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Environmental

Hardcore responsibility.

We're every bit as hardcore about environmental and social responsibility as we are about design. Which makes for high-performance engineered hardwood that looks beautiful, does right by the world and contributes to multiple LEED credits. Responsibility is engineered right in.

Manufacturing Practices

Shaw's heritage of crafting wood flooring is unparalleled. Through its Anderson Hardwoods brand, we are the pioneer of engineered hardwood. Using a rotary sawn technique, the entire log is used for high-quality flooring, compared to other techniques that underutilize the log, creating more wood waste. Engineered products are ideal for any climate and can be installed above and below grade.

Shaw is building upon the noted environmental practices in place at Anderson. Our heritage for conservation includes innovative methods of waste and emissions reduction. Waste that cannot be repurposed into products is used as fuel, sold to other manufacturers or used for landscaping mulch. Water based stains and wheat flour-based adhesvies decrease VOC emissions. Responsible logging is practiced so that the visual impact of harvesting is reduced and that animal habitats are protected.

Reliance on fossil fuels is reduced where possible. BioMass Boilers double efficiency and reduce emissions by 90 percent. Shaw buys domestic logs within a 500 mile radius of manufacturing facilities in order to reduce our carbon footprint.

Wood waste created in the manufacturing process is used to create the EnviroCore™ section of our engineered hardwood products. Use of this wasted wood fiber prevents it from being burned or sent to landfills. EnviroCore has distinct advantages over plywood core alternatives, such as unsurpassed structural integrity, impact resistance and moisture tolerance.

LEED Contribution

Shaw hardwood flooring contributes to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) credits.

MR Credit 4: Recycled Content
Use materials, including furniture and furnishings, with recycled content such that the sum of post consumer recycled content plus 1/2 of the preconsumer content constitutes at least 10% (1 point) or 20% (2 points) based on cost of the total value of the materials in the project.

• Shaw EnviroCore™ hardwood contains 50% preconsumer recycled content.


MR Credit 5: Regional Materials
Use a minimum of 20% (1 point) of the combined value of construction and Division 12 (Furniture) materials and products that are manufactured regionally within a radius of 500 miles or a minimum of 10% (2 points) of the combined value of construction and Division 12 (Furniture) materials and products extracted, harvested or recovered, as well as manufactured, within 500 miles of the project.

• Shaw uses recycled content in its products, which are eligible for the Regional Materials credit. All hickory and oak 5 ply engineered products with Premium Hardwood Core are manufactured within 500 miles of Clinton, SC and qualify for this credit.


MR Credit 7: Certified Wood
When using new wood-based products and materials, use a minimum of 50% that are certified in accordance with the Forest Stewardship Council’s principles and criteria.

• Shaw can meet this certification for 5,000 square foot minimum orders. Contact your Shaw Contract Group sales representative.


IEQ Credit 4.1: Adhesives and Sealants
All building adhesives and sealants, including carpet adhesives and sealants, must meet VOC guidelines of LEED (1 point). Adhesives, sealants and sealant primers must comply with South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 1168.

• All Shaw Contract Group adhesives are CRI Green Label Plus certified and meet SCAQMD Rule 1168 requirements.


IEQ Credit 4.3: Flooring Systems
All flooring systems installed in the building interior must meet the testing and product requirements of the Carpet and Rug Institute Green Label Plus program (1 point).

• Products are GreenGuard Certified for Children & Schools


ID Credit 1.1: Innovation in Design
Achieve significant, measurable environmental performance using a strategy not addressed in the LEED 2009 for Commercial Interiors Rating System. One point is awarded for each innovation achieved.

• Projects seeking LEED certification can earn "Innovation in Design" points by using products with Cradle to Cradle Certificationsm. Cradle to Cradle certification is granted by MBDC (McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry), a third-party consultancy founded by architect William McDonough and Dr. Michael Braungart. EnviroCore hardwoods are certified with a Silver rating. To contribute, Silver Certified products must be 5% of the total value of all building materials.

Social Responsibility

Shaw believes in giving back to the community, to supporting charitable causes that are close to our business, and to being leaders of community organizations. Our people are active volunteers who give freely of their time and skills. Shaw is proud to provide support to the programs below through our hardwood business.

The Prison Industry Enterprise Program
Shaw's Anderson Hardwood brand has participated in the South Carolina Department of Corrections Prison Industry Enterprise (PIE) Program for more than 12 years. The program employs inmates to handcraft certain hardwood products. Our involvement helps make South Carolina’s PIE program one of the largest in the U.S. Through the entirely voluntary program, participants earn comparable pay to civilians in their region. Wages are apportioned by the state for victims’ restitution, room and board, inmate savings, family allocation and spending. Additionally, Anderson has successfully employed many inmates after their release. For inmates working in the program for at least one year, the likelihood of an inmate returning to prison after release drops to 11 percent – as compared to the national average of 68 percent. Shaw has recently increased this program to include prison facilities in Tennessee.

Shaw Contract Group supports the following organizations:

• U.S. Forest Service • Hardwood Forestry Fund
• Forest Stewardship Council • Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association
• Hardwood Federation • Sierra Club
• American Forest and Paper Association • World Wildlife Fund
• National Wood Flooring Association  

FSC Certification

Shaw is working with Forest Stewardship Council – United State (FSC) and the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) to increase the available timber land that is certified through FSC, which will increase the flooring industry’s access to FSC certified hardwood. Because of the limited amount of FSC certified timber today, Shaw currently offers FSC certified products as custom orders. Many Shaw Contract Group hardwoods sourced domestically carry the label “From U.S. Renewing Forests,” part of the NWFA’s Responsible Procurement Program. We anticipate that all Shaw hardwood products will achieve FSC certification in the future. If you want to learn more about what we are doing to advance the cause of FSC and responsible forestry go to www.RPProgram.org.