Reduce, reuse, recycle and sustainability are no longer buzzwords. They are our current needs and the key to a better future. A company is trying to make sure that we live in a cleaner world by recycling plastic and using it to make carpets. SHALINI SAKSENA brings you a report

A few weeks ago, a shocking study came to light. Plastic waste from COVID-19 weighs 25,900 tons, which is equivalent to more than 2,000 double-decker buses, and has leaked into the ocean. But to make matters worse, it did not end here. At COP26, six facts that link the life cycle of plastics to climate change must be considered. The most straightforward is that South Asia is one of the largest plastic waste producers; more than 26 million tons of plastic are discarded every day in this area!

This means that immediate action is required, and reduction, reuse and recycling are the only way out. Therefore, under the current circumstances, the success of any enterprise depends on its sustainable development factors. In other words, saving resources and protecting the environment is the need of the times. Manufacturers and producers must pay attention to sustainability factors when providing products and services.

Carpets Inter is such a company that does its best to follow the environmental protection model. The company that first started business in the 1950s is now recycling plastic to make carpets. From the production of various carpets in 1974 to the relocation to Thailand in 2004, it was acquired in 2017. The company is known for its customization and innovation.

Richard Morris, Carpets Inter's global business director, tells you that since their factory is located in a green area, they must be very environmentally friendly from the beginning.

"Also as early as the 1990s, we took environmental protection measures. By the 2000s, we began to use recycled materials to make our carpets. Over the years, since our land has become a residential area today, recycling and sustainability have always been It is necessary. This means that the plant must be self-sufficient and no waste enters the landfill. We recycle our water through the catchment area. All waste is also treated," Morris said.

The transition to sustainable manufacturing is not easy. Morris tells you that to take the initiative, you must run for a long time and learn along the way.

“In terms of compliance, a lot of investment is required. We are in a commodity-driven market. This means that we have to keep prices low. What has happened over the years is that several leading brands have raised the benchmark in terms of compliance. Ten years ago , Carbon footprint is not yet a term in use. It is all about recycling and reuse. This means that people must find recycled materials and make products.

When we started recycling plastic bottles to make carpets, the question staring at us was, what happens to the carpet once the expiration date is exceeded? There is a challenge here. Thailand does not allow garbage from other countries to enter. Therefore, we have to find ways to reuse and recycle products in the countries where we export. The good news is that at home, we are not only able to take back our products, but also our competitors and recycle them to create clean energy," Morris explained.

To make a square meter of carpet, the company used 55 reusable 500 ml plastic bottles. These are either from Thailand or China. To make plastic carpets, used plastic bottles are melted in a machine. It is then restored to its granular form. From the pellets, a thin thread like a fishing line is made, and then it is cut. Then it is needle punched into a fine felt. Then lament it on the carpet that forms the base. Recycled plastic is the entire packaging system, forming an entire layer under the modular carpet.

“The carbon-neutral nylon we use to make the carpet itself. We don’t produce this nylon, but purchase it from very large companies, which recycle plastics (such as fishing nets) themselves. They use a similar process to ours. Filament and spun it into carbon neutral fiber," Morris tells you.

There are several advantages to using this kind of carpet. First, they increase the service life of the product. Usually, modular carpets come with hard packaging because it is cheaper to use. Today, our idea is to look for packaging made of recycled materials. The tiles will be affected by any foot drop and placement on top of the modular carpet. But if there is cushioning, the impact under the feet will be absorbed by the things below, thus prolonging the service life. Cushion packaging has other advantages. From installation companies to investors to manufacturers, there are cost-saving benefits. There are also benefits to the user side.

Secondly, the felt acts as a thermal barrier. It can withstand very high to very low temperatures. In other words, if you live in a hot area, this will help reduce the coolness of the room based on the air conditioning. In cold climates, it can prevent heat from escaping and keep the room warm. It not only reduces electricity bills, but also reduces the carbon footprint.

Felt is also responsible for acoustics. Several organizations are seeking to reduce noise pollution. The ecological soft material acts as an acoustic barrier. It will increase the noise reduction by 150%.

“Typical tiles are 50x50 cm or 25cmx1m tiles. But we can customize it and make 2m square tiles up to 20 cm long. They are modular tiles in rolls. Therefore, there are several of our products Good," Morris said.

In India, the company has an office in Gurgaon. The focus here is to cater to the hotel and hospitality industry as well as multinational companies. The good part is that the price is competitive because there are already multiple companies in the industry.

"Although we know that our products are expensive, the advantages of our modular carpets outweigh the slight increase in prices. Our carpets are also aesthetically pleasing and colorful, which gives us an advantage. So far, we Carpets suitable for 25-30 buildings have been sold from top to bottom, and our position in the market is becoming more and more stable," Morris said.

Currently, the company only focuses on the commercial aspects of the Indian business. "Unfortunately, there is no demand at the retail level in the country. This is because saturated and hand-knotted carpets have been tailored in the country. In the retail sector, the company is working through distributors in countries such as Australia.