Designer Contracts marks a sustainability milestone, updating SpringBond Eco-Step underlay to deliver stronger performance while diverting millions of plastic bottles
Designer Contracts, the UK’s largest flooring contractor, has celebrated its milestone achievement in diverting 5.5million plastic bottles from the world’s oceans through sales of the groundbreaking eco-underlay, SpringBond, with the introduction of an updated version of its Eco-Step 8mm specification.
The eco-friendly alternative to PU foam, felt and rubber underlay, SpringBond Eco-Step is manufactured in the UK and made from a minimum of 82% recycled fibres. Back in 2019, Designer Contracts worked closely with Think Group to launch the product (in 7mm and 9mm thicknesses) which is fully recyclable at the end of its life.
SpringBond Eco-Step 8mm
It later introduced the SpringBond Eco-Step 8mm option which has now been reconstructed to achieve a heavy contract rating. As with the 9mm and 7mm FR specifications, the new product is seven times stronger than standard PU.
Each roll of SpringBond contains over 180 PET plastic bottles, eco-engineered in a Z-shape structure to create natural bounce back, increased consistency and zero lumps and bumps. It is also virtually VOC emission free for healthier living spaces, has no additional chemicals and is inherently flame-resistant without harmful additives.
Using SpringBond in an average three-bedroomed house saves over 1,000 bottles from landfill and offers users a number of benefits. It is lightweight, dust-free, and has excellent thermal and acoustic properties – perfect for homeowners who are conscious about reducing their carbon footprint, without compromising performance.
SpringBond transforms recycled plastic bottles into high-performance underlay, diverting plastic waste from oceans and landfills and creating a sustainable lifecycle for single-use plastics.
The underlay solution delivers multiple advantages for housebuilders too – including regulatory compliance and helping to meet increasingly stringent environmental building regulations. It also contributes to sustainable construction certifications.
Other environmental considerations for housebuilders include supply chain sustainability. SpringBond’s efficient production processes minimise environmental impact while local manufacturing reduces transportation emissions. Its consistency and long-term durability also reduces replacement frequency. That, in turn, helps housebuilders achieve broader environmental goals through circular economy leadership.
Environmental Certification
SpringBond has a certified Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) certification – something which is rapidly shifting from a ‘nice-to-have’ to ‘must-have’ standard.
EPD certification is internationally recognised and provides transparent, verified environmental impact data across the product’s entire lifecycle – from manufacturing to end-of-life management. Meeting EPD requirements involves rigorous third-party verification of environmental performance; provides complete lifecycle assessment data; demonstrates quantifiable environmental impacts; and meets strict international standards for environmental reporting.
Said Designer Contract’s commercial director Louise Walters: “Our relationship with Think Group goes back several years and we have received their Platinum Award for our part in preventing millions of plastic bottles from polluting the world’s oceans.
“At Designer Contracts we’re passionate about doing our bit for the environment and our commitment has been reflected in our long-established and multi-award-winning carpet recycling scheme which has been recognised with some 15 different sustainability awards and commendations over the last 10 years.
“Over the years we have worked closely with Think Group to ensure that environmental benefits never compromise performance, making SpringBond the ideal choice for sustainable construction projects.”
Discove rmore: www.DesignerContracts.com
