodegradable
• Zero ecological footprint
• Zero waste
• Using most efficient transport available
• Recognised as leader in sustainable
design
• Assisting others in the journey to
sustainability
• Highly empowered & rewarded staff &
stakeholders
• Financially sound
In its 15 years climbing
“Mt Sustainability”, Interface globally has…
•
•
•
•
•
Cut greenhouse gas emissions by 82%
Cut fossil fuel consumption by 60%
Cut waste by 66%, saving $400 million
Cut water use by 75%
Invented & patented new machines, materials, &
manufacturing processes
• Increased sales by 66%, doubled earnings, and
raised profit margins
Interface strategy in action
Closed Loop ManufacturingRenewable
Energy
Zero
Emissions
i - design
Climate Neutral
CO2
Bio-mimicry – Random design
= Low Installation wastage
Copyright © Interface NZ
Product Stewardship
100% take back in NZ
Hybrid Cars
Developing a carpet tile take-back
system in New Zealand
1.
understanding current practice – how & why
2.
developing options to shift the balance of practice
towards stacking and return of tiles;
3.
developing standard processes for handling returning
tiles;
4.
ensuring all sales staff understand & are motivated to
achieve the objective;
5.
ensuring potential users know about InterfaceNZ’s
take-back system;
6.
Monitor & improve
• Current practice - toss in skip --- landfill
• But… customers taking more interest
• We pay all freight costs if you stack & get to our
depot
• Where landfills prices aren’t puny, this is cheaper
than landfill
• Sustainability is a core part of InterfaceNZ’s
ethos & brand differentiation – all staff involved &
bonus incentive
• Hard to know what proportion are being uplifted –
any ideas?
Extending the system
• Taking competitors products
• Reuse is even better than recycling
– 15 year warranty – still plenty of life left
in them if cleaned
• Graphlar backing – any ideas?
• Considering certification under
Waste Min Act 2008