Shaw Receives Cradle to Cradle Certification

Dalton, GA, June 14, 2007-- Three products pioneered by Shaw Industries have been recognized with Cradle to Cradle Certification, contributing to U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED Green Building Rating System.

Shaw EcoWorx tile, EcoWorx Performance Broadloom and Eco Solution Q premium branded nylon are the only carpet products to receive Cradle to Cradle Silver Certification from MBDC (McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry), a thirdparty consultancy founded by the world-renowned architect William McDonough and innovative chemist Dr. Michael Braungart.

The Cradle to Cradle certification evaluates building and interior products for their human health, environmental and life cycle attributes. Recognizing the significance of this evaluation, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced in May that Cradle to Cradle Certification will be included within USGBC’s LEED Green Building Rating System and eligible for earning Innovation in Design points.

“Cradle to Cradle Certification is in harmony with our guiding principle of reconciling human activities with nature, and cuts a trail for exciting new directions in LEED to address the impacts of materials in the building industry in a much more sophisticated scientific manner,” said Tom Hicks, Vice President of LEED.

EcoWorx tile, EcoWorx Performance Broadloom and Eco Solution Q are among the first products in the world with fullyoperating systems to collect and return materials to the manufacturing process after use, keeping carpet from landfills.

Shaw EcoWorx recovery system in Cartersville, Ga. and Evergreen nylon recycling facility in Augusta Ga., the only ones of their kind in the world, maintain these materials in continuous loops, reducing the energy and raw materials needed to manufacture new product. Shaw will recycle 100 million pounds of post consumer nylon 6 carpet at Evergreen in 2007.

“Shaw is setting new standards for sustainability by designing its products as technical nutrients that can be recirculated in the manufacturing cycle of renewal,” said McDonough. “This helps expand the environmental focus to what’s being used, reused or recycled and not just on the amount of recycled content.”

EcoWorx tile, EcoWorx Performance Broadloom and Eco Solution Q received Cradle to Cradle Silver Certification for the use of environmentally safe and healthy materials; design for material reutilization; use of renewable energy and energy efficiency; efficient use of water and maximum water quality associated with production; and instituting strategies for social responsibility.

Related Topics:Shaw Industries Group, Inc.