OMNOVA Wallcoverings and the Environment.
Two Constructions with One Goal.
Recently, much has been written and debated about the effects of vinyl on the environment – including issues such as indoor air quality, product safety, emissions during production, recycled content, recycling and disposal. OMNOVA Solutions continues to take measures to ensure that our wallcovering products are constructed, produced and installed for optimum environmental performance, while also giving the interiors industry alternative solutions — as evidenced by our recent introductions of two new, eco-friendly wallcovering constructions:
RECORE™ Recycled Wall Technology is the industry's "best-in-class" recycled wall covering product. Featuring 30% recycled content — including a minimum of 20% post-consumer recycled content — RECORE diverts waste from landfills for reduced environmental impact, while contributing to LEED credits. Features include:
- 30% recycled content — Certified by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) to contain a minimum of 20% post consumer content
- Recyclable — through the OMNOVA Wallcovering Reclamation Program
- Contributes up to six LEED credits
- GREENGUARD Certified for low VOC emissions
- Meets California 01350 Specification for low VOC emissions
- Durable — Type II, 20-oz.
- Discriminating color and design
Bolta®, Essex™, and Genon® wallcoverings manufactured by OMNOVA after October 2008 utilize RECORE Advanced Wall Technology.
OMNOVA's Tower® wallcovering brand was relaunched in April 2010 with every design utilizing the RECORE Advanced Wall Technology platform. |
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ECORE™ Advanced Wall Technology sets the standard for "no compromise," eco-friendly wallcovering. Features a non-PVC construction that gives it Type II performance that is matched by a beautiful appearance. Features include:
- Energy-saving, non-PVC construction
- Recyclable — through the OMNOVA Wallcovering Reclamation Program
- Contributes up to four LEED credits
- GREENGUARD Certified for low VOC emissions
- Meets California 01350 Specification for low VOC emissions
- Breathable and lightweight
ECORE Advanced Wall Technology is featured in our AVANT™ and SCION™ wallcovering brands. |
Meanwhile, vinyl wallcoverings continue to be the industry standard. Extensive testing by industry and government sources, advanced manufacturing and recycling processes, as well as the chemistry behind the product, all make a strong case for vinyl as an environmentally smart material choice. The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Technical and Scientific Advisory Committee final report discussed in early 2007 reaffirmed its findings from 2004. Using both life cycle and risk assessment analyses, the report concluded that in the Council’s LEED rating system, a credit that rewards avoidance of PVC could steer decision makers toward using materials that may have a less desirable environmental profile.
Recycled content is increasingly important to architects, designers, specifiers, facility managers and other users of OMNOVA’s commercial wall covering products as they look for ways to reduce their environmental footprint. Products made with recycled content can help building developers and owners earn Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) credits when building or renovating interior environments. Scientific Certification Systems, a global leader in independent certification of environmental product claims, has certified that OMNOVA’s RECORE wallcoverings contain a minimum of 20% post-consumer recycled content.
Materials that emit lower levels of volatile organic compound (VOCs) can be considered an environmentally preferred choice – especially when they also offer durability, longevity, quality and value. OMNOVA’s performance in the area of indoor air quality has earned many of our vinyl wallcoverings, including all wallcoverings manufactured with RECORE Recycled Wall Technology, the coveted GREENGUARD INDOOR AIR QUALITY CERTIFIED designation, which recognizes products that have been tested and confirmed for low VOC emissions.
The Chemical Fabrics and Film Association (CFFA) and The Vinyl Institute have compiled information in response to the most frequently asked questions about vinyl and the environment.
Additional facts and information on these topics are available through the following organizations and web sites: