Interface Modular Carpet selected for CH2 - The First Six Star Rated Building in the Southern Hemisphere

Interface modular carpet has been selected for the City of Melbourne’s CH2 building, the first building to receive a six star rating under the Green Building Council of Australia’s Green Star Rating Tool. Interface has long been recognised as one of the leaders in industrial ecology. Interface’s Cool Carpet™ 100% greenhouse gas offset program, GlasBac®RE sustainable carpet backing, OptimumRE™ recycled yarn and ReEntry™ carpet reclamation program provided ideal environmental credentials for involvement with the project.

The Australian green star rating system is very similar to others overseas, and hence CH2 is believed to be the greenest building in the world in its category. As a result, the building has won a United Nations Association of Australia World Environment Day Award for the design.

Even compared to a five star rated building, the environmental savings are significant. It is estimated electricity and gas usage and green house gas emission will be reduced by over 80% while mains water usage will be reduced by approximately 72% compared to five star buildings.

The interior fitout of the building has been chosen along the most environmentally sound principles and Interface modular carpet contributed significant points under the Green Star Rating Tool. The modular carpet will be a custom design featuring both OptimumRE™ recycled yarns and GlasBac®RE recycled vinyl backings, a total recycled content over 50%, providing the outstanding performance required in a commercial environment and meeting sustainability objectives. Interface is currently the only manufacturer in Australia offering recycled vinyl backings.

Interface Modular Carpet selected for CH2 -The First Six Star Rated Building in the Southern Hemisphere Page 2

Interface modular carpet’s Cool Carpet™ program completely offsets all green house gas emissions (GHG) through the purchase of emission reduction credits thus supporting projects that reduce GHG emissions. While Interface strives to reduce all greenhouse house gas emissions (with a 33% reduction in Australia over the last 10 years) the remaining emissions over the life of the carpet are calculated – raw material extraction, transportation, manufacture, cleaning and vacuuming and end-of-life – and completely offset. As a result, Interface Cool Carpet™ provides climate neutral floorcoverings.

Interface won the bid based on the organisation’s sustainability initiatives but also because it is an Australian made product. CH2 has been designed as an Australian cradle to cradle concept. The modular carpet in the building can also become part of Interface’s ReEntry™ program in which the product can be reclaimed and recycled, preventing landfill and creating a closed loop production process.