The environment…
At Ulster we take our duty of care to the environment very seriously.
Our Responsibility to the Environment
At Ulster we take our duty of care to the environment very seriously. In 2008 our efforts were recognized when we became the first – and, as we go to press, the only – textile manufacturers in the UK and Ireland to achieve the Carbon Trust Standard. This government-backed award is given to the business that can prove they have significantly reduced their carbon footprint year after year. In the last six years, Ulster has reduced its overall carbon output by 48%. If you allow for the fact that we have produced increasing quantities of carpet in the same period, we have actually cut the level of carbon emitted per square metre of carpet by almost 50%.
This has been done by investing in new energy-efficient weaving and dyeing equipment, installing heat recovery units and fitting low-energy lighting systems. When you buy an Ulster Carpet, be assured you are buying a product that has been manufactured to the highest-quality standards, in one of the most energy-efficient carpet factories in the world. We continue to investigate ways to further reduce our carbon footprint, with the ultimate aim of having a truly carbon neutral factory.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Buy Local
Whilst our main focus is on reducing waste, we also recognize that most floor coverings currently end up in landfill at the end of their life. To reduce this burden, almost all our ranges are classified by the Carpet Foundation for “Heavy” or “Extra Heavy” wear. This means they will perform better in your home – and last longer – than many competing products. Furthermore, more than 90% of the total composition of all our wool-rich carpets comes from renewable resources. This significantly reduces our consumption of commonly-used, finite resources like nylon and polypropylene, both of which come from oil.
Where possible, we source local products. The vast majority of the wool we use comes from Britain or Ireland. For some light colors we occasionally use high-quality Norwegian or New Zealand wools. We do not use inferior-quality wools which, although cheaper, do not perform as well.
In March 2000 we were one of the first companies in the UK to be awarded ISO 14001 status. This requires us to continually cut our waste, commit to reduce our impact on the environment, and to meet or exceed all environmental legislation in the countries that we manufacture or sell. All of our axminster and wilton ranges (except Elements Wilton), and the yarns used to produce them, are made in our factories on the UK mainland and in Ireland.
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