ResiLoop — Australia’s first national stewardship scheme for resilient flooring — will receive funding support from 15 local market suppliers of resilient floorcoverings.
This new product stewardship scheme focuses on recycling research and development to address the challenges presented by past, current and future consumption of resilient floorcoverings in Australia.
Initiated by the Australian Resilient Flooring Association (ARFA) in 2022 and funded by the Federal Government, ResiLoop began to address the 60,000 tonnes of flooring waste generated annually — from installation and end of use — after a proposed approach was released in May 2023.
Resilient floorcoverings such as sheet vinyl, linoleum or rubber, luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) and hybrid tiles, are durable products with use lifespans of 30 years or so.
The market for these products has grown significantly over the past decade, largely through imports.
With a target start date of late 2024, ARFA noted that the key to implementing the scheme is confirming local end markets for the recyclate and sought industry investment to continue ResiLoop’s research and manufacturing trials — to commence the preparation for the scheme start-up.
ARFA President Dan Lovell said “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.”
Lovell expressed appreciation towards the commitment from the companies, as well as their willingness to step up and make the investment to help drive a circular future for floorcoverings in Australia.
He added: “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, Forbo Floorcoverings Managing Director Chris Barker explained the next steps of the scheme and attributed industry support as the key to success.
“ResiLoop is now in the transitional phase, where it moves from being an industry proposed concept to a live scheme,” said Barker.
Over the next 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 its Founding Members.
The Founding Members of ResiLoop Limited are Altro APAC, Amtico International, Armstrong Flooring, Forbo Floorcoverings, Gerflor Australasia, Interface Australia, Karndean International, Kenbrock, Milliken (Australia), Pegulan Floor Coverings, Polyflor Australia, Shaw Contract Group, Signature Floorcoverings, The Andrews Group and Tarkett Australia.
