PLEASE NOTE: These bulletins, published since 1997, are historical. The content is not updated.
In recent years, increasing numbers of "green" construction materials are being produced. Some of these contain recycled materials, while others focus on other environmental attributes, such as reducing "off-gassing" of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), being more resource efficient or being
made with sustainable materials.Today's bulletin highlights three specific alternative flooring materials to products such as wood, carpet and vinyl: linoleum and bamboo flooring are made from sustainable materials; and faux stone can be made with recycled glass and other recycled materials.
Bamboo
Bamboo is in the grass family, so no natural hardwood trees are used to make this flooring. Bamboo reaches harvestable maturity in 3 to 3 1/2 years, regenerates without need for replanting, and requires minimal fertilization or pesticides. Bamboo has been an important construction material in Asia for many centuries, and the West is beginning to understand the potential of this versatile and sustainable material.
Following are some sources of further information about available bamboo flooring products:
- Bamboo Flooring International
- 20950 Currier Road Walnut, CA 91789
- Phone: (909)594-4189
- Toll Free: (800)827-9261
- Fax: (909)594-6938
- E-mail: sales@bamboo-flooring.com
Often times linoleum and vinyl flooring is confused. Vinyl flooring is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a petroleum product. Linoleum is made with natural materials such as linseed oil, wood flour, limestone, natural pigments, resins and jute, for many years. The floor in your great-grandmnother's farmhouse kitchen might have been linoleum, and the floors of today's airports and other high-traffic buildings are often linoleum, because of its durability and ease of installation.
Following are companies that manufacture linoleum flooring:
- Armstrong World Industries
- (recently bought DLW Aktiengesellschaft that manufactures linoleum overseas)
- PO Box 3001
- Lancaster, PA 17604 USA
- Phone: 717-397-0611
- Fax: 717-396-6428
- Forbo Industries, Inc.
- PO Box 667
- Hazelton , PA 18201 USA
- Phone: 717-459-0771
- 800-842-7839
- Fax: 717-450-0277
100% recycled glass, is used in a high-tech flooring product called Environmental Stone. It can replace granite, marble, limestone, ceramic tile or other types of flooring. Like most things in the construction business, costs and benefits will depend on the specific requirements of the project.
Soybean protein resins are among many agricultural by-products combined with recycled newspaper by Phenix™ Biocomposites, Inc. to make a wide variety of construction materials for furniture, countertops, walls, and floors.
**Inclusion of companies in this list and links to external web-sites do not constitute endorsements by King County.
Two flooring products explored by EBN:
Bamboo Flooring - article (from Vol 6, No. 10)
- Linoleum: The All-Natural Flooring Alternative - article (Vol. 7, No. 9)
- (not on-line, you'll have to call or e-mail for a copy)
- As an all-natural alternative to resilient flooring made from PVC, linoleum has a lot going for it, and a few negatives. This article takes a thorough look at linoleum, examining life-cycle issues, use, disposal, and available products.
Environmental Purchasing Program
The King County Environmental Purchasing Program assists County agencies in implementation of King County Executive Policy CON-7-1-2, which requires agencies to use recycled and other environmentally preferable products wherever practicable.
The program assembles information about these products and makes it available to specific agency users who can evaluate them and develop applications in County projects.
These procurement bulletins contain information about the results of product evaluations and other accomplishments of County agencies. We hope this information will help you find ways to use recycled materials in the work of your agency and that you will contact us if we can help you with further information or if you have suggestions.
- Environmental Purchasing Program
- King County Procurement & Contract Services
Published: June 15, 1999
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Environmental Purchasing Menu | Bulletin List
Updated: June 15, 1999
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