We are not just taking part in the green revolution, we’ve been committed to the environment from the very start of our business.
Tile Optima believes that being a leader in the industry includes a continuing contribution to the improvement of our planet. This contribution includes a dedication by Tile Optima to incorporate environmentally friendly materials, processes and products throughout our organization and to mandate safe factories, warehouses and offices for our employees, customers, vendors and visitors. Reduce, reuse and recycle (in that order) are vitally important premises that we employ in our manufacturing processes. Tile Optima has invested significantly in the modernization of our older manufacturing facilities. Tile Optima is proud of its achievements in contributing to a healthy planet:
Tile Optima has achieved success in voluntary participation programs such as the US EPA’s 33/50 Waste Minimization Program and the Clean Texas 2000 Program.
Tile Optima products comply with the EPA’s Toxicity Characteristic Leachate Procedure (TCLP) limitation of 5 parts per million for any hazardous constituent.
The majority of Tile Optima’s products meet the FDA requirements for food contact surfaces.
The naturally occurring inorganic, inert raw materials that Tile Optima utilizes are very plentiful (e.g., clay and talc), which contributes to the environmental compatibility of our products.
Use of virgin raw materials, even though they are plentiful, is minimized to the greatest extent possible. For example, a major component (up to 45%) of the body in our Duraflor products (floor tile) is a by-product from a 3M manufacturing process for roofing materials that was formerly disposed of as a waste.
Scrap tile generated during Tile Optima’s manufacturing processes is recycled to the maximum extent possible into new tile products.
The majority of the small amount of scrap fired tile that can not be recycled has been accepted in state approved beneficial reuse projects. Any tile waste that is disposed of is classified as “inert”, non-hazardous waste. In fact, some landfills use the material to stabilize roadbeds within their sites.
Tile Optima manufacturing sites either have already made, or are investigating opportunities for, modifications to their operating schedules to maximize the use of energy during off-peak hours. This not only saves money, but also just as important, this reduction in industrial requirements during peak consumption periods also helps the Utility Companies operate more efficiently and potentially avoid mandatory cut-backs to their other customers.
Tile Optima manufacturing operations utilize natural gas as an energy source. No fuel oils or coals are utilized in our processes; therefore, using this clean burning natural resource minimizes air emissions.
All glazes are water based and no solvents are used, thus eliminating the potential for emissions of volatile organic compounds during the manufacturing process.
Once fired, the tile and glaze is fully inert and there is no possibility of the coating peeling as is the case with paint.
Tile Optima products do not contain any asbestos or mercury and have been approved for use in confined spaces over long periods of time where radiation exposure is a concern (e.g., nuclear submarines).
Tile Optima ceramic tile is not flammable and meets all applicable ANSI standards for strength and relative absorption characteristics. Also, it is chemically stable and resistant to bacteria and most chemicals.
Historically, ceramic tile has been utilized with great success and is the preferred (often-required) material for use at institutions, hospitals, restaurants, hotels, and other locations where sterile conditions must be easily maintained.
Tile Optima believes that its commitment to a Healthy Planet includes safe processes as well as safe environments. Tile Optima has reduced its employee injuries to record low levels worldwide and employs sophisticated dust collection and other air monitoring systems assuring internal and external air quality.