Redesigning Commerce

Doing well by doing good is our business model and our ethos.

Interface aspires to be the proving ground for a new industrial revolution. By demonstrating that there is a better way to a bigger, more legitimate profit, we offer the world an undeniably improved business model that can serve as a paradigm for others to embrace. In acknowledging that we are part of the problem, it became our responsibility to become part of the solution. If a petro-intensive, old school manufacturing company like us can change, so can anyone.

The bold vision of our founder and chairman Ray Anderson was initially inspired by Paul Hawken’s The Ecology of Commerce, in which he writes, “There is only one institution on earth large enough, powerful enough, pervasive enough, influential enough to really lead humankind in a different direction. And that is the institution of business and industry.” This means that Interface is driven by the obligation to leverage our leadership and influence to achieve greater systems change.

Transforming our industry and its systems—starting with our own supply chain—clearly requires collaboration. We simply can’t reach our goals alone. From our earliest days, we have sought out sustainability thought leaders from a range of sectors and disciplines. By getting involved in bigger movements, we continue to learn, evolve and make new allies on this journey of redesigning commerce.

Redesigning Commerce

  • Aquafil's creative re-use of commercial fishing nets in their carpet fibre inspired Interface to partner in the development of Net-Works™, a program that gathers discarded fishing nets from areas in and around poverty-stricken fishing villages. Collecting these enormous nets not only provides “food” for 100% recycled content Type 6 Nylon for products like B601™ shown here, but also protects marine animals in the ocean depths and on the beaches where the nets sometimes wash up but also provides a supplementary stream of income for local villagers and allows the ecosystem to regenerate. The result is beautiful.

    Aquafil's creative re-use of commercial fishing nets in their carpet fibre inspired Interface to partner in the development of Net-Works™, a program that gathers discarded fishing nets from areas in and around poverty-stricken fishing villages. Collecting these enormous nets not only provides “food” for 100% recycled content Type 6 Nylon for products like B601™ shown here, but also protects marine animals in the ocean depths and on the beaches where the nets sometimes wash up but also provides a supplementary stream of income for local villagers and allows the ecosystem to regenerate. The result is beautiful.

  • Interface Thailand's yarn waste becomes raw materials for stuffed animals like the ones shown here. Villagers in the impoverished Surin province make and sell the animals as an additional source of income. For some it has provided enough money to send children to college, a rare opportunity in the past.

    Interface Thailand's yarn waste becomes raw materials for stuffed animals like the ones shown here. Villagers in the impoverished Surin province make and sell the animals as an additional source of income. For some it has provided enough money to send children to college, a rare opportunity in the past.

  • Through our ReEntry® reclamation and recycling program Interface reclaims used carpeting and separates the components for recycling into new carpet tile or use in other products. By partnering with our suppliers to provide the reclaimed and post-industrial fibers for use as raw materials in new fibres, we're moving closer toward a closed loop supply chain.

    Through our ReEntry® reclamation and recycling program Interface reclaims used carpeting and separates the components for recycling into new carpet tile or use in other products. By partnering with our suppliers to provide the reclaimed and post-industrial fibers for use as raw materials in new fibres, we're moving closer toward a closed loop supply chain.