Twelve years ago, in response to growing demand from our customers, Shaw Industries set out to create a more environmentally responsible product alternative to the traditional PVC-backed carpet tiles prevalent in the commercial market.
Driven by our commitment to Sustainability Through Innovation and a deeply entrenched dedication to the continuous improvement of both our products and our processes, we created EcoWorx®, a commercial carpet tile that ultimately out-performed our traditional PVC-backed tile in a variety of areas, including:
- 40% lighter product weight (EcoWorx is more efficient to transport and easier to install)
- 30% less embodied energy (EcoWorx is more energy-efficient to produce)
- Greater tear strength
- Higher tensile strength
- Greater delamination strength
In addition to earning the 2001 US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Presidential Green Chemistry Award for its environmentally responsible product design, EcoWorx helped redefine product sustainability for our industry — and for our commercial customers.
In 2007, it also became the world’s first Cradle to Cradle Certified flooring product. Today, EcoWorx remains our fastest growing product with thousands of installations worldwide, and 11 straight Best of NeoCon design awards.
Click here for full article on SustainableBrands.com
McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC) is a sustainability consulting firm founded by William McDonough and Michael Braungart, co-authors of “Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things”. MBDC advises companies on integrating C2C principles into products, operations, and corporate strategy to regenerate economy, ecology, and equity.
