Interview

Flor
Direct Marketing Manager answered questions
Heather Arnett, FLOR Sales Associate Sr., forwarded questions to DMM

10/7/11 @ 9:50 AM Replied

How much do you sell yearly?

We are not at liberty to disclose company financial information.

Is it hard to maintain FLOR tiles?

No, FLOR carpet squares can be easily cleaned in the sink, air dried and placed back good as new.  For details on care and maintenance of FLOR, please visit (http://www.flor.com/maintenance ) 


How much on average does it cost for a tile?
FLOR products range from $8.99 per square to $40.00 per square. 


Are FLOR tiles healthier than regular carpet?
Unlike many other rugs or carpeting options, FLOR products are made with renewable and recycled content and most styles are recyclable through our Return & Recycle Program (http://www.flor.com/recycle ).  For more details on the philosophy behind the design of FLOR, visit (http://www.flor.com/design-philosophy ) and here for information on our sustainability efforts (http://www.flor.com/sustainability ) 


What are the tiles made of?The raw materials in FLOR varies by style, with 100% Nylon face fibers among the most common.  For details on specific styles, visit FLOR.com and click on the "Specifications" tab for materials and recycled content information. 


In the catalogue I saw that there is a photo of a woman and kid cleaning a tile in the sink....Is that possible?
Yes.  Most dirt and spills can be easily cleaned by rinsing in the sink with mild detergent and warm water.  Visit this page for helpful videos, one of which is how to clean/replace/refresh your FLOR design http://www.flor.com/flor-videos 

***One thing that aggravates me is that it may seem that I'm asking obvious questions that I could look up online, but I don't because who knows what is right online.  And by asking this questions I hope to spark the person I'm interviewing into adding additional information.  I just feel like since I'm a student they don't care, and at times it makes me feel like they think I'm incompetent.  I just want a spark a conversation, but I feel they are too busy and rush me off.

Bamboo Hardwoods

800-607-2414

10/7/11

Called and asked who I should talk to, and the man, Chris, told me to ask him the questions.  I felt he had no clue how to answer my questions.  I asked "Where you do get the bamboo?" and he replied, "from China."  Then I asked "Why don't you all grow it in the US?"  His response was well you should look it up online.  After that he told me to just go to the website. I felt like I was just thrown aside and he didn't have the time for me to brother him with questions.

I am getting very frustrated with having to deal with certain companies.  The positive experiences are running out.

Interview

Forbo
Betty, Technical Department
570-459-0771
10/6/11 @ 4:12 PM


*Reordered samples because never received them last month

With this phone call I got kicked around from department to department.  Went from Operator to Receptionist to Samples to finally Technical.

Do you make the tiles?  If not, where?

No, the tiles are made over seas in Europe, then shipped over to us.  Our main Forbo headquarters is in Europe.

What are the tiles made of?  Are they sustainable?

They are made from linoleum, which is made of natural materials.  This makes them sustainable.

Naturally floating floor means what?

Floating floor means that there is no glue used.  The flooring is placed over the previous flooring.  For the materials that require glue installation contains no VOCs.

Naturally bacteriostatic means?

Bacteriostatic means that the tiles materials are self sanitizing.  This means that they don't mold.

How do you clean them?

We recommend that customers use neutral pH cleaners, so they don't harm the tiles.

What is the expected life of the tiles?

The span depends on where the tiles are installed and how much traffic the area gets.  Usually it ranges between 20 to 30 years.

Are the tiles easily replaceable?

Yes, the tiles are easy to take out.

Can the tiles be recycled?

The factory that manufactures the tiles recycle tiles.  Here in North America we are trying to set up a recycling center for the tiles.  I have no details on this though.

Terra Green Ceramics

Teresa Smith, Office Manager

765-935-4760

10/6/11 @ 4:05 PM

How are the tiles made?

The ceramic tiles are manufactured here at our facilities.  We are located in Richmond, IN, and we operate from there.  The tiles are 55% recycled materials in the body.

Where is the recycled glass from that is used to create the tiles?

The glass is within the body of every tile.

What is the cost of the tiles?

The cost depends on the size and color of the tiles.  They can range from $2 - $13 a tile.

How long do they last?

Well I'm unsure, but here in the office we have had the same tiles since 1989.

Is there a sealant used on the tiles?

There is no sealant required, but the consumers are able to choose their own.

Are the tiles glued down?

We don't install, but the typical process is mortar.

Have ever thought of a program to recycle tiles?

We actually use the scraps in our parking lot, all over the Richmond area, and in the landscape.

Flor

* I am emailing my questions to Heather Arnett who will pass them around to the people that can answer them

Interview

Dr. Balk

859-257-4582

Materials Engineer Professor

9/22/11 @ 3:30 PM

What exactly do you study in materials engineering?

My research is concerned with the mechanical systems of metals.  Right now me and my students are looking into nano scale items.  Like making metals that consist of nanotechnology. 

What materials do you work with?

Basically, me and the other materials professors are researching area of interest along with our students.  Each professor can choose their own different material to study.  Also polymers is something that ties chemical and materials engineering together.  It's a common ground we share.

Have you ever worked with or looked at materials that are sustainable?  Recycled?

Material sustainability is a big topic today.  A material that we do use which is infinitely sustainable is steel.  When it comes to recycled materials, we don't use them.  We stick to just pure metals.

What technology and equipment does materials engineering have?

Each professor has their own lab to do their own study.  In these labs we make materials, look up close through microscopes, and test the material.  This testing involves the pushing of the extents of the material through stretching, pulling, and many more.  We have a small roller press that the students can use.

Do you work alongside any local companies?

I actually work with Semicon Associates.  They make a device, which is basically an electron gun that helps with communication.

Phone Interview

CBT Carpet Recycling
513-621-4800
513-379-2182 (cell)
Operations Manager
9/17/11 @ 9:06 AM
Johnny Grubenhoff

Is CBT Recycling tied into the Carpet America Recovery Effect?

No.  They require a membership fee to be a part of, but we do attend the meetings.

So what types of carpets do you accept?

We take Nylon 6, Nylon 66, and Polypropylene.  PET carpet is the type we don't take, but we take that to nearby plants for fuel.

What qualities do you consider when you mean "prequalifying"?

We need to update our website because we can take all carpet types now.  We just take the PET carpet elsewhere to the waste-energy plant.

What is the best carpet material to be used for recycling?

Nylon 6 is the type of carpet that is sold the most, so we are better prepared to take that.  But overall any type is good because we can take all types.

What do you all do with the carpet?

We group the carpet together based on what material it is.  We have trailers located at local carpet stores that they can place the old carpet in and we take it away.  After sorting the carpet, we bail it and then ship it off to be recycled.

How much does it cost to recycle the carpet?

Well, first there is the cost of the trailer.  But from there the carpet prices range depending on the carpet material.

Where do you ship the carpet off to once you have it bailed?

It goes to Georgia to Shaw at Columbia Recycling.  

Do you ship it down or do they come get it?

They come to pick up the carpet whenever they are making delivers up north.  So they swing by and get the old carpet on the way back to Georgia.

Do they pay you for the carpet?

Yes, they pay us for our carpet.

Are there any toxins that harm your workers when working around the carpet?

No.  We do air tests, and the last one came out fine.

I plan to look into contacting Columbia Recycling.
 706-278-4701

Email Interview

Due to the fast pace lifestyle of the world, and me being in grad school and working 20 hours a week I find my free time very little.  This is also true for companies.  So instead I had to go to emailing, so that way the person I was asking the questions to would be able to answer them whenever possible.

Kevin's Carpet
859-381-1802
Email sent: 9/6/11 @ 2:02 PM
Replied: 9/9/11 @ 11:39 AM
Kevin Holleran, Owner

How long have you been in the carpet business?

I have been in the flooring business for about 13 years.

What is the main selling element for people when they are buying carpet? Cost? Colors available? etc

Most people know little or nothing about flooring because it is something they only purchase once or twice a lifetime. The most important element in a carpet purchase should be the fiber the carpet is made with.  The area and use should be considered as different fibers have characteristics and performance strengths and weaknesses.  The next element should be style, then cost, and lastly color.

Do you sell and advertise eco-friendly carpet?  If so which ones? And what materials are they made from?

We sell and advertise many lines of carpet that are eco-friendly.  Mohawk makes much of their polyester fiber out of recycle soda bottles.  Most nylon fibers can be recycled and made into carpet again.  Mohawks Smartstrand fiber is made with corn.

Could you tell me more about Dupont Sorona Bio-PHO?  How popular is this?

The Dupont Sorona fiber is gaining popularity very fast.  It is the only fiber that is inherently stain resistant and very durable in high traffic areas.

Where are your carpets made?  Locally? What about the eco-friendly carpet?

A large portion of all the carpet made in the world is made in Dalton, Georgia.  Dalton is home to the three largest carpet producers and many smaller mills.

Do you install the carpet? If so, do people ever call you up to dispose of their old carpet?  If so, what do you do with the old carpet? Recycle? Landfill?

We install all the products we sell.  All of the rebound cushion is picked up by a company that sells it to a recycler.  Unfortunately all the old carpet is sent to the landfill.  Although most could be recycled, there are currently no logistic line to get it back to the manufacturer.

Would I be able to get carpet samples?

Samples have been increasingly hard to come by.  We don't even let our customers take them.  The salespeople take them to the customer and bring them back.

Phone Interviews

Eco-$mart

888-329-2705

Customer Service

9/6/11 @ 10:16 am

Matt Ross

How are the carpets made?

By machine from materials obtained around the world.  The Recycled PET Carpet is made like typical nylon carpet from anywhere else.

Where do you get the materials from?

Sea Grass and Wool come from various areas, but mainly New Zealand.  The Recycled PET Carpet gets it's products from GA and is also made there.  The PET Carpet is sold basically everywhere carpet is sold, you just have to ask for it.  The other materials are shipped in from over seas.

Do you ship out of state?

Yes, we do.  We pass a lot of our products off to other companies.

How much does it cost for the various carpets?

PET is about $1.50 to $2.50 a square foot.  Bio-floor and Wool is $4 to $5 a square foot.  Sea Grass is $2.50 to $3 a square foot.

How much do you sell of the carpets yearly?

Little carpet is sold because the main focus of Eco-$mart is commerical lighting, solar water heating, bamboo cabinets, and more.

Which carpet type sells best?

That would be the PET Carpet because of the cost.  It's the cheapest of the materials.

Are there any negatives to the carpet?

Yes, carpet doesn't help with the indoor air quality, and that is why we try to recommend customers to buy the hard surfaces for their flooring needs.

Would I be able to get some samples?

No, because we sell so little of the products that we only produce them when needed.  Go and look at local carpet places to get PET and Wool carpet samples.

Infiltrator Systems

859-556-0786

9/6/11 @ 10:26 am

Ron Brochu, Vice President of Manufacturing

What does Infiltrator Systems do?

Infiltrator Systems is a company that manufactures drainage chambers for septic and storm water management.

Can residents drop off their carpet for you to use?

We actually only take carpet from consolidators around the US.  These consolidators include companies that take carpet away from the customers and gives it to Infiltrator Systems.  And alot of the time we get carpets from manufacturers like Mohawk.  The carpet we use is ones with polypropylene fibers.

How much do you pay for the old carpet?

We pay just a little bit, maybe 5 to 10 cents a pound.

What do you do with the recycled carpet? 

We use the carpet as a whole.  We don't take it apart into the individual pieces, instead we grind it all up and melt it down in pelts that can used as additives in the chambers we manufacturer.  It's only used as an additive because the melted down carpet isn't strong enough by itself.

Would I be able to get some samples of the pelts?

Yes, email me and I can get you some information and get you a 2 pound bag of pelts for samples.

Additional Information:

Champion Polymer Recycling

Infiltrator Systems is the parent company to Champion Polymer Recycling.  They buy 150 tons of plastic resin everyday to supply to Infiltrator Systems.  Champion used polyprolene (carpet), polyethylene, and other materials from industries like automotive (structural foam crates, thermoform materials, car interiors, material handling systems/containers, plastic pallets, and TPO-painted and unpainted), building materials, beverage and bottling (bread trays/bun racks, dairy crates, and plastic cartons), food processing (chicken coops and plastic used in meat and poultry processing), grocery/bakery (bread trays/bun racks, dairy crates, and plastic cartons), and distribution centers (collapsible totes and large plastic containers).