Carpet One’s Green Select Program

Environmental Awareness

Encouraging and helping others to follow in their ecological footprints.
by Chris Moline, LEED AP

At Alexandria Carpet One Floor & Home, we play a role in CCA’s proactive, engaged approach to environmentalism.

As a part of CCA Global Partners, we realize our industry’s worldwide impact on the environment, which is why we have wholeheartedly embraced the “green movement” through the Green Select program.

The Green Select program was designed to show the importance of championing green products, and demonstrating how easy it is to make a difference by “going green” in every day operations — reducing waste, conserving resources, and increasing recycling.

In order for a product to earn classification as Green Select, there are several criteria that must be met. It must be recyclable, contain a minimum percentage of recycled material or be made from a natural, sustainable, quickly renewable resource. The definitions, criteria and green products will be constantly evaluated and updated based on industry changes and technological advances. We are steadfast in our mission: bettering our environment by our own actions and through our relationships with our member community, suppliers, and employees.

CCA is following through on this commitment by educating our employees and members to the importance of implementing Green Select standards. We also strongly encourage partnerships and employee volunteerism with environmentally focused non-profit organizations.

As part of this deep obligation to “greening” our industry and our world, CCA Global pledges to:
SEEK ways to expand our exclusive line of Green Select products.
MODEL a commitment to examine all of our business and procurement practices and to acquire and use resources as respectfully and thoughtfully as possible.
GUIDE our member community to help them operate their businesses in an environmentally responsible manner.
PARTNER with our suppliers to help them continue to provide the highest quality and value, with enhanced environmental responsibility.
MENTOR our employees and member community, and provide educational resources to help them make environmentally conscious decisions.

In Alexandria, we have a specific area dedicated to truly-green flooring choices. You’ll see cork, bamboo, Marmoleum, wool carpet over recycled pad, undyed wool carpet with natural latex in the backing, reclaimed hardwood, and so much more.
Chris

Christopher Moline, LEED AP
Residential Group Manager
Alexandria Carpet One
Commercial Carpets of America
Email
703-370-0000

Not ashamed to be a dog and tree-hugger!

Glossary of Terms

GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND RESOURCES TO EXPLORE

Natural Resources: Resources that exist naturally in the world.

Quickly Renewable Resource: Resources that, if consumed responsibly at a rate that does not exceed growth, can quickly replenish themselves.

Recyclable: A product or package that can be recovered from the solid waste stream for reuse, or in the manufacturing or assembly of another package or product through an established recycling program. — http://www.ftc.gov

Recycled Content: Materials that have been recovered and otherwise diverted from the waste stream, either during the manufacturing process (pre-consumer), or after consumer use (post-consumer). — http://www.ftc.gov

Sustainability: Material or energy sources which, if managed carefully, will provide the needs of a community or society indefinitely, without depriving future generations of their needs.— http://www.worldwatch.org

Links to Green Educational Websites:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:

http://www.epa.gov

USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council):

http://www.usgbc.org/

CARE (Carpet America Recovery Effort):

http://www.carpetrecovery.org/

FSC (Forest Stewardship Council):

http://www.fscus.org/

CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission):

http://www.cpsc.gov/