Recycling Programs – Armstrong Flooring NZ
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Recycling Programs

PVC Recycling in Hospitals Program

Plastics can account for around a third of hospital general waste, with PVC medical products, such as face masks, oxygen tubes and intravenous bags, attributing to approximately a quarter of this.¹

Initiated in Australia by the Vinyl Council, the PVC Recycling in Hospitals program collects used PVC medical products for recycling safely into new products. The program is operating in over 280 hospitals and healthcare facilities in Australia and New Zealand.²

As Australia’s only sheet vinyl manufacturer, Armstrong Flooring is able to use the recycled plastic face masks in its Australian made products, reducing this waste going to landfill. The plastic face masks are pulverised into a fine powder and put into the production of our Accolade and Natralis homogeneous flooring collections.

Each tonne of recycled PVC replaces around one tonne of virgin PVC compound in new products, consuming 80% less energy and reducing carbon emissions.² Twenty-five tonnes of the fine powder is collected each year, reducing the equivalent amount of virgin PVC material that goes into approximately one million square metres of our flooring products.

Driving Sustainability Forward with the Crate Repair Program

In 2024, Armstrong Flooring advanced its commitment to sustainability and supply chain efficiency by launching the Crate Repair Program in partnership with local experts, Purple Pear Pallets. This eco-conscious initiative extends the life of our shipping crates - reducing landfill waste, cutting carbon emissions, and lowering operational costs. It’s a smart, sustainable solution that supports a circular economy and minimises environmental impact across our logistics process.

  • Crates were reused up to 5 times, keeping them in a circular loop.
  • Significant carbon reductions achieved by extending material life and reducing the need for new timber.
  • Repairing crates proved 4x cheaper than replacement.
  • By avoiding the creation of new crates, Armstrong Flooring helped reduce the pressure on natural timber resources.
  • Fewer crates discarded, less timber sent to landfill, and lower transport emissions.

This program is a strong example of how innovative local partnerships can unlock sustainable, scalable solutions. Armstrong Flooring is actively contributing to a low-waste, low-carbon future, and helping build a resilient, circular supply chain.

"Working together with Armstrong Flooring has been a fantastic partnership for Purple Pear Pallets. By keeping their pallets in circulation, we're not only supporting a more sustainable supply chain but also creating consistent and reliable business for ourselves. It’s a win-win, Armstrong Flooring benefits from reduced pallet waste and improved logistics, while we maintain a steady flow of quality pallets through our operations. This collaboration aligns with our values and helps both businesses work smarter and more sustainably." - Graeme Roach, Director, Purple Pear Pallets

¹ Department of Health. PVC Recycling in Hospitals. https://www.health.vic.gov.au/planning-infrastructure/pvc-recycling-in-hospitals

² Vinyl Council Australia. PVC Recycling in Hospitals. https://www.vinyl.org.au/pvc-recycling-in-hospitals

Experts in Flooring As longstanding local manufacturers, we are leaders in the industry delivering high quality floorcoverings and providing technical support and advice.
Proudly Local New Zealand owned and are proudly Australia’s only manufacturer of commercial sheet vinyl flooring for over 50 years.
Sustainable Flooring We are committed to responsible life cycle management and sustainable flooring practices. We utilise our manufacturing position to make, reuse and recycle materials.