Sustainability - Product Performance



Now you can be like a kid in a candy store.
Random patterns, architectural patterns, large scale patterns, small scale patterns, lots of texture options, soft colors, muted colors, earth tones, rich jewel tones, modern designs and classical designs. All with great performance, stain resistance that never wears off and a lifetime warranty.

What is "Environmentally Preferable"?
 The words "Environmentally Preferable" were first outlined by the President in September 1998 in Executive Order 13101, which directs Executive agencies to identify and purchase Environmentally Preferable Products. Since that time, reputable third party organizations, including Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) have certified hundreds of environmental product claims.

Independent Third Party Certified
 The certification was awarded by Scientific Certifications Systems (SCS) through their Environmentally Preferable Certification program. It is important to note that the program is built upon rigorous recognized industry standards (including the EPA Final Guidance and ISO 14000 methodology) and consists of four areas which a product must meet -- each corresponding to a stage of a product's life cycle.
Resource Conservation
The intent of this credit area is to encourage the selection and use of component material manufactured wholly or in part from recycled content (post-consumer and post-industrial), bio-based, and environmentally preferable ingredients.
• One primary element of Lees Unibond backing is a biorenewable resource that is a by-product of the forest industry.
• 96% of stains can be cleaned using hot water only, minimizing downstream waste water effects.
• Unibond RE is certified by Scientific Certification Systems to contain a minimum of 20% post-consumer recycled content, by total product weight.
Product Manufacturing
The intent of this credit area is to insure that air and water emissions from production operations are managed per required regulation or via use of best available control options.
• Lees' manufacturing facility meets stringent federal Clean Air Act Class I standards.
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and National Forestry Service monitor the environmental performance of our facility.
• Technological investments have resulted in substantial improvements in environmental impact, including a 31.2% reduction in energy use per pound, a 72.4% decrease in water usage, a 24% reduction in emissions and a 59.2% reduction in solid waste.
Product Performance
For products to be deemed environmentally preferable, they must perform at or above recognized industry standards. Incorporating positive environmental attributes cannot be undermined by lower quality performance.
• Superior durability and longevity -- more than 300 million yards installed.
• Performs above recognized industry standards for texture retention, tuft bind, delamination, and permanent stain resistance.
• Lifetime performance and stain warranty.
• All products pass the stringent VOC limits for CRI Green Label Plus.
• Does not promote the growth of mold and fungi.
Extended Product Responsibility
The intent of this credit is to insure that existing and new carpet products can be collected, processed and recycled within the existing carpet recycling infrastructure. Every year, new and different carpets are introduced to the marketplace utilizing different fiber types, different primary and secondary backing material as well as different fibers. It is important that a carpet manufacturer recognize the impact of these variables on the carpet recycling infrastructure including particularly how construction and material choices impact the possible end use recovery options of the product.
• 100% of Lees Broadloom carpets are totally recyclable using standard reclamation techniques.
• Member, National Recycling Coalition
• Member, Invista Partnership for Carpet Reclamation
• Member, U.S. Green Building Council