Recofloor sets new vinyl flooring collection record

2 Feb 2016 | by MHW Magazine Team |

In 2015, Recofloor, founded by leading flooring manufacturers Altro and Polyflor to divert vinyl flooring from landfill, collected 508 tonnes of material for recycling into flooring or other products.

It’s a new annual collection record for the national vinyl flooring recycling scheme, which has 650-plus members throughout the UK and Ireland. Recycling, versus landfilling, waste vinyl flooring can reduce collectors’ waste disposal costs by up to 70% and also benefits the environment.

Recofloor’s success in engaging with all levels of the flooring chain continues to drive the scheme and it has built up a strong relationship with distributors who contributed 213 tonnes (42%) to last year’s total. Contractors performed robustly with nearly 178 tonnes (35%), while construction projects generated just over 28 tonnes.

Communicating how the scheme works through a number of trade and Bacon Butty events at distributors’ sites has been a key factor in encouraging greater participation, according to Recofloor’s Carla Eslava. Activities included a communication campaign with distributors to encourage the use of drop-off sites.

Collections were also boosted by the Love2shop Promotion in August when all members who raised a collection of smooth offcuts, safety off-cuts or smooth uplifted vinyl during that month were entered into a free prize draw to win £100 in shopping vouchers.

Commenting on the 2015 figure, Carla says: “Once again, we have exceeded 500 tonnes in a single year and we commend our members for this tremendous achievement, which we’ll be celebrating at our forthcoming Recofloor Annual Awards event on March 3rd.”

Flooring contractors, distributors and construction companies can book free tickets to attend Recofloor’s fifth annual awards event, which will be held at Old Trafford, the Home of Manchester United. Guests can enjoy a hot buffet lunch and book a complimentary tour around the football ground.

Host Matt Le Tissier, the former Southampton and England footballer who is now the star of Sky Sports’ ‘Gillette Soccer Saturday’ and a columnist for skysports.com, will kick off proceedings with anecdotes from his sporting career before introducing key speakers from the flooring industry.

Speakers include Richard Catt from the Contract Flooring Association who will update Recofloor members on CFA activity and Ian James, President of the National Institute of Carpet and Floorlayers who is also an instructor with the Floor Industry Training Association. Anthony Francis, Director of Mayfield Floors, will also be offering an insight into the benefits of using Recofloor for contractors.

Matt will present trophies and certificates to Recofloor members who have excelled across eight award categories and contributed to increasing volumes of vinyl flooring waste being diverted from landfill - more than 2,700 tonnes to date. Recofloor was founded in 2009.

Carla adds: “The day offers a great opportunity to find out how Recofloor can benefit your company, share expert knowledge and network with fellow flooring industry professionals. The Annual Awards is a highlight in Recofloor’s calendar and we very much look forward to celebrating our achievements with both existing and new members in March.”

Members can register for the event via this link: http://www.recofloor.org/recofloor-awards/

More information on Recofloor can be found on www.recofloor.org. Contact 0161 355 7618 or email info@recofloor.org.