Earth Day is an annual event created to raise public awareness about the importance of safeguarding the environment. Earth Day takes place on the 22nd of April every year and has become an important reminder to us of the things we can do to help preserve our planet. This year’s Earth Day theme ‘planet vs plastics’ concentrates on the ongoing issue of plastic pollution and how harmful it is to the environment. Here at Des Kelly Interiors, we make Earth Day more than a one-day celebration by recognising the importance of sustainability and taking action to ensure that we are doing our part to be more eco-friendly and sustainable.
How We Are Celebrating Earth Day
Earth Day serves as a reminder of not only our global environmental impact but also of personal choices and habits that can make a difference. Here are some small changes we have made in our workplace to be more sustainable and think green:
1. Turning our kitchen green
In our canteen, we no longer have plastic cups, plates or forks. All of our cups, plates and cutlery are reusable, this is to minimize the amount of plastic in our workplace. Each member of staff has their own reusable cup/water bottle for coffee and water to avoid any waste.
2. Reduce energy consumption
In our offices, we are conscious of the energy being used which is why we ensure that lights are only on when needed and that all machines are turned off properly at the end of every work day.
3. Recycling program
Throughout our offices and canteen, we have designated recycling bins for any paper waste.
4. Discussions in team meetings
We are always looking for ways we can be more eco-friendly not only as individuals but also as a company which is why we dedicate 10 minutes of each team meeting to discuss ideas or changes we can make to be more green.
Changes we can make in our home to be more
sustainable
With Earth Day here, now is the time to start thinking about how the materials you choose and use in your home will impact the planet. Rapidly increasing plastic consumption across the world has made the need for recycling inevitable. Therefore, it is necessary to use natural resources efficiently by reducing the consumption of existing natural resources and using recycled waste instead. Increased consumption has resulted in a scarcity of raw materials and increased environmental pollution. Therefore, to ensure that we still maintain supply, in a sustainable manner we have taken action to begin supplying fully recycled and recyclable carpets and underlay. Here are just some of the products we sell which can help make your home more eco-friendly-
Carpets & Underlays
1. Revive Recycled carpets
Recycled carpets have become more than a sustainable trend, they’re proof that plastic waste can be turned into a soft, elegant, durable carpet for your home, which is one of the kindest things you can do for the planet. Revive recycled carpets are made from recycled plastic bottles that have been recovered from the sea. The bottles are collected, shredded, washed and dried. The shredded bottle flakes are then melted into pellets, filtered, cleaned and spun into yarn. The yarn is then dyed and woven to create stunning eco-friendly rolls of carpet. This eco-carpet combined with a recycled underlay such as Renu, ensures customers can have a completely sustainable floor in their home. Renu uses ethically sourced and genuinely recycled materials, keeping waste from landfills and being recyclable itself. The best part about it is when your underlay has reached the end of its life, it can be collected and used to create new rolls of Renu!
2. Fibre Carpets
Fibre carpets have many sustainable options when it comes to carpets and rugs leaving you spoilt for choice. When it comes it comes to sustainable flooring, natural carpets made from sisal, seagrass, and jute are at the forefront. Unlike synthetic carpets which are typically derived from petroleum-based materials, natural carpets are biodegradable and do not release harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. By choosing natural fibres, you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint and create a healthier indoor environment for you and your loved ones. Sisal and Seagrass are great choices when it comes to sustainable flooring as they are both 100% natural fibre and all of them have natural latex backing or 100% compostable felt backing from recycled plant material making it a safer choice for the environment.
Flooring
1. The Naturals Flooring
Coretec The Naturals floors are not only wood-free, but they also are Greenguard Gold certified. Besides the look of nature, the naturals floor also brings healthy outdoor air inside. The floors are GREENGUARD Gold certified, which means they contribute to a healthy living environment for all. (link of natural on website and lifestyle image of naturals wood flooring).
2. Engineered Flooring
At Des Kelly Interiors, our engineered floors contain wood which has been sourced from well managed and sustainable forests. They have achieved both FSC and PEFC chain of custody certification. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) aims to promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world’s forests.
Sustainability factors to consider when choosing new flooring
Where did the materials come from?
Are they made with recycled materials?
If the product is wood, is it accredited by the FSC or PEFA?
Will my floors/carpet be long lasting?
Beds
Here at Des Kelly Interiors we not only sell eco-friendly mattresses and bed frames we also allow our customers to recycle their old mattresses. We deliver the mattresses to Eco Mattress Recycling where their team takes care of the rest. When they receive a mattress from us, they fillet it like a fish, cut it open, remove all the staples, take the pocket springs out and separate the material. Eco Mattress Recycling can guarantee they will never resell or reuse a mattress that they receive. They will only ever take apart the mattress and recycle the components. Recycling your old mattresses has many benefits for the environment, one being it reduces the illegal dumping of mattresses. More reasons why you should recycle your old mattress can be seen here.
1. Respa
All Respa divan beds are made from Certified Scandinavian timber, which means it is sourced from sustainably managed forests. The timber is carefully inspected and tested before becoming the solid foundation for your Respa mattress.
2. Emerald Bed Company
The Adare 11000 pocket is a sustainable bed crafted from the finest natural materials. This eco-conscious bed blends lambswool, horsehair, mohair alpaca, bamboo and flax which provides the customer with comfort and sustainability.
Make Every Day Earth Day with Des Kelly Interiors
At Des Kelly Interiors we are committed to making everyday Earth day by helping you find a look you love for your home while also making an impact on the environment. Each time you renovate your home you have an opportunity to make a difference. If you have any questions about how you can make your home more sustainable you can contact us in-store or on our social media channels. Together we can make a difference, starting with your home.
FAQ’s – Common Questions About Our Sustainability
1. What are some popular types of ecofriendly flooring at Des Kelly Interiors?
At Des Kelly Interiors we sell a wide range of sustainable flooring options. Some of the most popular being Revive Carpets, Fibre Carpets and engineered flooring.
2. Is wood a sustainable flooring option?
Yes but when shopping for wood floors look out for FSC and PEFC certifications which means that the wood comes from responsibly managed forests and has been harvested in a sustainable way.
3. How are Des Kelly Interiors celebrating Earth Day?
Here at Des Kelly Interiors we make Earth Day more than a one day event by providing our customers with a wide range of sustainable options for their home. We have also made changes in our workplace to be more eco-conscious by reducing energy consumption, using reusable cups/bottles and continuing to discuss as a team how we can be more sustainable.
