Shaw in EPA WasteWise program

-- Home Textiles Today, 7/13/2009 10:30:00 AM

Dalton, Ga. – Shaw Industries Group Inc. has joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s “WasteWise” program to help promote its environmental and sustainability efforts “and continue defining goals to reduce waste and recycle its products,” the floor covering company said.

“Shaw is pleased to engage with EPA through WasteWise and be recognized for its internal waste reduction as well as its post consumer carpet reclamation and many recycling initiatives,” the company added.

Shaw’s vp of corporate sustainability and environmental affairs, Rick Ramirez, cited materials resource management as one of the company’s key elements of the Shaw Green Edge Business sustainability strategy. Materials resource management “embraces all our many efforts around waste minimization, reclamation and recycling, be it process materials or flooring products at the end of their service life,” he continued. “Shaw is committed to specific sustainability goals with clear metrics and timetables regarding critical performance areas such as employee safety and health, eco-products, energy, water, emissions and waste.”

WasteWise was launched in 1994 and today boasts more than 2,000 partners. The program educates government agencies, nonprofit organizations, trade associations and businesses about the benefits of reducing solid waste.

By partnering with WasteWise, Shaw receives information on reduced purchasing and waste disposal costs, networking in member-oriented as well as regional forums, and an annual “Climate Profile” describing greenhouse gas reduction.

Shaw also gains public recognition for its sustainability through WasteWise publications, case studies, meetings and EPA awards, through its membership in WasteWise.

“EPA's WasteWise program has a long-standing reputation in facilitating voluntary actions among its participants in reducing waste and improving the environment,” Ramirez said. “Furthermore, we believe public-private partnerships, such as EPA's WasteWise program, demonstrates our commitment and accountability in achieving our goals as well as transparency and credibility to our stakeholders while providing our Shaw associates with well-deserved recognition for their daily efforts in meeting company goals.”