Inaugural Flooring Sustainability Summit

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Sustainability, green building, climate change, embodied carbon…these topics and more were the focus of the inaugural Flooring Sustainability Summit held July 16-18, in Washington, D.C. The event brought together more than 225 key stakeholders, including associations, manufacturers, designers, architects, advocacy groups, government officials, and more, to advance the narrative for flooring sustainability. The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) was a co-host for the summit, along with the Tile Council of North America (TCNA), Natural Stone Institute, and North American Laminate Flooring Association.

Bill Griese, deputy executive director for TCNA and summit chairman, noted that the event was designed to bring together leaders from the entire flooring industry, put competition aside, and work collaboratively to identify sustainability objectives, prioritize industry standards, impact governmental policy, and advance green building practices throughout the supply chain.

John Forbes, director of manufacturer services for NWFA (center), participated on the panel for Health and Material Reporting. | Photo courtesy of NWFA

“Not all of us are material scientists,” stated Peter Templeton, president and CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council, “but we must be educated consumers.” Templeton, along with representatives from the American Institute of Architects, International Interior Design Association, and Green Building Initiative presented the keynote session.

In addition to these prominent groups, attendees participated in two full days of presentations from organizations that included the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ASTM International, International WELL Building Institute, U.S. General Services Administration, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Habitable, International Living Future Institute, Gensler (a large architectural firm), WAP Sustainability, Carbon Leadership Forum, U.S. Green Building Council, industry manufacturers, and industry trade associations. Following each presentation, attendees broke out into facilitated workshop groups to discuss topics in more detail.

Bill Griese, deputy executive director for TCNA and summit chairman, addresses attendees at the Capitol Visitor Center. | Photos courtesy of NWFA

Topics included Alignment on Embodied Carbon, Green Building Standardization, Health and Material Reporting, EU Initiatives and Their Impact on Flooring, Architecture and Design Initiatives, and Federal Procurement. Two networking receptions were held as well, providing attendees with opportunities to make meaningful connections and establish relationships with sustainability experts from across the globe.

Green building conferences generally focus on broad topics, but this summit is the first time sustainability leaders have met to discuss how flooring specifically fits into the broader sustainability narrative. “We know that real wood flooring has a great sustainability message and checks all the boxes from a green building perspective,” says Michael Martin, president and CEO of NWFA, “but there is a big disconnect between consumers wanting environmentally friendly products and cost. All things being equal, consumers want products that do no environmental harm, but they also need products that fit their budget.”

Dates for the 2025 Flooring Sustainability Summit are set for July 16-17 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. More information is available at flooringsummit.com.

Educating consumers about environmental issues, as well as the long-term value of real wood is a major objective for NWFA, which is why it is advocating for standardization for cradle-to-grave environmental declarations as opposed to cradle-to-gate. “Wood has the best environmental story to tell,” says Martin, “and our industry needs consensus in how we tell that story so that consumers can make educated buying decisions.”

John Forbes, director of manufacturer services for NWFA, participated on the panel for Health and Material Reporting. Forbes shared information about the NWFA’s Environmental Product Declarations for solid and engineered wood flooring, the NWFA’s Engineered Refinishable Program, the NWFA’s Responsible Procurement Program, and the NWFA’s education opportunities, including hands-on training, online courses, and continuing education courses for architect and design professionals. “The caliber of attendee at this first-year event was truly impressive,” he stated. “I was able to have one-on-one conversations with leaders from the world’s largest architectural firms, designer groups, green building programs, and even government policy agencies. These relationships will help NWFA fine-tune its future sustainability focus and messaging. We already are looking forward to next year’s event.”

Anita Howard is chief operating officer for the National Wood Flooring Association in St. Louis. She can be reached at anita.howard@nwfa.org.

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