CALHOUN, GA.—This year at The International Surface Event (TISE) in Las Vegas, Mohawk is showcasing the company’s dedication to a more sustainable future through innovative manufacturing processes, product design and strategies around positive environmental and social impact. A feature display within the company’s award-winning presence at booth 5803 highlights inspiring sustainability efforts and stories for attendees.
As the largest recycler of plastic bottles in North America, Mohawk has made a corporate commitment to support the work of The Ocean Cleanup. The Netherlands-based nonprofit organization is developing advanced technologies to rid the world’s oceans of plastic.
Mohawk unveiled an interactive art installation by Brooklyn-based artist Basia Goszczynska to help attendees visualize the impact of plastic in the world’s landfills and waterways. Made almost entirely of upcycled materials and the different components that comprise Mohawk carpeting, “Overflow” shows how cutting-edge products and thoughtfully designed processes are leading the flooring industry and making a difference in reducing the waste stream. The installation is positioned near the VIP entrance to the event and connects how Mohawk is riding the wave of change through bottle recycling to its support of The Ocean Cleanup, and the important work being done from Atlantic to Pacific and beyond.
Creating the Path to a Better Future
“Our focus on sustainability at TISE this year reflects Mohawk’s holistic commitment to initiatives around corporate social responsibility that help secure a more ecologically restorative future,” said George Bandy Jr., Chief Sustainability Officer of Mohawk Flooring North America. “We believe that the innovative manufacturing processes and meaningful partnerships that help us extend our positive impact through a circular economy create the path to a better future for our planet. We invite our customers to join us on this sustainability journey by choosing flooring products designed with reduced environmental footprints and a positive social impact.”
EverStrand is a premium PET polyester fiber that is made with up to 100 percent recycled content and created through one of the most innovative manufacturing processes in the world: Continuum. Through Continuum, Mohawk recycles reclaimed PET plastic bottles into the polyester fiber used to produce soft and durable residential carpet. Both EverStrand and EverStrand Soft Appeal use, on average, 63 reclaimed plastic bottles per each square yard.
In 2019 alone, Mohawk recycled 6.6 billion plastic bottles, enough to wrap around the earth more than 33 times. Overall, this process has diverted more than 40 billion plastic bottles from waterways and landfills to become the fiber for EverStrand carpet products. Additionally, Mohawk offers another sustainable product line with Air.o: the only soft flooring option in the market that is hypoallergenic, easy to clean and VOC-free. The product is engineered with just one fiber, making it the only 100 percent recyclable soft flooring on the market. The line continues to expand to meet growing popularity demands and serve the needs of families everywhere in search of sustainable flooring.
‘Nutrition Label’ for Building Products
For sustainable products to make an impact in the lives of consumers, families must be equipped with the right information and tools to help them make the best choices for finishes in their homes. Mohawk holds current and relevant certifications that illustrate its leadership in product transparency and commitment to manufacturing products that help contribute to healthy spaces while expanding options for sustainable residential flooring. The International Living Future Institute’s Declare program provides a clear and informative “nutrition label” for building products. Both EverStrand and Air.o Unified Soft Flooring (USF) product lines have achieved the rigorous certification. Declare helps consumers make conscious, informed decisions.
A Health Product Declaration (HPD), developed by the Health Product Declaration Collaborative, is a standard format for reporting product ingredients and associated health information. HPDs objectively provide the critical information needed to support accurate supply chain disclosure and informed decisions by building designers, specifiers, owners and end users. EverStrand and Air.o were recently recognized with these declarations as well.
The International Surface Event is held January 27 to 30, 2020 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. To learn more about Mohawk and its commitment to believe in better sustainability and corporate social responsibility, visit MohawkSustainability.com.
