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Landfill waste is a growing issue within Australia with the flooring industry being a contributor. In particular resilient flooring contributes to an estimated 60,000 tonnes of waste to landfill that will never even be walked on. Resiloop is a product stewardship scheme conceptualised and created by The Australian Resilient Flooring Association (AFRA), as means to reduce, and mitigate this issue by using local industry leaders as a pathway to circular economy. Polyflor recognising the significance of this initiative and sharing the same values of ethical and environmentally conscious business practices is proud to be an official founding member.
ResiLoop has developed a business case, supported by proof-of-concept trials, for a national scheme supported by the industry in Australia. Based on material flow analysis of locally made and imported products consumed in the domestic market, it will address the logistics of recovering and sorting flooring waste streams, development of suitable recycling technologies and processes to produce recyclate of optimal quality, and identification and development of viable end markets for the material in Australia.
The main objectives outlined by Resiloop are to increase the recovery and recycling of resilient floor coverings in Australia at scale in conjunction with a majority of product distributors and flooring installers. To build onshore recycling capacity by researching and developing new end applications for the recyclate, encouraging growth in the recycling sector through capital investment and employment as well as suppling recyclate to local manufacturers in order to reduce virgin material consumption. On a macro scale Resiloop’s aims to drive sector wide changes by working closely with product development and engaging manufacturers, distributers, specifiers, flooring contractors, recyclers, and consumers.
As of November 1st 2023, Polyflor has committed to provide funding support for Resiloop, Australia’s first national stewardship scheme for resilient flooring. With additional funding from the Australian Government, ResiLoop was initiated by the Australian Resilient Flooring Association (ARFA) in 2022 and a proposed approach released in May 2023 to start addressing the 60,000 tonnes of flooring waste generated annually from installation and end of use.
Resilient floorcoverings such as sheet vinyl, luxury vinyl tiles are durable products with lifespans up to 30 years. The market for these products has grown significantly in the last decade through imports with demand continuing to increase for these easily installed, durable and stylish products.
The target start date of the scheme is late 2024. The key to the successful commencement is confirming local end markets for the recyclate. AFRA has sought industry investment to continue ResiLoop’s research and manufacturing trials and the preparation for the scheme to begin.
ARFA President, Dan Lovell stated “We are pleased to announce that all of ARFA’s members, representing 60 per cent of market sales nationally, have agreed to provide financial contributions proportionate to their sales to support this ongoing work.”
“We really appreciate the commitment from these companies, the willingness to step up and make this investment to help drive a circular future for floorcoverings in Australia. These companies become the Founding Members of ResiLoop Limited, the product stewardship organisation which will manage the scheme.”
ResiLoop Limited has now been incorporated as a not-for-profit product stewardship organisation.
As the inaugural chair of the organisation, Chris Barker, Managing Director of Forbo Floorcoverings explained the next steps of the scheme citing the support of industry the key to success.
“ResiLoop is now in the transition phase, where it moves from being an industry proposed concept to a live scheme.”
Over the coming six months, current re-manufacturing trials will be continued and new, potential end applications for the recyclates will be explored with interested parties. The governance arrangements for Resiloop Limited will also be planned in consultation with Polyflor as one of the Founding Members.
“None of this would be possible without the ongoing support of the Australian Government and the commitment of product suppliers to work collaboratively towards a solution,” Chris said.
“Together, it gives us an opportunity to explore all potential avenues for recycling these materials in Australia.”
“If others in the market are interested in getting involved, they’re welcome to contact us.”
Polyflor continues its involvement in initiatives that benefit national and global interest in regard to the reduction of our carbon footprint through implementation of environmentally conscious business practices. ResiLoop’s values for a circular economy are parallel with Polyflor’s ethos to operate “for a better environment” and we expect continued success for this initiative.