The Lansink’s Ladder is a tool that allows for reflection on waste treatment to help us achieve a circular economy. It is a hierarchy

of waste management that was first introduced in the Netherlands by Ad Lansink in 1979.

Lansink’s Ladder is often used to guide waste management policies by promoting more sustainable practices. Here is the ladder in order of priority:

• Prevention: reduce the quantity of waste produced;
• Reuse: use products or materials again without transforming them;
• Recycling: transform materials to manufacture new products;
• Energy recovery: use waste to produce energy;
• Disposal: landfilling or incineration without energy recovery.

This hierarchy can be applied in the carpet sector. Indeed, Orak is committed to limiting the environmental impact of carpet tiles. Here’s how Lansink’s Ladder can then be applied:

• Prevention: choose high-quality and durable carpet tiles, ensure proper implementation, and put in place maintenance adapted to usage, with the aim of limiting replacement.
• Reuse: reinstall carpet tiles in good condition in other areas where they can still be used.
• Recycling: send worn carpet tiles to a recycling facility where fibers and other materials can be recovered to create new products.
• Energy recovery: use non-recyclable carpet tiles for energy production, for example, in energy recovery facilities.
• Disposal: as a last resort, carpet tiles that cannot be recycled or recovered are disposed of safely, often by landfilling.

Focus on Carpet: reuse as an environmental solution

Introduction to the environmental impact of carpeting and the importance of reuse in its sustainable management

The manufacturing of carpets can have an impact on the environment. Indeed, it requires significant resources such as water and energy to operate the equipment. In addition, some manufacturers use non-renewable raw materials. Carpets then produce waste, sometimes unusable or non-recyclable.

Nowadays, many manufacturers of quality French and international carpets are involved in an eco-responsible approach. These companies, like Balsan, offer durable and eco-designed materials and use recycled fibers.

Carpet reuse service: solution offered by Orak

At Orak, the reuse of carpet is at the heart of our eco-responsible approach:

• Once the carpet tiles have been collected from customers, they are cataloged, cleaned, sorted, and reconditioned. The reused tiles provided to customers have the same technical characteristics as the original tiles.
• Regular carpet maintenance ensures its durability and prevents premature replacement;
• The valorization of your carpet is a priority. Our reuse target is 40 to 80% after initial use.

Advantages of carpet reuse

The reuse of carpet has many advantages compared to its recycling:

• Cost savings by reusing carpet tiles in another space without investing in new flooring;
• Optimization of your CSR approach to contribute to the circular economy and reduce your carbon footprint;
• Environmental preservation by reducing your waste.