At GH Commercial, we recognise that every space begins with its flooring. As a permanent feature, it supports daily life — enduring heavy foot traffic, resisting wear, and lasting for years. While this durability reflects our dedication to quality, it also raises a critical question in today’s resource-conscious world: what happens when flooring reaches the end of its lifespan?
In an industry where longevity is valued, the removal and disposal of flooring can generate significant waste. That is why we now view flooring not just as a static product but as a valuable resource that can be recovered, repurposed, and reused in a circular system.
Tackling the Challenge of Circularity
As a leading Australian flooring manufacturer, we are committed to advancing product circularity — a growing priority for architects and designers focused on regeneration, resource efficiency, and end-of-life recovery.
“At GH Commercial, we believe in better,” says Strategic Account Manager Lachlan Howell. “It shapes how we make decisions, reinvest in our planet and people, advocate for change, and share progress with our customers and the wider design community.”
However, transitioning to circularity brings challenges for a sector built on endurance. Flooring’s long life, high material intensity, reliance on finite resources, potential hazardous substances in older products, and considerable carbon footprint make recovery complex. Regulatory and market pressures toward Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) further reinforce the need for change.
“Enhancing product circularity is a strategic priority for GH Commercial,” Lachlan notes. “It’s key to reducing environmental impacts and building a positive legacy for future generations.”
The Industry Reality
Achieving complete circularity is complicated. Multi-layered construction makes separation difficult, contamination occurs during use, recycling infrastructure is inconsistent, and removal is labour-intensive. Transporting bulky used materials adds to the carbon footprint, and multiple stakeholders in the supply chain complicate consistent end-of-life handling.
ReCover: Closing the Loop
Through our ReCover stewardship program, we are addressing flooring waste and trialling innovations to advance circularity:
- Loop Program – Extends the life of eligible GH Commercial carpet tiles, including those from other brands, through take-back, grading, and reuse.
- 3R Program – Focuses on broadloom carpets, modular carpets, hybrid, and vinyl flooring for repurposing or recycling.
- Packaging Take-Back – Recovers waste beyond flooring materials.
Investing in Circular Innovation
We continue to increase recycled content in our products and explore new materials. In 2023, we launched Enviro Bac Lite®, a lightweight cushion backing made with around 85% recycled content, without compromising performance. We are also developing new backing technologies for easier removal and reuse.
A Collaborative Journey
Circularity requires industry-wide collaboration. We advocate for investment in local manufacturing and textile recycling and partner with organisations like RMIT University and Textile Recyclers Australia to find new uses for waste carpet fibres, including enhancing concrete properties. Another partnership regenerated approximately 70 tonnes of pre-consumer nylon yarn waste into 100% recycled yarn.
“Circularity in flooring is not a solo mission,” Lachlan says. “Every stakeholder — from material sourcing to end-of-life recovery — plays a role. By aligning goals, co-investing in infrastructure, and addressing waste from the start, we can turn challenges into solutions.”
Manufacturers, specifiers, recyclers, waste managers, policymakers, and end-users all share responsibility. By rethinking design and end-of-life processes, GH Commercial is helping to create a resource-efficient industry that treats materials as assets rather than waste.
