Dalton, Ga. – August 30, 2018 – The 2017 sustainability report released today by Shaw Industries Group, Inc. (Shaw) focuses on the company’s continued efforts to “Create a Better Future” through a focus on safe, sustainable products and operations that contribute to healthier environments and preservation of natural resources.
“2017 was a positive year for Shaw, as we continued to accelerate the evolution of our company,” said Vance Bell, Chairman and CEO, Shaw Industries. “As we continue to grow and work to ensure that our people thrive and our processes evolve, Shaw’s dedication to Cradle to Cradle design philosophies is unwavering and a guidepost for both human and environmental health considerations.”
Almost 90 percent of the products the company manufactured in 2017 were Cradle to Cradle CertifiedTM (based upon sales volume).
“At Shaw, we fundamentally believe that everyone should have access to safe, sustainable products for their homes and workspaces,” said Troy Virgo, director, sustainability and product stewardship at Shaw. “The effort matters because people matter.”
To further ensure that no matter where or by whom a product or ingredient is made or sourced, it is held to the same high standards, Shaw unveiled a new sustainable sourcing policy in 2017. The policy brings even greater transparency into its supply chain by requiring disclosures about the ingredients that go into the products Shaw makes and sells in alignment with its 20-year commitment to Cradle to Cradle principles. The policy also incorporates the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact, which Shaw signed in late 2017. The Global Compact is a widely-recognized set of principles focused on upholding and protecting human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption standards.
The report also includes progress updates on Shaw’s 2030 sustainability goals and other key accomplishments including:
- Achieving carbon neutrality in its commercial carpet manufacturing operations
- Opening a combined heat and power facility in Columbia, S.C. for further carbon reductions across its operations in 2018
- Reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions intensity by 32 percent across all operations
- Reducing energy intensity by 25 percent
- Ranking on Forbes magazine’s 2018 list of America’s Best Large Employers
Shaw’s sustainability report follows the Global Reporting Initiative framework. Read or download Shaw’s 2017 Sustainability Report at https://shawinc.com/reports.
About Shaw Industries
Shaw Industries Group, Inc. is more than a flooring company – we are 22,000 people united in our vision of creating a better future for our customers, for our people, for our community and for our company. We provide carpet, resilient, hardwood, tile & stone, laminate, synthetic turf and other specialty items for residential and commercial markets worldwide. We meet diverse customer needs through an expansive portfolio of brands, including: Anderson Tuftex, COREtec, Patcraft, Philadelphia Commercial, Shaw Contract, Shaw Floors, Shaw Hospitality,Shaw Sports Turf, Southwest Greens, USFloors and more.
Headquartered in Dalton, Georgia, Shaw is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway with nearly $6 billion in annual revenue and representation throughout the U.S., as well as in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, France, India, Mexico, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. For more information about our company brands, operations and community involvement, or to join our industry-leading team, visit www.shawinc.com.
Cradle to Cradle CertifiedTM is a certification mark licensed by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute.
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Sustainable Brands Staff
Published Aug 30, 2018 9am EDT / 6am PDT / 2pm BST / 3pm CEST