Interface Founder Anderson Dies

Webster defines a leader as “someone that shows the way” and “an important, influential person”.  Can anyone dispute that Ray Anderson was a “leader” in the field of sustainability?

He carried the torch as one of the most progressive thinkers and doers of our time. Although I never had the good fortune to meet him in person, he has still influenced me on a personal and professional level through his publishings and lectures.
Ray founded Interface in 1973 to produce free-lay carpet tiles. The benefit was of course if one tile was damaged, it could be replaced solely without having to throw away the entire carpet. 

But Anderson took it a step further.  In 1994, he challenged his company to redirect its industrial practices to include a focus on sustainability without sacrificing its business goals – enter the “Mission Zero” commitment.  Simply defined, the Mission Zero commitment is their promise to eliminate any negative impact Interface has on the environment by 2020.

Anderson didn’t just want Interface to achieve a few quick wins only to take their foot off the accelerator.  No, his vision was “To be the first company that, by its deeds, shows the entire industrial world what sustainability is in all its dimensions: people, process, product, place and profits – and in doing so, become restorative through the power of influence.”

16 Year Progress Report

• Energy usage is down 43% per unit
• The use of renewable energy has increased by 30%
• The amount of greenhouse gas released has dropped by 44%
• The amount of waste sent to landfill is down 77%
• The amount of water used per unit is down 80%
• The amount of recycled and biobased raw materials is up 36%

These are all steps taken in the right direction should they achieve their goal of making “closed loop”¹ products by 2020.

Fringe Benefits

In addition to all the positive environmental benefits achieved to date, Interface has also avoided over $450 million in costs, increased sales by 63 percent and more than doubled earnings. 

Now who can possibly convince me that incorporating sustainability into a company’s overall business strategy will negatively impact a company’s bottom line?  In my past roles, identifying annual cost avoidances nearing $30 million would have made for a great year-end bonus for all!

Who will be so bold as to follow in Ray’s shoes and set such exigent sustainability goals for the company’s they lead?  In all honesty, we need all business leaders to infuse corporate stewardship into their overall business strategy if we’re going to save the planet while maximizing profits.

Definitions:
¹ Closed loop – A method to envision, design and make products that steps away from the traditional linear take-make-waste industrial model and adopts a cyclical model based on nature.