How Mohawk carpet tiles help buildings achieve BREEAM and LEED certification

Sustainable building standards are rapidly reshaping the architecture, real estate and fit-out industries. Certification systems such as BREEAM and LEED have become essential indicators of environmental performance, energy efficiency and user wellbeing in modern commercial buildings. One of the easiest ways to improve a project’s score is choosing the right interior finish materials, including flooring.

Mohawk, a global leader in sustainable flooring solutions, offers carpet tiles designed to fully support green building requirements. Below we explain how Mohawk carpets contribute directly to BREEAM and LEED points, making them an excellent choice for environmentally certified buildings.

Mohawk flooring and green building certifications — why it performs so well

Both BREEAM and LEED evaluate materials based on environmental impact, low emissions, life-cycle performance and user comfort. Mohawk carpet tiles score highly because they meet key sustainability criteria:
  • certified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)
  • low VOC emissions and top indoor air quality ratings
  • high recycled content (ECONYL®, recycled PET)
  • circular design principles and recyclable components
  • excellent acoustic performance, important in modern office spaces
Choosing Mohawk flooring makes it easier for investors, architects and contractors to meet certification requirements and improve overall scoring.

EPDs – the most important document for BREEAM and LEED

One of the most frequently searched Google queries in this category is:
“EPD carpet tiles”, “flooring with EPD”, “BREEAM compliant flooring”, “LEED approved carpet”.
EPD certification is essential for green building documentation.
Why EPD matters
Many Mohawk collections carry verified Environmental Product Declarations, which help projects earn points in:
  • BREEAM MAT 01 / MAT 03 – Life Cycle Assessment, Responsible Sourcing
  • LEED MRc2 – Building Product Disclosure and Optimization (EPDs)
For projects aiming for BREEAM Excellent/Outstanding or LEED Gold/Platinum, EPD-verified materials are often required—not optional.

Low VOC emissions – improving indoor air quality and scoring

Indoor air quality is one of the most heavily weighted categories in green certification systems. Keyword phrases indexed by Google include:
  • “low VOC carpet”,
  • “LEED low emitting materials”,
  • “carpet tiles for healthy buildings”.
Mohawk carpets meet the highest standards:
  • CRI Green Label Plus
  • European VOC classes A+ and M1
  • full compliance with LEED v4.1 Low Emitting Materials
This directly supports:
  • BREEAM HEA 02 Indoor Air Quality
  • LEED IEQ Low Emitting Materials
Using low-emission flooring is one of the simplest ways to secure multiple points in both systems.

High recycled content – supporting circularity and material optimization

Search trends show growing interest in terms such as:
“recycled carpet tiles”, “ECONYL carpet”, “sustainable commercial flooring”.
Mohawk integrates recycled materials across many product lines, including:
  • ECONYL® regenerated nylon
  • recycled PET
  • low-carbon backing systems
This supports:
  • LEED MRc3 – Material Optimization
  • BREEAM credits related to materials and Life Cycle Assessment
Recycled materials reduce embodied carbon and increase the building’s sustainability score.

Modular construction – less waste, more points

Google ranks articles describing “modular flooring”, “environmentally friendly carpet tiles”, and “circular economy flooring”. Mohawk is a leader in modular flooring systems.
Mohawk carpet tiles:
  • significantly reduce installation waste,
  • are easy to replace individually,
  • support reuse and recycling programs,
  • extend the life cycle of the interior finish.
These features contribute to BREEAM credits such as WST 01 Waste Minimisation and reinforce LEED material optimization credits.

Acoustic performance – an important benefit in office environments

In open-plan workplaces, acoustic comfort is a key factor for user wellbeing. High-quality carpet tiles like Mohawk’s improve sound absorption and reduce impact noise. This supports LEED IEQ Acoustic Performance, especially in commercial office projects

Summary — why are Mohawk carpets the best choice for buildings with BREEAM and LEED certification?

Thanks to the combination of:
✔ comprehensive EPD documentation,
✔ low VOC emissions,
✔ sustainably sourced materials,
✔ a modular construction approach,
✔ enhanced acoustic performance.
Mohawk carpets are among the most effective solutions for boosting a project’s BREEAM and LEED scores.

They offer a smart choice for investors, architects, and fit-out companies committed to creating modern, healthy, and environmentally conscious interiors.