“Environmental stewardship is an ever-evolving journey, and we have continued to improve our actions with meaningful results for more than 150 years,” commented Jim McCallum, president of the global Milliken floor covering division. “We believe this requires a holistic approach – with continued assessments to question the status quo. This very nature of comprehensive inquisitiveness is what defines Milliken.”

Healthy materials

To create the report, stakeholders confirmed the material issues pertinent to architecture and interior design: chemical and human health impacts, recycled content and recyclability, resource consumption, supply chain impacts of products and employer of choice. The report meets the requirements of the LEED v4 MRc3 credit.

“This report confirms that the most environmentally responsible action Milliken can take is to design high-performing products with healthy materials that last,” said Philip Ivey, global sustainability leader for the Milliken floor covering division. “By doing so, we reduce the need for replacement – which in turn inhibits a chain reaction of environmental impacts. It protects our customers, their investment and the environment.”

Recyclability achievements

Recycled content and recyclability achievements include fulfilling zero waste to landfill pledge for 23 years, as well as implementing strategies to prolong the life of products, including built-in cushion backing, which expands the first life of Milliken floor covering up to 40% longer than hard-backed carpet and allows for reuse – the highest form of recycling.

Another achievement in this area includes reclaiming used Milliken floor covering from one space to serve more than 400 new spaces across a community.

Supply chain impact insight includes supplier collaborations to create accurate life cycle assessments, and supplier partnerships with companies including Aquafil, to result in more sustainable product offerings for customers.

Resource consumption

Key highlights regarding resource consumption include reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 9.02% and 10.42%, respectively, with only 10.98% and 9.58% additional reductions needed to meet 2020 goals; reducing energy consumption by 13.61%, reducing water consumption by 49.02%, already achieving the 2020 goal; and reducing waste generation by 13.08%, with only 6.92% reduction needed to meet 2020 goals.

Milliken

Milliken is an innovation company that has been exploring, discovering, and creating ways to enhance people’s lives since 1865. Its team of innovators has developed one of the largest collections of United States patents held by a private company.

With expertise across a breadth of disciplines including specialty chemical, floor covering, and performance materials, the company works around the world putting an emphasis on safe and sustainable production.

“Every day at Milliken is spent with a purpose and passion for making the world a better place,” said Ivey. “Whether it is through optimizing our product materials to champion interior environments that promote well-being, or the choice to act in an environmentally respectful and ethically responsible manner, this is how we ‘do good’ for the world. We are committed to advancing our product offering and operations along this thread.”

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