The United States Green Building Council’s eighth annual GreenBuild Environmental Show was recently held in Phoenix, Arizona and once again convention-goers streamed into the vast tradeshow floor from all across the country. More than 1,800 exhibitors were on hand to display their wares including the CRI which joined hands with the Carpet America Recovery Effort to hawk our messages to as many of the 24,000-plus attendees of the show we could reach.
Former Vice-President Al Gore and singer Sheryl Crowe were both a part of the mix for the large show and it is obvious that the so-called “green movement” is alive and well. The value of green building construction is projected to increase to $60 billion by 2010 and by the end of this year, 82% of corporate America is expected to be greening at least 16% of their real estate portfolios; of these corporations, 18% will be greening more than 60% of their real estate portfolios. What does this translate to? The green building products market is projected to be worth $30-$40 billion annually by 2010.
The best news in all of this is the fact the carpet industry is, and continues to be, one of, if not the, greenest of its kind. Almost all of our member companies were on hand for the show delivering their individual green messages to the crowd, and CRI/CARE was there to emphasize what we do for the industry collectively.
For this particular blog post, I thought it might be nice to let you hear from those who attended the show and gather their thoughts on it. From my own personal perspective, I’m not really sure how much actual business is done at this show, but I do know it goes a long way in helping companies brand their products with the ever-expanding crowd and as the future continues to move towards this axiom, be assured the carpet industry will continue to have a major impact on it.
Jeff Carrier, CRI Sustainability Manager
The crowd at Greenbuild really served to remind that environmental and sustainability issues have weathered the economic storm and continue to present an opportunity for builders and commerce. It was really impressive to see the number of smaller businesses that have joined the movement. As these smaller businesses expand, the availability of green oriented products and services will increase in availability to all corners of the nation. Simultaneously, the costs that have long plagued the green products sector will continue to fall. This will remove a major, outdated stigma attached to green building and products.
Jeremy Stroop, Operations Manager for CARE:
For CARE, the greatest advantage of attending Greenbuild is the ability it affords us to connect with a global audience of manufacturers, recyclers, architects, designers and specifiers. CARE continues to seek out additional outlets for post-consumer carpet and Greenbuild provided the perfect platform for CARE to reach the most appropriate manufacturing base – the Green builders and manufacturers most receptive to using an alternative sustainable feedstock from recovered post-consumer carpet.
Former Vice-President Al Gore and singer Sheryl Crowe were both a part of the mix for the large show and it is obvious that the so-called “green movement” is alive and well. The value of green building construction is projected to increase to $60 billion by 2010 and by the end of this year, 82% of corporate America is expected to be greening at least 16% of their real estate portfolios; of these corporations, 18% will be greening more than 60% of their real estate portfolios. What does this translate to? The green building products market is projected to be worth $30-$40 billion annually by 2010.
The best news in all of this is the fact the carpet industry is, and continues to be, one of, if not the, greenest of its kind. Almost all of our member companies were on hand for the show delivering their individual green messages to the crowd, and CRI/CARE was there to emphasize what we do for the industry collectively.
For this particular blog post, I thought it might be nice to let you hear from those who attended the show and gather their thoughts on it. From my own personal perspective, I’m not really sure how much actual business is done at this show, but I do know it goes a long way in helping companies brand their products with the ever-expanding crowd and as the future continues to move towards this axiom, be assured the carpet industry will continue to have a major impact on it.
Jeff Carrier, CRI Sustainability Manager
The crowd at Greenbuild really served to remind that environmental and sustainability issues have weathered the economic storm and continue to present an opportunity for builders and commerce. It was really impressive to see the number of smaller businesses that have joined the movement. As these smaller businesses expand, the availability of green oriented products and services will increase in availability to all corners of the nation. Simultaneously, the costs that have long plagued the green products sector will continue to fall. This will remove a major, outdated stigma attached to green building and products.
Jeremy Stroop, Operations Manager for CARE:
For CARE, the greatest advantage of attending Greenbuild is the ability it affords us to connect with a global audience of manufacturers, recyclers, architects, designers and specifiers. CARE continues to seek out additional outlets for post-consumer carpet and Greenbuild provided the perfect platform for CARE to reach the most appropriate manufacturing base – the Green builders and manufacturers most receptive to using an alternative sustainable feedstock from recovered post-consumer carpet.
Besides the networking opportunities, Georgina Sikorski, Frank Hurd and I got to talk to a significant number of architects, designers and specifiers on how to incorporate carpet reclamation into their projects. As always, we encouraged everyone to procure and use building materials that contain post-consumer carpet materials and to specify carpets that contain post-consumer carpet content or are certified to the NSF 140 Sustainability Standard at the Platinum level. At the Platinum level, the NSF 140 Standard requires carpet reclamation according to CARE’s guidelines.
Many of the folks I talked to at Greenbuild were interested in proper carpet cleaning and maintenance as a way to protect and expand the life of their floor covering investment and safeguard the environment by preventing carpet from being replace prematurely and ending up in a landfill ahead of its time. Consequently, we talked a lot about CRI’s Seal of Approval (SOA) and how preserving customers’ investments in their carpet through proper care represents a winning situation for everyone – customers, CARE, and the environment.
Frank Hurd, CRI VP and CARE Board Chair:
From what I saw at Greenbuild, I can say that Sustainability is alive and going great guns. And it’s interesting to note that in this economy, Greenbuild is the only conference/tradeshow I know of that continues to grow. This year saw the largest number of attendees in the history of the show.
Many of the folks I talked to at Greenbuild were interested in proper carpet cleaning and maintenance as a way to protect and expand the life of their floor covering investment and safeguard the environment by preventing carpet from being replace prematurely and ending up in a landfill ahead of its time. Consequently, we talked a lot about CRI’s Seal of Approval (SOA) and how preserving customers’ investments in their carpet through proper care represents a winning situation for everyone – customers, CARE, and the environment.
Frank Hurd, CRI VP and CARE Board Chair:
From what I saw at Greenbuild, I can say that Sustainability is alive and going great guns. And it’s interesting to note that in this economy, Greenbuild is the only conference/tradeshow I know of that continues to grow. This year saw the largest number of attendees in the history of the show.
Clearly, the USGBC and its programs are driving companies of all types to be more sustainable in their products and services, and I am proud to say that once again, the carpet industry demonstrated its environmental leadership through CARE and the availability of innovative products carrying the ANSI/NSF 140 certification for sustainability. Several carpet mills donated carbon credits to make Greenbuild carbon-neutral, and some donated and then recycled the carpet for the trade show floor. As we all know, carpet just feels better and is much easier on the backs and feet of folks who spend all day on their feet at a tradeshow.
Another significant event was LA Fibers launch of its Reliance Stainmaster EcoSoft 100% post-consumer Nylon 6,6 carpet cushion. Hopefully this will lead to even more post-consumer carpet being recycled.
I’d say Greenbuild was a great show overall.
Georgina Sikorski, Executive Director, Carpet America Recovery Effort
As always, Greenbuild is a great opportunity to reconnect with those in the industry who are on the journey to sustainability.
I think the most memorable part for me was the successful launch of EcoSoft™, the 100% recycled content carpet cushion which came about as a partnership between Reliance Carpet Cushion and Stainmaster®. With the power of the Stainmaster® brand behind this product, the post-consumer carpet cushion delivers on the promise of performance and environmental sustainability. It is a win-win solution to the issue of keeping carpet from the landfill and CARE is proud to be a part of this solution.
I’d say Greenbuild was a great show overall.
Georgina Sikorski, Executive Director, Carpet America Recovery Effort
As always, Greenbuild is a great opportunity to reconnect with those in the industry who are on the journey to sustainability.
I think the most memorable part for me was the successful launch of EcoSoft™, the 100% recycled content carpet cushion which came about as a partnership between Reliance Carpet Cushion and Stainmaster®. With the power of the Stainmaster® brand behind this product, the post-consumer carpet cushion delivers on the promise of performance and environmental sustainability. It is a win-win solution to the issue of keeping carpet from the landfill and CARE is proud to be a part of this solution.
What are your thoughts on GreenBuild?
~James
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