I’m pleased to announce that we have a new collaborative partner, “No Floor No More” (NFNM) in St Albans. We’re excited about working together to capture and share stories that highlight the social challenges faced by individuals in our community.
Since 2022, NFNM has been a crucial recycling point for carpets and flooring that have only been used for a short time at events and in the TV, film, and entertainment industries. Instead of these materials ending up in landfill, NFNM reuses them in homes, benefiting people who would otherwise struggle to afford flooring and those aiming for a more sustainable lifestyle.
The story of NFNM began when Pia, the founder, advertised her used laminate on a recycling site. She quickly noticed that many of the people inquiring had something in common—they were often allocated council housing with bare floors, sometimes living on cement or floorboards for over a year because they couldn’t afford flooring. Seeing this need, Pia started helping individuals recycle carpets, rugs, and laminate. She then reached out to companies for end-of-line material, which led to the inception of NFNM as a not-for-profit organisation.
NFNM offers these recycled materials at affordable prices, with a special pricing category for families on benefits. Volunteers who contribute their time to the company also get first refusal on new stock. Pia soon realised that cost wasn’t the only barrier—logistics played a role too. To address this, she partnered with Akers Removals, making it possible to deliver large rolls of carpet to those in need.
Pia strongly believes that flooring shouldn’t be a luxury item. A furnished home plays a crucial role in both mental and physical well-being. It’s heartwarming to hear stories like that of a father who thanked Pia because it was finally safe for his baby to learn to crawl, or the woman who used cardboard boxes to try and keep her baby and toddler warm before receiving help from NFNM.
Since its inception, NFNM has recycled flooring that would have otherwise been incinerated or sent to landfill, helping over 1,200 families make their houses feel like homes while also reducing the carbon footprint of companies involved.
There are multiple wins with this initiative:
- Environmental Benefit: Businesses and individuals use NFNM as a recycling point, improving their sustainability. Large amounts of vinyl and carpet, often used only briefly at events, are saved from incineration or landfill.
- Reuse of Unwanted Flooring: These materials get a new lease on life, making houses into homes.
- Improved Heat Retention: The fitting of carpets and lino helps improve heat retention in homes.
- Increased Access to Flooring: NFNM makes flooring accessible to those who might struggle to afford it, improving their physical and mental well-being.
One touching example is a woman from a women’s refuge who was given a council flat. She had cardboard boxes all over her apartment, trying to keep her four-month-old baby and two-year-old toddler warm. Thanks to NFNM, she now has proper flooring. Stories like these remind us of the significant impact this project is making.
Pia’s work is a true example of how recycling can create a positive ripple effect in the community, supporting both sustainability and social well-being.
