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Download Detailed PDF Version of Taraflex® Environment Brochure
LEED Certified and the Environment
Committed to Sustainable Development
"More than ever before, respecting people means
respecting the environment."
Active in a very demanding international market, Gerflor responds very quickly to environmental issues.
For many years already the Group has given top priority to protecting the environment and the implementation of ISO standard 14001. Continuous efforts are being made in relation to:
- Water treatment
- Emissions treatment
- Solvent-free processes
- Waste recycling
Gerflor is an active member of the Floor Coverings Recycling Association (AGPR), based in Germany. Throughout Europe the Group supports the waste recycling activities organized by the profession.
Gerflor takes care to ensure that the products supplied to our customers comply with existing regulations concerning:
- the elimination of heavy metals (lead, cadmium…)
- VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emission reduction as specified in ongoing European studies in this field.
We are not stopping there, we are committed to high levels of investment to promote growth and environmental protection simultaneously. Our goal is yours - to imagine a better world.
Questions and Answers
What is PVC made of?
PVC is a harmless and safe material made of 57% salt and 43% oil. By comparison to all other plastics, PVC requires the least oil and consumes the least energy during production.
Is PVC toxic?
No. PVC is a harmless and safe material both for users and the environment. It is a material used on a daily basis by each of us at home and at work. PVC is used extensively in hygienic, clinical areas and for tools and storage vessels which come into close and intimate contact with humans and animals, e.g.: blood storage bags, catheters, dialysis tubes, etc. …
Are PVC floor coverings environmentally friendly?
Yes. Gerflor's decision to exclude heavy metals, to meet and exceed all local and international safety standards and to continually strive to improve its sustainable processes, has proven its commitment to deliver environmentally friendly PVC floor coverings.
Does PVC affect air quality?
All materials emit volatile substances called VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) during their lifetime. Some products release excessive amounts, resulting in air pollution inside buildings. This is not the case with Gerflor floors. 
Our products have been assessed in accordance with the proposed European standard (pr EN15052) at both 3 and 28 days and are proven to emit VOC’s well below the agreed acceptable standard. Gerflor only recommends the use of solvent free acrylic adhesives for installation.
Can PVC be recycled?
Gerflor floor coverings can be fully recycled and are therefore often described as a sustainable product. Gerflor recycles nearly 100% of its post manufacturing waste. We also buy additional recycled PVC material thereby actively reducing the amount of used PVC sent to landfill.
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