EcoWorx
Our approach to design and sustainability is visible through our carpet backing. Driven by our customers, we created EcoWorx tile backing in 1999, a high performance alternative to PVC. EcoWorx Broadloom and EcoWorx Performance Broadloom build on the established performance of EcoWorx tile. With three cradle-to-cradle backings, EcoWorx delivers proven technology, performance and recyclability to all environments.
Recycling EcoWorx
EcoWorx is designed with the end in mind. This innovative backing for tile and broadloom products is deconstructed and used to make new generations of EcoWorx. Here's how it works:
Reclaimed EcoWorx tile is put through a process called elutriation to separate the backing from the face fiber. Carpet tiles are shredded and ground into a coarse mixture, which is then sent to an air separator. This divides fiber and backing into different streams fiber is sent to Evergreen (link) and the backing is used to produce more EcoWorx.
EcoWorx Broadloom and Performance Broadloom products are deconstructed through a different process called dissolution. The carpet is size reduced into small chunks and then introduced to a bio-based dissolving solution. This dissolves the backing, leaving the fiber and other components. The fiber is removed to be recycled via Evergreen (link). Next, the bio-based solution is evaporated off, leaving the EcoWorx polymer to be used to make new EcoWorx. The dissolving solution is then used again for the next cycle.
All EcoWorx products are recyclable at no charge to the customer through our Environmental Guarantee (link) program.
EcoWorx Tile
The introduction of EcoWorx tile ushered in a new chapter in the way carpet tile is produced. Selected as the preferred backing of choice, EcoWorx tile contains 40% recycled content. EcoWorx is a recognized breakthrough, having earned the EPA's Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award and Best of NeoCon for product innovation. Stronger and more durable, EcoWorx backing outperforms traditional PVC backings with 5 times the tensile strength, 8 times the tear strength, and two times the delamination strength.
EcoWorx Broadloom
Broadloom carpet comprises roughly 70 percent of the total commercial carpet market. Recognizing and understanding a market need, Shaw applied the proven technology and performance of EcoWorx to its broadloom products, producing a completely recyclable backing with 10% post consumer recycled content. Our backing is 60 percent lighter than traditional 6 foot PVC backing and offers added installation and shipping benefits to our customers. By expanding our EcoWorx backing system, we are reducing raw material consumption, preventing carpet from entering the landfill, and making high performance cradle-to-cradle solutions available in all product segments. Stronger than traditional broadloom backing, our product prevents edge ravel and does not delaminate at 20 lbs.
EcoWorx Performance Broadloom
Certain environments demand additional performance attributes from their flooring. EcoWorx Performance Broadloom delivers the extra protection of a complete moisture barrier to shield the subfloor from water-related damage. This backing is ideal for healthcare (link) and education (environments) and is completely recyclable, a cradle-to-cradle solution that is good for the environment.
