Tarkett teams up with Avery Automats to tackle LVT waste by repurposing it into automotive accessories, boosting recycling efforts and promoting a circular economy.
In a noteworthy development within the sustainability sector, global flooring manufacturer Tarkett is addressing the issue of luxury vinyl tile (LVT) waste through a partnership with automotive accessory maker Avery Automats. This collaboration aims to repurpose old LVT, which has continued to gain popularity in the flooring market over the past 15 years, into new car mats, providing an innovative solution to a growing environmental challenge.
Historically, installations of LVT have surged over the past decade and a half, growing from 10% to 40% of the resilient flooring market. As many of these installations reach the end of their life cycle, Tarkett has faced a substantial recycling dilemma. To tackle this challenge, the company has expanded its ReStart take-back program, which facilitates the collection and recycling of post-use LVT.
Rachel Palopoli, Tarkett North America’s director of circular economy, emphasized the importance of finding new uses for flooring materials, stating, “If we can’t find a home for old flooring material and turn it back into new flooring, we make sure that we find someone who can use it.” This initiative not only contributes to the creation of new automotive products but also aligns with Tarkett’s mission to promote a circular economy and mitigate the release of harmful chemicals into landfills.
Since 2022, the ReStart program has made significant strides in recycling efforts, with every pound of collected post-use LVT being transformed into automotive products at Avery Automats’ facility in Dalton, Georgia. The results have been substantial; in 2024 alone, the program successfully diverted 2.1 million pounds of flooring material from landfills.
Palopoli further stated, “We’ll keep looking for the next innovative step forward—because at Tarkett, Every Step Matters,” underscoring the company’s commitment to ongoing innovation in material reuse and sustainability.
Source: Noah Wire Services
