CISUFLO Project Progresses Optimistically Towards 2025 Endgoal

The CISUFLO (Circular Sustainable Floor Coverings) project has a goal to minimise the environmental impact of the European flooring sector by setting up a systemic framework for circular and sustainable floor coverings taking into account both technical feasibility and socio-economic factors.

Officially started in June 2021, the four-year research and advisory project will be completed in June 2025 – an end goal now fast approaching.

Jane Gardner of the European Floorcoverings Association (EUFCA) and the European Resilient Flooring Manufacturers’ Institute (ERFMI) has developed a white paper on collection which aims to address in practical terms the issue of facilitating and increasing the volume of floorcoverings to be uplifted from site and enhance the circularity of the floorcoverings sector – including textile, laminate and resilient.

A central question posed by the CISUFLO project is whether to collect all flooring together, or to collect it separately by flooring type? The conclusion of the project therefore aims to make suggestions based on the latest available information that will improve the processes for floorcovering collection and recycling. Even since the project began in June 2021, there has been huge progress for example in the UK with the activity of Recofloor, Carpet Recycling UK, and manufacturers’ own take-back programmes.

Other key work within the scope of the CISUFLO project include the evaluation of pilot areas testing the endurance and conditions of floorcovering innovations, and the development of a product information system to be made available via an app.

The CFA and FITA lend ongoing support to the CISUFLO project, helping to drive sustainable innovation in the UK flooring sector as well as Europe at large.

Jane conveys her optimism about progress on the European stage. In the CFA Guide to Sustainability 2024–2025, she quotes: ‘The various initiatives that are taking place are exciting and, whether or not they are ultimately successful, you need these to be taking place in order to push development forward. People might say we are being unrealisitic, but if we want to make this work, this is what needs to happen. Things seem to be moving in the right direction, so I am optimisic.’ The full article is available here.