of Innova Design.
factor in the corporate interior-design field
over the last few years, there has been little
attention paid within the healthcare market.
from tried and tested materials, and partly
because the industry is fearful of making
environmental improvements in case
they impact on efficiency.
the general public that any practice willing to
use eco-friendliness as a point of difference
will reap the benefits.
the two key areas where implementing changes
can have a positive environmental impact.
available that look and wear like vinyl but are
made from 97% natural materials. Crafted
from linseed oil, jute and flax, these products
have a 30-year life cycle. They will not only
enhance the appearance of your surgery but
are extremely hard wearing and carry a very
small carbon footprint.
square metre of nylon carpet will use 16
megajoules of energy, 4.5 kilograms of non-
renewable materials and 1.7 litres of water.
acrylic all of which are petroleum-
based and thus not sustainable. The
synthetic fibres are backed by materials
such as latex, polyvinyl chloride (PVC),
4-phenylcylclohexene and polyurethane,
which are also petroleum-based, as are the
adhesives used to secure carpeting to floors
in some applications and the latex padding
used in others.
chemicals to repel stains and retard mildew
or fire. In addition to being non-sustainable
or renewable, carpet, backing, adhesives
and chemical treatments tend to release
volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), which
many people are sensitive to. Exposure can
result in a range of symptoms, including
runny and itchy eyes, breathing problems,
skin reactions and headaches. Even worse,
SB latex, which is used in 90% of carpets, is a
suspected carcinogen.
landfill and, until recently, not a lot of effort
has been expended toward recycling it.
reception floors can make a memorable first
impression. After all, what's more earth-
friendly than the earth itself?