Recycling / Re-engineering

As the largest recycler in the flooring industry, we recognize that one of the most effective ways we can reduce our environmental footprint is through recycling and re-engineering. We have explored all kinds of ways to recycle or re-engineer, not only the waste from our own manufacturing processes, but also other pre- and post consumer waste. As a result, we have developed many new recycling initiatives that are making a real difference for the environment. In fact, we have put so much energy and resources behind our recycling initiatives that we are now net purchasers of waste, diverting over 3 billion lbs. of waste from landfills every year.

We're taking everything from old car tires and windshield glass to plastic soda bottles and turning it into valuable carpet products. You don't achieve results like these through half-hearted attempts at sustainability or environmental programs that lack real substance. We're seeing unprecedented results only because we've made an unprecedented commitment to ongoing, innovative sustainability. Here's a brief look at our approach to recycling and re-engineering.

• Waste prevention teams – We have entire teams devoted to finding economical new ways to recycle our manufacturing by-products and, wherever possible, to eliminate these by-products completely.
• Post consumer content – We're intercepting materials that have already completed their normal life cycle as consumer products and are keeping them out of landfills by recycling them for future use. This not only reduces consumer waste, but it also reduces the amount of natural resources that we use in manufacturing.
• Pre-consumer content – This refers to material generated by manufacturers and processors (including scrap, trimmings, and other by-products) that will never be used in the consumer market. By recycling this material, we take large amounts of waste that would otherwise be destined for landfills and put it to good use. Using this content instead of valuable natural resources helps us shrink our environmental footprint even more.