Resource Futures to manage vinyl flooring recycling scheme

Resource Futures has been commissioned by flooring manufacturers Altro and Polyflor to manage Recofloor, the UK's national commercial waste vinyl collection scheme. The transition of management from Axion Group took place in November 2024.

The scheme, which was established in 2009 as part of a WRAP pilot project, has collected 62,800 rolls of vinyl flooring – equivalent to 341 football pitches – since its launch.

Bethan Jones, Director at Resource Futures, commented: "Businesses regularly face the same sustainability challenges as their competitors and often the best way to make a difference can be to come together to tackle these issues. That's what we see with the collaboration between Altro and Polyflor in Recofloor: we're delighted to welcome this initiative to Resource Futures as another key community programme tackling waste challenges."

Industry recognition and achievements

The scheme's environmental impact has been recognised through multiple awards in 2024, including the Circular Economy award at the Better Society Awards and a Highly Commended recognition in the 'contribution to achieving net zero' category at the Awards for Excellence in Recycling.

Most recently, Recofloor Project Manager Carla Eslava collected the Green Apple National Gold award in the 'waste management in building and construction' category at a reception held at Kensington Palace.

The programme has also been shortlisted for the 2024 MRW National Recycling Awards in three categories: 'circular economy initiative', 'recycling excellence', and 'partnership excellence (commercial)'.

Manufacturer commitment

Both manufacturing partners expressed their commitment to the scheme's environmental goals. Paul Smallman, Director of Polyflor, said: "Both partners are committed to continuing the great work of the Recofloor scheme and supporting the industry cost-effective and environmentally-sound decisions in vinyl flooring disposal."

Supporting this view, Matt Robinson, Director of Altro, added: "Resource Futures has vast experience in running similar projects and of the wider waste and resources industry, so it was a clear choice for us in taking Recofloor forwards."

The scheme operates through direct collections from project sites and contractors' premises, while also allowing for small volumes of day-to-day waste vinyl to be dropped off at participating flooring distributors across the UK. It accepts smooth, safety and luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) post-installation offcuts, as well as loose lay, uplifted smooth vinyl and roll-ends, which are recycled into new products, including flooring.