When it comes to ESG values and corporate responsibility Tarkett does not just talk the talk, it walks the walk.
Tarkett, a worldwide leader in innovative flooring solutions, has always had an impressive track record in developing flooring that prioritises the impact it may have on the health & well-being of those who inhabit the space, and its recent whitepaper detailing its participation in the asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program demonstrates this perfectly.
In a nutshell, what does Tarkett say about its commitment to improving indoor air quality for all?
“Our goal? Build social equity from the ground up — one asthma & allergy friendly® certified floor at a time”
Over 100 million people in the U.S. have asthma or allergies – many have both – and the rates are rising. Concern about indoor air quality – which is a major risk factor for both conditions – has become a priority, too. Tarkett, a longtime client of the asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program, is working to design products that support healthy indoor air quality by reducing the environmental triggers for those impacted by asthma and allergies. Tarkett understands that flooring matters:
“These aren’t just floors — they’re the essential foundation to creating spaces for holistic wellness,” says Sandi Soraci, Segment Director, Healthcare, Tarkett North America, of the iQ collection.
Tarkett and the asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program
The asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program offers certification of building materials and household products such as flooring, insulation, paint and HVAC filters. Flooring covers a substantial proportion of the home and so any emissions from flooring can contribute significantly to the quality of the indoor air. Certified asthma & allergy friendly® flooring, like that from Tarkett, goes through a vigorous testing process to show a substantial reduction of allergen after cleaning and minimal increase in allergen levels in the air during cleaning. Additionally, any certified flooring only emits minimal VOCs – both from the adhesive and from the flooring itself.
As consumer demand for products that support health and well-being continues to grow, it is crucial that product health claims are backed by science. The asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program provides credibility and reassurance to consumers, and CERTIFIED products, including Tarkett flooring, align with USGBC LEED credit requirements for low emitting materials.
“Launched over 50 years ago, Powerbond® RS still has no equal in the industry,” says Roxane Spears, Vice President, Sustainability for Tarkett North America.“Having this official certification is a huge step forward not only for the flooring industry but also for the millions of people who suffer from asthma and allergies.”
Clients of the program are provided with promotional and marketing support, findings from research, and access to extensive educational material. Furthermore, the iAir Academy offers educational courses that cover various aspects of indoor air quality relating to the built environment.
Tarkett and Social Equity
Americans experience significant differences in the development and severity of chronic respiratory conditions based on race, ethnicity, sex ,as well as and other factors. Asthma and allergies disproportionately affect minority and vulnerable populations and among the most affected are poor and low- income people living in inner cities and near high amounts of air pollution. In its whitepaper, Tarkett states that
“In the face of the many challenges that contribute to high rates of respiratory illness, we believe that healthy indoor air quality starts with a strong foundation”
The disproportionate effect of respiratory illnesses on vulnerable and disadvantaged populations has emphasized the importance of a holistic approach when choosing products and building materials to ensure social equity. Becoming CERTIFIED is a great step to maximize a company’s benefits to society while staying focused on creating business and increasing brand value. Tarkett has always centered people as part of the design process and through using science-backed third party certification, this commitment is demonstrated in a meaningful way.
Tarkett supports the long-term health of the global community through the Tarkett Cares program. In celebration of National Indoor Air Quality Month 2020,Tarkett donated 24,520 square feet of asthma & allergy friendly® certified flooring to Yachad-DC, a local nonprofit housing remediation organization, which used the flooring to help families in the Washington, D.C. area improve the quality of the air in their homes as part of their Healthy Homes Project.
Involvement in projects that target health disparities in underserved communities allow manufacturers like Tarkett to contribute in a tangible way. Through certification Tarkett is helping us with our mission to create a #OneHealth world, where healthy people live on a healthy planet.
About Tarkett
At Tarkett, social and environmental responsibility aren’t add-ons. They’re woven, stamped, and sealed into everything we do. But more importantly, we don’t just say this, we prove it. For us “good enough” is never good enough. We’re committed to continually beating our own industry-leading high standards and offering you products that help you create healthier environments for everyone in the space. We’re also committed to complete transparency in terms of the selection and independent testing of every last component of our products. It means that when you select Tarkett flooring, you can trust the science, and trust that you have a quality product that puts your health first.
Keywords
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