Shaw's Clear Path Recycling Begins Operations

Dalton, GA, July 30, 2010--Clear Path Recycling, a joint venture company established by Shaw Industries and DAK Americas, began processing operations in July.

Created to produce Recycled PET (RPET) from post-consumer PET bottles, Clear Path Recycling said it will bring the first phase of its Fayetteville, North Carolina facility to full capacity in the fourth quarter of this year.

The formation of Clear Path Recycling was announced in April 2009. Since construction began on the recycling facility, 57 full-time positions have been created.

The RPET processed through Clear Path Recycling is now being used as recycled content for use in Shaw’s ClearTouch residential carpeting products.

“Shaw’s ClearTouch products will utilize the RPET produced through the Clear Path Recycling operation,” said David Wilkerson, corporate director of sustainability and product stewardship.

“Consumers are seeking environmentally friendly products for their home at an increasing pace and ClearTouch carpet styles deliver performance and style along with the environmental advantage of certified 25% recycled content.”

Producing polyester yarn with recycled content through Clear Path Recycling consumes less energy than extruding a completely virgin product, the company said.

By the end of the first phase of the project ramp-up, the operation can consume up to 160 million pounds of PET bottles, which will save over 550,000 cubic yards of landfill space each year.

The energy savings related to the Clear Path Recycling operation will save approximately 1.4 trillion BTUs of energy annually, which is equal to the amount of primary energy necessary to power over 10,000 U.S. homes per year, according to Energy Information Administration data.

This energy savings will contribute to Shaw’s 25% energy intensity reduction pledge by 2018.

Related Topics:Shaw Industries Group, Inc.