Dalton—Up until now, the industry’s environmental focus has been in producing flooring products for commercial use and reducing the use of natural resources during the manufacturing process.

Within this context, Shaw Industries has led the way in both areas, from reducing greenhouse emissions by over 90% per square yard of production to its EcoWorx carpet tile products. With that, the company announced that in 2007 it will become the first mill to offer environmentally friendly carpet for residential use as all Anso nylon products will contain post-consumer recycled content. In addition, Shaw will launch Epic hardwood floor in which the veneer uses up to two-thirds less harvested wood than comparable solid and engineered products. Plus, its core is made from wood fiber that comes from the manufacture of other products and, it comes from managed forests.

Shaw feels the timing for this is right thanks to new innovations at the manufacturing level combined with rising public interest in wanting to do the right thing to protect the environment.

These two initiatives are part of an overriding theme called the “Shaw Green Edge,” a term the company will use for what is considered one of the nation’s most aggressive environmental programs. In fact, Randy Merritt, president, noted Green Edge encompasses more than 100 environmental initiatives.