Welcome to August! And boy what an August it’s been already. We’ve watched as the Olympics held center stage across the world, enjoyed our local state fairs, and now it’s either that dreaded or celebrated pumpkin spice season… Back to School Time!
All joking aside, we’ve decided to take a little nudge from the education side and highlight just some of the ways companies in our Interior Design Community are taking steps to help the environment through their various sustainability programs. More and more we are seeing sustainability practices become a greater concern worldwide. Even while watching the Paris Olympics coverage we saw sustainability at work.
In March ThinkLab U.S. Design Industry Benchmark Report for 2024 came out. In Erica Waayenberg’s article “The Evolving Landscape of Interior Design” she details that their report showed a notable trend within the design community of the increased demand for sustainably and ethically made products, reflecting a broader shift towards sustainable design practices, highlighting the growing influence of interior designers and the increasing demand for healthy spaces and sustainable products.
Flooring Manufacturers
“Sustainability is in our DNA
From making our products to building customer relationships, how we work is driven by our mission to help restore the health of the planet. The journey to more sustainable business practices is ongoing, as is our commitment to running our business in a way that creates a climate fit for life.” Interface
“Sustainability Matters.
We are committed to doing the right thing.
For more than 35 years, Mannington has worked to make a positive impact on the environment and our communities. We’re opening doors to new opportunities in sustainable design and construction, helping our customers achieve their sustainability goals and ensuring a legacy of craftsmanship that future generations can embrace.”
“Mohawk Group balances all water on its LPC petal certified carpet tiles by 105% for a net-positive impact on our waterways. We do this because being better for the planet is about a holistic plan and an understanding that river health is human health. That’s why, through The Waterways Project, we hope you will join us on a journey through new products, technologies, and initiatives to help us better understand and give back to the living rivers that sustain us all.”
“Climate change is one of the greatest threats facing humanity. At Milliken Floor Covering, we’re committed to finding ways to make a difference. We invite you to learn more about the significant changes we’ve made, then let’s work together for a better tomorrow.
Fabric Manufacturers
Mayer Fabric’s SEAQUAL INITIATIVE is a unique collaborative community that works with ocean clean-up programs around the world to transform the marine litter they recover into SEAQUAL® MARINE PLASTIC; a new, fully traceable raw material with the power to raise awareness of the issue of marine pollution and highlight those helping to fight it. In choosing products containing SEAQUAL® MARINE PLASTIC, you are helping to clean our oceans.
The SEAQUAL Collection, is a range of textile solutions inspired by the SEAQUAL INITIATIVE. The collection features six patterns, including four upholsteries (Denali, Leoni, Caspian, and Mira) and two privacy curtains (Serene and Tranquility).
“We have established a tradition of pioneering firsts, including the development of our proprietary Xorel® Brand textiles, which provide a durable alternative to PVC materials, as well as Biobased Xorel®, the first plant-based, high-performance textile in the world.” Carnegie Fabrics
“Making our mark by not leaving one. With a strong dedication to eco-friendly upholstery fabric and wallcovering solutions, we innovate continuously to lessen our environmental footprint from our buildings to our packaged shipments. By focusing on sustainable commercial upholstery textile, wallcoverings, and even sustainable acoustic panels–and partnering with other sustainable textile companies–we ensure that our products, operations, and community engagements reflect our dedication to sustainable measures, one cut and material at a time.” Momentum Textiles and Wallcoverings
Furniture Manufacturers
“For nearly 150 years we’ve worked hard to create and preserve the legacy that is Jasper Group for the next generation. We plan to leave this world a little better than we found it.” JSI Furniture
Global Furniture Group’s Collaborative Spaces snagged a Best of NeoCon 2024 Sustainability Award in the Collections for Collaboration furniture category.
Designed with sustainability at its core, Collaborative Spaces excels beyond the workplace. The series’ robust 100% recyclable aluminum framework supports demanding environments in education, including high-traffic makerspaces and incubators.
“Mantra Inspired Furniture is driven by a simple code to propel the design community’s imagination through the creation of sustainable, American made, investment grade furniture. Our designs aim to inspire the user through functional style and modern sensibilities with a commitment as solid as the wood used in every piece we create.”
Other Design Industry Manufacturers
“Kirei prioritizes sustainable design practices in our materials and our process. From tiles made of plastic bottles to baffles filled with Nike Grind, being “green” is a key quality of all our products.”
“At Wilsonart, our products are inspired by natural beauty, and we are inspired by preserving the greatness of nature itself. It is in our company’s DNA to maximize possibilities as we minimize waste — engineering ever-smarter surfaces that leave an ever-shrinking impact. We’re driven by our sustainability pillars, affecting what we make, how we make it, and our organizational purpose.”
Even as consumers we can make an impact in our own homes and lives by the products we purchase and the manufactures we support. From the appliances, and paints, to the lighting, and other construction products, here is a listing of the 2024 Green Builder Sustainable Products of the Year.
Last but certainly not least is an event that happens every year here in our own backyard. It’s the ZeroLandfil Indy! “Diverting expired samples from architects + interior designers from the waste stream. 1,000,000 lbs. since 2006 have been repurposed by educators. “ It’s an event that can’t be missed! Follow them on Facebook for all the details on how you can volunteer and donate to this amazing event.
So as you can see, whether you are specifying for a client, purchasing as a consumer or volunteering in your community, there are so many ways to support our environment so that it will be around for future generations to cherish. Dream big, start small, we can all make a difference!
