Mannington Commercial and 3M Canada Co. are teaming up to reclaim the large-format graphics used in the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games. After the games are over Feb. 28, the graphics will be turned into high recycled content flooring. About 200,000 sq. ft. of graphics seen during the games on vehicles and key venues such as the Richmond Olympic Oval and the Pacific Coliseum are included.

When planning for the building and vehicle graphics, 3M Canada looked for ways to reclaim the wraps after use. "We learned about Mannington's precedent for recycling mixed waste similar to our graphic materials into flooring," said Richard Chartrand, vp display and graphics business, 3M Canada. "Most recycling facilities would quickly turn away from the colorful, irregular shaped lumps that the graphics result in after use, but Mannington was up for the challenge."

"One of the simplest ways to conserve resources is to reuse what you can," noted Dave Kitts, Mannington vp-environment. "We've found second lives for many flooring products and were intrigued by the opportunity presented by 3M Canada."

Mannington will recycle the graphics into Premium Tile, a product made using post-consumer waste streams including drywall and VCT reclaimed from renovation sites. Premium Tile is certified as an Environmentally Preferable Product, meeting the rigorous requirements of NSF-332-2007 certification.

"As we have innovated to grow our recycling capabilities, we have been looking for waste streams to increase the amount of post-consumer content that we can use in our products,” stated John Emmons, director of commercial manufacturing at Mannington. “The arrangement was not only a great way to support this 3M Canada initiative; it also made very good business sense."

“3M’s graphics will create a dramatic visual impact at the 2010 Winter Games, and our partnership with Mannington will help limit our environmental impact after the Games end,” added 3M Canada’s Chartrand. “3M considers this recycling program a significant step in the right direction for creating a positive environmental shift in our industry.”

For more information, visit 3m.ca/2010.