Flooring expert, Tony Peak, sales manager at Bona, explains how healthcare properties can go green from the ground up by embracing resilient flooring renewal

The healthcare sector is increasingly taking steps to reduce its carbon footprint, with organisations demonstrating their commitment to the environment and sustainability through better practices, processes, and product choices.

Organisations are often committed to reducing their environmental impact across the estate and the operations side such as transport or waste disposal.

Steps towards greater sustainability are also largely driven by around the clock demand for utilities and as such consideration is turned to the implementation of green technologies including solar heating or smart technologies to help reduce energy or water consumption.

However, environmentally-sustainable choices can be made from the ground up, and there is one area that is commonly overlooked; what lies underfoot has a key role to play.

By far the largest surface area in any healthcare property is flooring, and in recent years more eco-friendly flooring choices have entered the market, helping to reduce environmental impact and enable organisations to move closer towards their sustainability goals.

Long-term, sustainable solutions

Forward-thinking research and development teams in the flooring industry continue to study new ways to develop materials and products that are environmentally friendly and sustainable.

There is, of course, still work to do, but progress from manufacturers enables organisations in healthcare to also make progress.

There are some wonderful examples of sustainability-driven flooring organisations that have taken action to make better products and processes that minimise impact and are kinder to the environment.

For example, waterborne finishes for wooden floors present a safer way to refinish floors by significantly reducing exposure to solvents that can be detrimental to health.

The use of renewable raw materials in floor finishes has a low impact on the environment.

Air quality is another important factor for a healthier and safer planet, and some products are stringently tested to ensure a reduced or minimal release of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) into the air.

There have also been innovations in machines and products, such as dust containment systems, which virtually eliminate dust from the hardwood floor-sanding processes.

Equally, flooring materials made from recycled or natural resources, such as reclaimed wood flooring, bamboo, or cork, for instance, are attractive choices due to their longevity and minimal impact on our ecosystem.

Resilient flooring in healthcare

Resilient flooring is the go-to choice in healthcare.

Rubber, LVT, PVC, and linoleum all fall within the resilient banner and are often the best materials for several reasons; they are cost effective, long-lasting, easy to maintain, and comfortable underfoot.

However, when resilient flooring reaches the end of its lifecycle, and stripping and polishing the surface will no longer result in the right look or performance, or indeed meet health and safety standards, it is most often ripped out and disposed of in landfill. It is then promptly replaced with a brand-new, expensive installation.

This route is not only a significant and avoidable expense, it also has unnecessary implications for the environment.

In response to this, one of the most-notable developments to highlight is an innovation that inspires the renewal, rather than the replacement, of resilient flooring; an option that is delivering enormous benefits.

Resilient floor renewal is more sustainable for the environment than replacing the existing floor, and as a result, it contributes to a circular economy.

Instead of replacing a resilient surface when it is looking old and worn, the care, maintenance, and renewal of the floor can help safeguard our planet’s finite resources.

It avoids the need to remove and dispose of an old floor, by renewing existing materials in situ.

And the results are outstanding and even a trained floor expert would find it near impossible to spot the difference between a renewed surface and a brand-new installation.

Resilient floor renewal report

To understand the full extent to which renewal is a more-sustainable option than a brand-new replacement, Bona embarked on an ambitious project in collaboration with

the IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, an environmental agency founded by the Swedish state and the business sector in the 1960s.

This is an important milestone in the flooring industry because, while the environmental effects of renewing rather than replacing are clear, and have been acknowledged for a long time, until now, few studies have quantified and verified the positive effects.

The result of the 12-month study is positive proof of the environmental benefits and is a significant turning point that could help increase understanding and highlight the shared responsibility of creating a sustainable future.

The study, a cradle-to-grave assessment, took into account the whole lifecycle for renewal and new flooring. This included extraction, production, and transportation of raw materials and products, installation of flooring, and renovation, as well as end of life management of products and waste streams.

The first part of the report reviews the environmental impact from renewing resilient flooring by performing a lifecycle assessment.

The outcome was compared to the impact from producing and installing new flooring in terms of climate change and resource use.

In addition, the result was used as a proof of concept that renewing a floor can reduce the impact of climate change and minimise the use of resources when compared to producing and installing new flooring.

And the results are compelling.

Renewing resilient flooring surfaces creates a 92% reduction in the carbon footprint versus replacing with a brand-new material.

On top of this, a minimum of 90% savings in resources can also be achieved; and these are benefits that the healthcare sector can secure.

Renewal: Making its mark on healthcare

In the flooring industry, renewal has been a well-established and recognised concept for some time, and this understanding of renewal as a bona fide option is now being translated across industries as people have a wider knowledge of how it can be used in almost any situation.

As an example, resilient flooring is put through its paces in the healthcare sector.

There is a high level of footfall, plus the movement of heavy equipment and furniture, and some strict cleaning regimes which collectively cause wear and tear.

However, even when surfaces are covered in scratches, dents, gaps, and stains and are in a terrible condition both aesthetically and from a safety point of view – they still do not need to be replaced.

Even in the worst condition, floors can be transformed through renewal and the end result is the look and feel of a brand-new surface.

Furthermore, the process is significantly quicker, cheaper, and kinder on the environment.

It makes complete sense from all stand-points.

There has been enormous change in the way the healthcare sector views and understands environmental sustainability, huge strides have been made.

It’s clear that the concept of extending the lifetime of products before being disposed of has been embraced across many areas and flooring is no exception.

And resilient floor renewal opens up the opportunity for healthcare to drive further forward with sustainable practices, improve its use of existing resources, and ultimately reduce its impact on climate change.

Visit www.bona.com or call 01908 525150.