New Carpet Sample Packaging Has Sustainable Power

Recycled fiber packaging replaces plastic for environmentally friendly results.

Lisa Le Fevre -- Interior Design, 4/26/2005 12:00:00 AM

Carpet giant Bentley Prince Street debuts an eco-friendly sample packaging system aimed at encouraging sustainability. The sample vehicles use 100 percent recycled material and wind-powered energy, which minimizes environmental stress.

Smart production drives the campaign. "We will save thousands of trees, alleviate significant manufacturing waste by-products, reduce energy use, and lower air emissions," says Bentley Prince Street president Anthony Minite. The small production run of 130,000 box vehicles, all manufactured with recycled fiber, protects nearly 25,000 trees and uses over 700,000 tons of waste paper. Working with natural products such as cornstarch, water, and vegetable-oil inks to produce the packages prevents nearly 20,600 pounds of atmospheric emissions and 675 pounds of water-carried refuse.

As an added bonus, the new system employs wind power, saving over 134.6 million BTUs of energy per run. Each kit is completely biodegradable, and can be recycled for use in tissue paper, paper towels, or sheet rock production.

The new sampling system, replacing plastic sample cases, will be used in Bentley Prince Street's "Cases For Care" campaign. This campaign is part of a nationwide initiative aimed at providing community non-profit organizations with needed supplies.