Environmental

Cradle to Cradle

The Cradle to Cradle Certification evaluates and improves products by thoroughly assessing and optimizing materials and production processes. Certification means a healthy, safe, effective and quality product that is recyclable again and again.

As a non-consensus standard, Cradle to Cradle was not created by the carpet industry or any other specialty group. Founded and administrated by MBDC, Cradle to Cradle is an independent, multi-attribute product certification based on the Cradle to Cradle design protocol, a scientifically based, peer-reviewed process used to assess and optimize products and processes to maximize health, safety, effectiveness, and high quality reutilization over many product life cycles.

Cradle to Cradle is open to a wide variety of products – not just carpet – which allows for stringent criteria during the evaluation process that does not focus on one industry in particular.

The categories used to evaluate products include:

  • Environmentally Safe and Healthy Materials
  • Efficient Use of Water and Maximum Water Quality
  • Use of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
  • Instituting Strategies for Social Responsibilities
  • Design for Material Reutilization

Certified products must meet certain objectives within these categories to be certified, with additional items necessary to move from level to level. There are four certification levels:

  • Platinum
  • Gold
  • Silver
  • Basic

Our Cradle to Cradle Silver Certified Product Systems:

  • Eco Solution Q type 6 nylon fiber
  • EcoWorx carpet tile backing
  • EcoWorx Broadloom and EcoWorx Performance Broadloom backing

To learn more about Cradle to Cradle Certification, visit MBDC.

Recycling EcoWorx Products: Our Environmental Guarantee

Our Environmental Guarantee means we will take back-free of charge-EcoWorx products from anywhere in the world, with a 500 m² minimum. You will be responsible for transporting the products to the nearest international port, from which point we will collect and transport the product to our recycling facilities. In cases where less than 500 m² is ready for reclamation at at a global location, many of our local service providers may assist in the collection and compiling of carpet until a full 500+ m² load is ready for pick-up.

Reclamation can be scheduled by contacting your local Shaw account manager, or calling the number located on the back of all EcoWorx tile products. The following guidelines must be followed to ensure successful reclamation:

  • Material must be palletized and secured
  • Carpet must be dry and free of non-carpet debris
  • All pallets must be shrink wrapped and strapped (at least 2 straps; one on each side of the pallet)
  • Pallets should be no wider than 1.2 m x 1.2 m
  • Label each pallet with “Shaw Green Edge Recycling” labels as provided; be sure individual labels are placed beneath the shrink wrap
  • Do not mix tile and broadloom on the same pallet
  • Customer must load material onto truck
  • Pick-up location must be able to accommodate a 16-meter trailer

Carpet Tile:

  • Stack carpet tile neatly and flat onto pallets at least 96cm high and no higher than 110cm
  • Tiles should be stacked with carpet facing up
  • Do not place tile on its edge on the pallet

Recycling of Non-EcoWorx Products In order to recycle non-EcoWorx carpet, a minimum of 500 square yards must be returned and a replacement order through Shaw Contract must be placed. If you are not purchasing Shaw Contract carpet, we can provide assistance with recycling contacts in your area.

Scheduling Recycling Call 1-800-509-SHAW to begin the carpet recycling process. Your representative will complete a post consumer recycling form at least two weeks prior to pick-up. A Shaw Environmental Specialist will work with you to schedule carpet recycling. Please allow 5 days to schedule transportation.

Recycling Guidelines:

  • New Shaw carpet order is required
  • 500 yard or $1,000 minimum
  • Material must be palletized and secured
  • Carpet must be free of debris
  • Customer must load material onto truck
  • Pick-up location must be able to accommodate a 52-foot trailer
  • Additional services such as dumpsters, dropped trailers, etc. will be provided as necessary at additional cost
  • These services are applicable in the continental United States and Canada only
  • Requests outside the continental U.S. will be evaluated on a project by project basis
  • Shaw Contract will provide proof of recycling documentation

For more information on Shaw’s collection network and to facilitate carpet recycling, please contact Shaw at 800.509.SHAW or via email at bea.brahmbhatt@shawinc.com. Please download and review the EcoWorx Recycling Guidelines.