In the fight against climate change, it is vital that every organisation does what it can to reduce its carbon footprint and find solutions that support our planet and communities. Milliken’s N/XT Life Circularity Programme includes carpet re-use initiatives where installed carpet tiles are recovered, renewed and re-installed in social housing and other community settings. This case study features some N/XT Life projects, in partnership with carpet re-use specialists Uplyfted, where ultra-low-carbon flooring has improved living conditions for people in social housing.
The projects illustrated in this case study take products from two of Milliken’s carpet collections, Comfortable Concrete Retold and Tracing Landscapes. The tiles were recovered from office installations at two large financial institutions.
Both collections are manufactured using recycled materials. Econyl® 100% regenerated nylon and WellBAC® 90% recycled polyurethane cushion backing are incorporated into both Tracing Landscapes and Comfortable Concrete Retold. The cushion backing not only provides additional comfort and acoustic performance but also extends the products lifespan. WellBAC® Cushion works by absorbing the impact of footfall, improving appearance retention and durability making carpet tiles ideal for re-use.
For their second life, Milliken co-ordinated the recovery and transport of the modular carpet to Uplyfted’s Wirral facility. The carpet tiles were removed, correctly palletised and shrink wrapped by flooring contractor CVT to ensure they were dry and undamaged for optimum re-use.
Uplyfted specialise in renewing modular carpet for the UK social housing sector, for maximum social value. Following a rigorous 5-step renewal process, Uplyfted’s team expertly sorts, cleans and rejuvenates recovered carpet tiles. Uplyfted then plays a vital role in supplying and installing renewed carpet directly where it is needed in social housing and other community spaces.
Many social housing premises are provided without carpet installed where occupants are left to live with cold, harsh bare floors, often for years. For residents, especially those in a vulnerable condition, carpet can offer some important life-enhancing benefits.
COMFORT – a soft, more comfortable feel underfoot, particularly important for young children and the elderly who are more prone to falling.
WARMTH – an insulating layer against a hard and often rough sub-floor that can make vital energy savings for those experiencing fuel poverty.
CALM – acoustic comfort that keeps rooms quieter by reducing noise transmission.
HEALTH – improved indoor air quality and psychological well-being that helps create a sense of home.
The renewed carpet tiles were installed into multiple homes. Both carpet products’ robust quality and, tonal design has created a soft, neutral floor covering for a more comfortable and healthier living environment for several families.
STEP 1 : Contact your Milliken Representative or email n/xtlifeeurope@milliken.com with your requested Take-Back project details including location, quantity and backing type (PVC tiles cannot be considered).
STEP 2 : Milliken will provide a quotation, arrange transport and provide guidance on palletising for maximum re-use.
STEP 3 : Once received and renewed by Uplyfted, Milliken will provide a Certificate of Take-Back after the product finds its way into re-use.
STEP 4 : Any products that cannot be re-used in the social sector are converted into other products. Where this is not possible a final option for landfill avoidance is recovery as waste to energy.
Through our N/XT Life Programme, Milliken is taking actionable steps to advance the circular economy and mitigate climate change. With longevity, transparency and circularity key to its success, we are committed to helping our clients reach their carbon goals and building certifications by eliminating waste and reducing carbon emissions. In addition to our partnership with Uplyfted, Milliken’s N/XT Life Circularity Programme offers clients three other easy routes to carpet re-use:
PURCHASE FROM RE-USE INVENTORY – upcycled Milliken carpet tiles with ultra-low embodied carbon can be purchased through Orak, our Paris-based carpet Re-Use partner.
RE-USE FROM YOUR EXISTING OFFICE – following a viability assessment by one of our flooring contractor partners, installed carpet tiles can be cleaned, uplifted and re-installed in another area of your project alongside a new Milliken carpet installation.
DONATIONS TO THE SALVATION ARMY – your used carpet tiles can support a social enterprise initiative by donating directly via The Salvation Army’s national depot network.
Full traceability is in place to help your organisation meet its carbon and ESG goals through all of these carpet re-use initiatives. Contact your Milliken Customer Services or Sales Representative for further details.