Article Number : 3986 |
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| Date | 12/15/2008 8:59:48 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=3986 |
| Abstract | ATLANTA—Kelly’s Carpet Omaha is the first Mohawk GreenWorks Dealer of the Year. The award was presented to Mike Hughes, owner of the Omaha, Neb., retailer late last month... |
| Article | ATLANTA—Kelly’s Carpet Omaha is the first Mohawk GreenWorks Dealer of the Year. The award was presented to Mike Hughes, owner of the Omaha, Neb., retailer late last month. Kelly’s Carpet took home the top prize based on an exemplary record of building green and sustainable ideas into its business. The company diverts 84% of waste from landfills through internal programs and recycling residential and commercial flooring that gets replaced. The company has also purchased hybrid vehicles to replace older ones, replaced nearly 1,500 lights with high-efficiency ones that reduce energy consumption 80% (while lasting longer), equipped all company vehicles with GPS to shorten drive times, and is even looking at becoming a carpet recycling center. In addition, Kelly Carpets employs a full-time, credentialed educator to increase environmental awareness within the community and schools. It also contributes all flooring to Project Night Lights, a program that designs custom rooms for children living with or recovering from serious conditions, and donates a portion of every dollar earned to local schools, community groups and non-profits. “True sustainability is difficult to achieve,” said Jenny Cross, senior sustainability manager, Mohawk. “It is a delicate balance between economic, social and environmental issues. Kelly’s Carpet showed the judges the best balance of the three caveats. Reinvesting and streamlining of their business, a strong commitment and investment in education within the community and an intensive recycling program are the primary things that stand out with Kelly’s and make them very deserving of the Mohawk GreenWorks Dealer of the Year title for 2008.” Dave Duncan, vice president of marketing for Mohawk, believes the floor covering industry could not have a better ambassador for environmental responsibility and sustainability than Kelly’s Carpet Omaha. “We are inspired by the efforts of this great company and are honored to present it with the award.” Judges were very impressed with the retailer’s green efforts. “Kelly’s clearly understands the importance of measuring its performance in key areas of sustainability,” said David Cross of Abeo Partners, a firm focused on providing strategies and solutions that support lasting behavior change in areas including sustainability and health and wellness. “This helps demonstrate the value being created and ensures that all employees know it’s important,” he added. “And it’s the best way to ensure steady, ongoing progress on issues that might not be seen as a priority, particularly during this challenging economic period.” Aside from Cross, the judging was done by Dr. Sydney Roberts, home services program manager at Southface Energy Institute, an Atlanta-based green building consulting organization, and Karen Raymer, an interior designer and founder of Waldenour, an ecodesign and consulting firm. Mohawk established the GreenWorks Dealer Award to recognize achievements by flooring retailers in environmental and sustainability practices. The award is based on three key criteria: • Economic responsibility; • Social commitment, and • Environmental initiative. The competition was open to all Mohawk retailers in North America. A panel of independent judges from the environmental and sustainability profession identified six dealers as candidates for the award. The finalists, along with Kelly’s Carpet Omaha, were Michigan Tile and Carpet, Battle Creek, Mich., and Carpet Bonanza Flooring Center, Zeeland, Mich. As the winner, Kelly’s Carpet received $5,000 that it can donate to a sustainable cause or use for another sustainably based effort. The other finalists received a $1,000 award for their choice of sustainable causes or projects. For more information on the GreenWorks Dealer Award or Mohawk’s green efforts, log on to the mill’s site, www.mohawkgreenworks.com. |