DESIGNING FOR A GREENER FUTURE

Fabrica's corporate commitment to "Quality without Compromise" encompasses every aspect of our business, not the least of which is our responsibility to the environment. Since our founding in 1974, Fabrica has consistently performed in ways designed to take the best possible care of the delicate natural beauty of our California home. From our fibers to our manufacuturing floor, Fabrica has implemented a system of best practices for waste and energy management, water conservation and pollution prevention quality by the American Flooring Association and was named the premier mill in the United States by top retailers.

RECYCLING

Fabrica has instituted an extensive recyling program throughout our facility, diverting tens of thousands of pounds of water from landfills every year.

• Scrap metal, Plastic sheeting
• Backed and unbacked carpet waste is bundled for reprocessing into a variety of useful products.
• End-of-lot and waste yarns.
• Obsolete computer equipment is sent to a recycling facility for closed loop recycling
• Mechanical separation and not inceneration ensures minimal environmental impact by converting electronic waste into useable raw materials.
• Cardboard, Paper
• Fiber waste from shearing process.
• Manufacturing chemicals are delivered in reuseable containers that are returned to the supplier and reused.

WATER CONSERVATION

Fabrica partners with the Orange County Water District's Green Acres Project, a water recycling effort that provides reclaimed or "gray water" for widespread regional landscape irriagtion projects, such as schools, parks, golf courses, as well as some industrial uses. Every gallon of reclaimed water Fabrica uses saves a gallon of fresh water for drinking or other purposes. Fabrica makes use of reclaimed water in the carpet manufacturing process, and wastewater is used to cool large pieces of equipment. Continued process improvement and conservation efforts have significantly reduced Fabrica's annual water consumption.

ENERGY CONSERVATION AND ALTERNATIVE FUEL SOURCES

Using a combination of conservation techniques and alternative energy sources, Fabrica has successfully lowered energy use levels, while at the same time increasing production capacities.

• Manufacturing equipment has undergone large-scale conversion to cleaner, low NOx (Nitrogen Oxides) technology.
• Existing dyeing unit was retrofitted to function with less than half the former energy consumption.
• All equipment has been fitted with Variable Frequency Drives to conserve energy.
• The 200,000 sq. ft. roof at Fabrica's Susan Street facility has been replaced with a Tile 24 Cool Roof. By using highly reflective materials, cool roofs stay 50-60ºF cooler, thereby lowering energy and maintenance costs, improving occupant comfort levels, and increasing the roof's life cycle.
• All propane-powered forklifts have been converted to electric.
• T-8 bulbs used in our facility save over an estimated 1/2 million kilowatt hours per year.
• Waste water heat is recovered and re-used in a heat exchange system, reducting energy throughout our dyeing process.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

Since 1993, Fabrica has participated in Southern California Edison's Interruptible program, which means Fabrica agrees to stop production and reduce to under 100KW during any time there is an electrical power shortage.

AWARDS

As a recipient of the prestigious WRAP Award from the California Waste Reduction Awards Program, Fabrica is recognized as an outstanding business leader for our implementation of waste reduction efforts. WRAP awards are administered by the California Integrated Waste Management Board.