Shaw Industries recently released its 2016 sustainability report, highlighting progress toward its 2030 sustainability goals and other key metrics and initiatives. Chief among its accomplishments was that 85% of the products Shaw manufactures are now Cradle to Cradle Certified (based upon sales unit volume).

This achievement is a result of the recent addition of the company’s polyester carpet products to the already-existing portfolio of Cradle-to-Cradle Certified products. Among the most rigorous third-party assessment programs in the world, Cradle-to-Cradle Certified signifies the company’s strong performance in material health as well as recyclability, energy, water and social fairness.

“This report reflects our daily quest to help create safe, healthy spaces that foster innovation, promote healing, encourage learning, and bring people together,” said Paul Murray, Shaw vice president of sustainability and environmental affairs. “We are dedicated to carefully evaluating each advance in technology, chemistry, manufacturing, and processes to ensure that we are good stewards, using shared resources wisely to meet the diverse needs of all those who step foot on our products.”

Progress towards the company’s 2030 sustainability goals include:

  • a 36% reduction in actual vs. modeled water intensity since 2011, toward a goal of 50%
  • a 34% reduction in waste intensity since 2008, toward a goal of 100%
  •  25% reduction in actual vs. modeled Greenhouse Gas emissions intensity since 2010, toward a goal of 40%
  • a 16% reduction in actual vs. modeled energy intensity since 2011, toward a goal of 40%
  • a 40% reduction in OSHA incident rate since 2005, toward a goal of 100%

“Shaw is continuing to invest and evolve to succeed amidst ever accelerating change in every market in which we compete,” said Vance Bell, Shaw chairman and CEO. “Sustainability will continue to be an important catalyst for the sort of innovation that will drive our enduring success.”

Shaw’s sustainability report follows the Global Reporting Initiative framework and is third-party assured by Deloitte & Touche, LLP.

For more information, visit shawinc.com.