LEED CI/NC: A greener way to build

How Shaw Contract Group carpet contributes to LEED

Not only does our carpet contribute to the beauty and functionality of a space, it also contributes

to LEED certification. As one component among a list of building materials, Shaw Contract Group

sustainable carpet products add to project eligibility for several LEED credits including recycled

content, low-emitting materials and innovation in design.

Also contributing to LEED in construction and waste management, Shaw offers a comprehensive

recycling program, including an environmental guarantee for reclamation and recycling of all

EcoWorx® tile and broadloom products.

Developed by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), the LEED Rating System

is the definitive standard for green building, providing guidelines for designing and building

environmentally responsible structures. And while no single product can be considered LEED

certified, our carpet is additive to the pursuit of LEED certification for your project.

Environmentally GuaranteedWhen any EcoWorx tile or broadloom product has reached the end of its

useful life, we want it back. Just call the 800 number on the back of

the carpet and Shaw Contract Group will pick up and recycle it at no cost

to the customer. EcoWorx backing will be taken through an elutriation or

dissolution process to facilitate recycling, while Eco Solution Q® nylon will

enter the recycling stream via the Evergreen Nylon Recycling Facility.

Online LEED calculatorHow much LEED credit are we talking? Shaw Contract Group’s online LEED

calculator provides accurate information regarding the environmental attributes of

Shaw Contract Group products, as well as their contribution to the LEED Rating

System. Log on to www.shawcontractgroup.com for this useful tool to assist

you in your LEED documentation.

877.502.7429 • www.shawcontractgroup.com

carpet

LEED credit Shaw Contract Group contribution

MR Credit 1.1: Building ReuseMaintain at least 55% (1 point), 75% (2 points) or 95% (3 points) of the existing building structure (including structural floor and roof decking) and envelope (the exterior skin and framing, excluding window assemblies and non-structural roofing material).

Carpet can be removed and reused for a minimal contribution.

MR Credit 2: Construction Waste ManagementRecycle and/or salvage nonhazardous construction and demolition debris. Develop and implement a construction waste management plan that, at a minimum, identifies the materials to be diverted from disposal and whether the materials will be sorted on-site or comingled. The minimum percentage debris to be recycled or salvaged is 50% (1 point) or 75% (2 points).

Shaw’s Evergreen Nylon Recycling Facility recycles 100 million pounds of nylon 6 carpet each year into caprolactam, the building block for new nylon. Carpet becomes carpet again and is not sent to a landfill, eliminating costly tipping fees.

Shaw’s carpet reclamation network collects and recycles more carpet than the rest of the industry combined.

MR Credit 4: Recycled Content: Use materials, not including furniture and furnishings, with recycled content1 such that the sum of post consumer recycled content plus 1/2 of the preconsumer3 content constitutes at least 10% (1 point) or 20% (2 points) based on cost of the total value of the materials in the project.

All Shaw Contract Group carpet made with Eco Solution Q, our cradle-to-cradle nylon, has a minimum of 25% recycled content and can be recycled into more Eco Solution Q at the end of its useful life. EcoWorx tile backing has 40% total recycled content (13% post consumer / 27% preconsumer) and is completely recyclable. EcoWorx Broadloom and Performance Broadloom backings contain 20% post consumer recycled content. Hardwood products with EnviroCore contain 50% preconsumer material.

MR Credit 5: Regional Materials

CI: Use building materials or products manufactured within 500 miles of the project site for a minimum of 20% (1 point) or use building materials or products that have been extracted, harvestedor recovered, as well as manufactured, within 500 miles of the project site for a minimum of 10% (2 points), based on cost,of the total materials value.

NC: Use building materials or products that have been extracted, harvested or recovered, as well as manufactured, within 500 miles of the project site for a minimum of 10% (1 point) or 20% (2 points), based on cost, of the total materials value. If only a fraction of a product or material is extracted, harvested, or recovered and manufactured locally, then only that percentage (by weight) can contribute to the regional value.

No raw material or oil based products qualify for extracted material credit. Shaw uses locally harvested materials, such as necessary fillers, and recycled content in its products which are eligible for the Regional Materials credit.

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 and seam sealers are CRI Green Label Plus certified and meet SCAQMD Rule 1168 requirements. All hardwood products are GreenGuard certified.

IEQ Credit 4.3: Flooring SystemsAll flooring installed in the building interior must meet the testing and product requirements specified. For carpet, the standard is the Carpet and Rug Institute Green Label Plus program (1 point).

All Shaw Contract Group products that are currently available for purchase meet CRI Green Label and Green Label Plus requirements.

ID Credit 1.1: Innovation in DesignAchieve 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 may 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 the architect William McDonough and Dr. Michael Braungart.

EcoWorx, EcoWorx Broadloom, EcoWorx Performance Broadloom and Eco Solution Q are certified with a Cradle to Cradle Silver rating. Shaw produces the only carpet product that contributes at the Silver level. All EcoWorx backings and EgoLogix cushioned backing are NSF 140 Platinum certified. Ultraloc Pattern backing is certified at the Gold level.

To contribute toward LEED Silver, 5% of the total value of all building materials and products based on cost must be Cradle to Cradle Certified or NSF 140 Certified. Gold projects must have 2.5% and Platinum projects must have 1.25% of Cradle to Cradle Certified and NSF 140 Certified building materials and products.

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LEED CI/NC: A greener way to build

877.502.7429 • www.shawcontractgroup.com