Shaw's EcoMade rugs, manufactured by the Shaw Living division, have received Cradle to Cradle Silver Certification from third-party organization McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC). According to Shaw, the company is the first rug maker in the industry to receive the honor.

“As the only 100 percent closed-loop, cradle-to-cradle rug currently available in the industry, Cradle to Cradle certification is a perfect fit for EcoMade rugs. This certification simply reinforces our message about the environmental preference of Shaw products,” said Jeff Brown, vp of Shaw Living.

EcoMade rugs are made of Type 6 nylon manufactured by Shaw Industries. Type 6 nylon is a closed-loop fiber that can be recycled into new nylon fiber repeatedly. Post-consumer carpet and rugs made of Type 6 nylon can be collected and sent to Shaw’s Evergreen Nylon Recycling operation in Augusta, Ga. Evergreen employs patented technology that converts post-consumer Type 6 nylon into caprolactam, the building block of this fiber. To date, Shaw has recycled over 160 million pounds of Type 6 nylon carpet and rug fiber, which is more than any other mill in the industry…combined.  

EcoMade rugs are supported by a complete recycling program. When the time comes for a consumer to recycle the rug, the process is easy and cost-free, Shaw noted. Consumers may call the toll-free number provided on the product or visit shawfloors.com/ecomade to request postage-paid envelopes for the area rugs which are mailed directly to a consumer’s home. Complete recycling instructions are provided on the product label.

MBDC’s Cradle to Cradle certification process looks at a number of factors that contribute to a product’s suitability, including the use of environmentally safe and healthy materials, design for recycling, water and energy efficiency, and social responsibility.