It's what we do.

Climate Change and GHGs

Climate change is a complex, global issue that requires a global response. No one can solve problems at this scale by itself, but we can each contribute to an effort that enables all of us to create a wave of change for the better. 

Shaw’s strategy is to first reduce our energy consumption, then switch to cleaner fuels; to produce renewable energy at our own facilities; and to incentivize additional renewable energy development and usage through the purchase of renewable energy credits. These efforts include installing a 1 MW solar array atop our carpet tile manufacturing facility in Cartersville, Ga. in 2013 and a combined heat and power (CHP) system in our fiber production facility in Columbia, S.C. The CHP, which began operating in May 2018, reduces the plant’s annual greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 26,000 metric tonnes. That’s an impact equal to removing almost 5,500 passenger vehicles from the road each year.  

Shaw has achieved carbon neutrality in our commercial carpet manufacturing operations. The milestone includes all commercial carpet manufacturing facilities that Shaw owns and operates globally, including those for Patcraft, Philadelphia Commercial, Shaw Contract and STS. Powered by progress, Shaw is committed to sustaining human ability through our focus on climate change and GHGs.

Waste

As a manufacturer, we love making things. Especially a second life for materials that would traditionally be discarded as waste. 

Shaw has done just that by continually finding viable uses for a wider variety of single-use plastic bottles. First, turning clear plastic bottles into carpet fiber. Then, incorporating those harder-to-use green plastic bottles into our Ecologix backing. 

Most recently, we enhanced our efforts to turn plastic bottles into flooring in two key ways. We found new outlets for recycled plastic bottles with our newly unveiled PET resilient flooring that will be available from Shaw Contract and Patcraft. And we took a step forward in our ability to process lower-value plastic. As we invested $250 million in our Andalusia, Ala. facility, we expanded upon innovative technology used in other Shaw facilities to be able to process more recycled PET and to use a broader range of clear plastic bottles while maintaining the quality of the final product. 

These efforts result in Shaw using more than 2.5 billion recycled plastic bottles per year in its products -- since 2009.

Beyond plastic bottles,we consistently categorize, measure and channel waste toward the best possible use, whether repurposed within our own manufacturing processes, or used by other industries. Detailed insights help identify opportunities for improvement—allowing us to reduce our waste by millions of pounds.

Green Buildings

Shaw recognizes the potential impacts of our buildings as key contributors to emissions, energy usage, waste and land use as well as the opportunity to have a positive impact on people. Our approach to our facilities reflects the company’s overall commitment to sustainability. Throughout our wide range of building types, from manufacturing facilities to administrative and sales offices to showrooms and recycling centers, we take engage economically responsible, environmentally smart approaches to reducing the energy, water, carbon and waste impacts of our buildings.

Through our products, our operations and our facilities, we’re committed to creating a better future.