Environment

Mayer Fabrics Evolution of Vinyl Statement

Designers specifying for challenging environments have long favored vinyl for its durability, cleanability, and affordability. Evolving vinyl formulations in the Mayer Fabrics’ product offering are a great next step in the material’s eco journey. They retain performance qualities and pliability while addressing important concerns.

Evolving vinyl patterns are:

• Free of PFAS - long-lasting chemicals used across a wide range of products and may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals.
• Free of phthalates - softening agents for vinyl used as upholstery containing chemicals that can be endocrine disruptors with chronic exposure.
• Prop 65 compliant - a California measure intended to reduce toxic substances in drinking water.
• Available HPD. The Health Product Declaration provides for the disclosure of product contents and potential associated human environmental health hazards.
• GREENGUARD Certified - emission testing for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in products contributing to indoor air quality.

Mayer Fabrics works proactively with its supply chain and industry leaders to understand the latest research and regulations surrounding substances. We are committed to doing our part in this journey to protect human health and the environment.

Chemical Additive Removal

Based on state and federal regulations in the marketplace, (specifically California AB-2998), Mayer Fabrics began working with our supply chain on reformulating some of our coated patterns to remove to Fire Retardant (FR) additives in 2019. Several patterns have been transitioned to Antimicrobial (AM) and Antibacterial (AB) free as well. This is similar to the push to remove phthalates in recent years. We also proactively launched products that were specifically developed as FR, AB and AM free. These changes were made in an effort to provide environmentally friendly products based on trending requests from the industry.

Our customer service team is working diligently to provide timely information to all of our customers on the inventory status of the patterns that are transitioning to a new formulation. Please communicate your requirements on your orders to us and we will strive to assist you with the appropriate product as we all work to comply with the ever-changing standards in the textile market.

PFAS Free + Mayer Fabrics

Over the last several years, attention to a category of chemical substances called Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) has increased. The major focus of concern has been contaminated drinking water, but its reach has broadened to cover their ubiquitous presence in a variety of consumer products, including performance fabrics.

In 2018 Mayer Fabrics launched their C-Zero (PFAS Free Collection) which was the first of its kind, and since the beginning of 2021, Mayer Fabrics has not introduced any products containing PFAS finishes. As of January 2022, only PFAS-free patterns have been developed and currently, more than 50% of Mayer’s product line is PFAS Free. Beginning in September 2022, Mayer Fabrics has initiated a transition process to phase out PFAS on all patterns previously launched with all stain repellants containing the chemical compounds; PFAS.

This transition process includes 93 Mayer patterns, and while some are predicted to be completed by the end of 2023, others will take longer, potentially extending into 2024.

Mayer is actively collaborating with their supply chain and ACT: Association for Contract Textiles to stay abreast of the current provisions concerning PFAS in the marketplace and to proactively stay ahead of the ever-changing PFAS requirements.

At Mayer Fabrics sustainability and the environment has always been at the forefront of their brand and that will continue to remain a focus for years to come.

To review the complete Mayer PFAS-Free Press Release, please download it here.

GREENGUARD^® Certification

GREENGUARD Certification is part of UL. GREENGUARD Certification helps manufacturers create — and helps buyers identify interior products and materials that have low chemical emissions, improving the quality of the air in which the products are used.

Mayer Fabrics has achieved GREENGUARD Certification on our coated products and GREENGUARD Gold Certification on our woven products. These certifications require Mayer’s fabrics meet some of the most rigorous chemical emissions standards in the world, including being screened for over 10,000 chemicals. This provides assurance that Mayer’s products contribute to creating healthier indoor environments. Since 2010 this certification has been a part of our commitment to the sensitivity of today’s designers, the well-being of end users and the sustainability of our environment.

Certificates are available for download on our individual pattern pages. For questions contact greenguard@mayerfabrics.com

UPS CarbonNeutral^®

In 2010, Mayer Fabrics became the 2nd company nationally to be certified as a shipper in the UPS Carbon Neutral program. UPS is the first small package carrier to offer its customers the ability to offset the carbon dioxide emissions generated by the transport of their packages within the United States.

Recycling

ZeroLandfill Indy

ZeroLandfill Indy diverts expired samples from architects + interior designers from the waste stream. Local artists and educators are invited to come and pick up fabric swatches, tiles, carpet squares and more and utilize them for arts and crafts projects in their community and schools. Since 2006, 1,000,000 lbs. have been repurposed. Mayer Fabrics is proud to have hosted this event and participate each year with donations of memo samples that would otherwise end up in a landfill.

Samples

With respect for our commitment to Carbon Neutrality, Mayer Fabrics requests that you save memo samples for your sales rep to collect on their next visit. Do you still have a relationship with your Alma Mater? We would love for these samples to make their way into the hands of design students for their projects. We also encourage you to donate them locally to a daycare center, school, assisted living program, or worship center where they can be reimagined in their art and craft programs. If you have 25 or more samples to return, please contact customerservice@mayerfabrics.com for return instructions.

Pallet Recycling

Our pallets are sent to a local partner where they are graded and sorted. Most can be repaired for continued use. The balance is converted into wood fuel or animal bedding for livestock. 100% of our pallets are recycled.

Cardboard Recycling

Mayer Fabrics partners with another family owned Indianapolis business to recycle our used cardboard. This program has allowed us to recycled 63 tons of cardboard since 2010.

Recycled and Heat Recovered Waste

Mayer Fabrics disposes of approximately 23 tons in heat recovered waste per year. Waste is taken to a transfer station where it is sorted into what can be recycled and what will go to the landfill. The Subtitle D Landfill captures the gas from the waste and it is dispersed and used again – turning waste into energy.

Tube Take Back

As you may be aware, all of our fabrics are rolled on heavy duty cardboard tubes. Although these tubes can be used multiple times, they are often discarded after one use. Our local manufacturers and upholstery shops return their tubes to Mayer Fabrics for re-use in our warehousing facility. Tubes that cannot be re-used are added to our cardboard recycling program.

Recycle My Sunbrella

Join our partner, Sunbrella to keep fabric waste from entering landfills with the Recycle My Sunbrella program.

For more than 25 years, Sunbrella has recycled acrylic manufacturing waste and delivered it to partners who convert the materials into industrial products such as felt, automotive insulation and filtration.

In 2010, Sunbrella started the Recycle My Sunbrella program that allows domestic consumers to participate in their recycling process. This is a special take-back program that provides an alternative to disposal for fabric scraps, awning covers, boat covers and upholstery fabric. Since the inception of the program, business partners and homeowners have recycled more than 600,000 pounds of fabric.

Send your used Sunbrella fabric to Recycle My Sunbrella.

Transparency Initiative

Toxnot

Mayer Fabrics is proud to announce we are working with Toxnot. Toxnot is a software company with a mission to improve health and sustainability across the global supply chain by streamlining the chemical transparency process. Toxnot provides an efficient system for manufacturers to import chemicals data, provide insight into their hazard profiles, report on the results and create safer products. Organizations are able to automate transparency reporting and collect hazard information across their global supply chain, reducing risks. Toxnot scales from small businesses to Fortune 500 enterprises, and is the only free source of searchable GreenScreen^® List Translator scores. In 2017, Toxnot won the Environmental Leader Product of the Year Award. https://toxnot.com/

This partnership will allow Mayer Fabrics to gather supply chain data, track product compliance, design safer products and streamline reporting relative to:

• California Prop 65
• Chemicals of Concern
• Conflict Minerals
• Cradle to Cradle | MBDC
• Facts (NSF/ANSI 336-2011
• Health Product Declarations (HPD)
• International Living Future Institute | Declare labeling
• LEEDv4 Manufacturer Inventories
• Living Building Challenge 4.0 Red List
• Mindful MATERIALS Library
• REACH
• RoHS
• WELL Building Standard Restricted Materials
• And more...

Million Tree Challenge

Mayer Fabrics partnered with One Tree Planted to join the Million Tree Challenge in 2021.

One Tree Planted is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to global reforestation. They plant trees to restore nature and biodiversity. They also raise awareness about the importance of trees, offer businesses like ours a simple sustainability solution, and motivate younger generations to do something positive for the environment.

The Million Tree Challenge, supported by their reforestation partner One Tree Planted, is planting 1 million trees in 150 National Forests across 43 states in the US that are in need of restoration.

As an official partner, Mayer Fabrics has committed to planting a minimum of 10,000 trees. By supporting the Million Tree Challenge, Mayer Fabrics is:

• Conserving wildlife species
• Combating climate change
• Restoring wildfire sites
• Benefiting local communities

To learn more about One Tree Planted and the Million Tree Challenge, please visit onetreeplanted.org.

Seaqual Initiative

Mayer Fabrics joined the SEAQUAL INITIATIVE in 2022, with the introduction of SEAQUAL® YARN inspired patterns Caspian and Mira.

SEAQUAL INITIATIVE works with NGOs, fishermen, authorities, and local communities to help clean our oceans. Marine litter from our beaches, ocean floor and surface, rivers, and estuaries, is collected by clean-up programs. It is then sorted into different material types and the plastic portion is cleaned and transformed into Upcycled Marine Plastic.

Environmentally conscious brands and manufacturers then transform this new, fully traceable raw material into inspiring sustainable products for every aspect of our lives. Consumer purchasing power is one of the most powerful tools for change. In choosing products containing Upcycled Marine Plastic, you are helping to clean our oceans. TOGETHER FOR A CLEAN OCEAN.

Mayer Fabrics will continue to support the SEAQUAL INITIATIVE with additional SEAQUAL® YARN pattern introductions in the years to come.

View the SEAQUAL INITIATIVE COLLECTION.

Learn more about the SEAQUAL INITIATIVE at Seaqual.org