According to the Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage, “construction and industrial waste make up about 85% of what is sent to landfill every year” in Auckland.

Flooring waste contributes to this enormous problem and in an effort to divert material from landfill Jacobsen has launched Re.Form, a pilot Product Stewardship programme that utilises the principles of the waste hierarchy, putting emphasis on the re-use of flooring before considering recycling, and with disposal or landfill as a last resort.

Re.Form recognised by the Sustainable Business Network

To put this pilot programme into place has required collaboration with suppliers, Auckland-based contracting customers, and Habitat for Humanity. The initial success of Re.Form has resulted in the programme being named a finalist in this year’s Sustainable Business Awards in the ‘Outstanding Collaboration’ category. It has also enabled Jacobsen to extend the programme nationwide.

“Creating positive impact and understanding the environmental burden of doing business is a core value for Jacobsen”, said Renee Woolcott, Impact and Innovation Officer of Jacobsen Holdings. “We think it’s important for suppliers in New Zealand to take responsibility and provide meaningful and accessible product stewardship programmes, to protect the environment for current and future generations.”

Reducing landfill and supporting the community

A partnership with Habitat for Humanity provides the opportunity to positively impact the community and environment by enabling re-use by uplifting second-hand Shaw and Desso carpet tiles and selling them through their ReStores.

Conrad LaPointe, CEO Northern Region of Habitat for Humanity said, "We are excited to be able to provide an avenue for re-use of carpet tiles and be a part of reducing construction waste to landfill. All proceeds from the sale of these items will go towards our work in supporting kiwi families in housing need."

Recycling at the factory

Jacobsen has worked with Tarkett, manufacturers of Tarkett vinyl and Desso carpet tiles, and Shaw Contract, to extend recycling operations at their factories to the New Zealand market. Based on the Cradle-to-Cradle principles, this sees installation off-cuts for vinyl, carpet tiles, and post-consumer carpet tiles that can’t be re-used, being sent back to the factory to be recycled and introduced back into the manufacturing process as raw materials.

In addition, Jacobsen has worked with Regupol to implement a world-first recycling programme for rubber installation off-cuts. These will also be sent back to the factory to be recycled and introduced back into the manufacturing process.

“We are proud to work with suppliers who carry our values and understand the contribution we can all make to preventing unnecessary waste,” said Woolcott.

Creating positive impact

Re.Form is part of the ongoing commitment by Jacobsen to the environment and socially responsible flooring systems. For more information on this programme and other initiatives visit www.jacobsen.co.nz