Shaw Industries Group, Inc. Releases Third Annual Corporate Sustainability Report

DALTON, Ga., Sept. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Shaw Industries Group, Inc. has released its third annual corporate sustainability report, the company announced. The report can be accessed online at www.shawgreenedge.com.

Focused on Shaw's commitment to Sustainability through Innovation™, the report highlights the Berkshire Hathaway company's environmental and social responsibility leadership. Beginning with the question, What if Sustainable Business Meant Smarter Business?, the report covers Shaw's significant investment in sustainability initiatives during the 2010 calendar year, substantiating the organization's progress with metrics and data for more than 40 performance indicators.

"Stakeholders are looking to private enterprise to take the lead in addressing the most critical questions facing today's businesses – including questions about environmental and social risks," said Shaw CEO Vance Bell. "While no company has all the answers, those that openly ask questions and seek solutions have the potential to affect the greatest change – environmentally, socially and economically."

"Even though 2010 represented a continuation of the most difficult economic conditions our industry – and our world – has ever faced, we have consistently looked for innovations that are environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable," Bell added.

"Our 2010 sustainability report reflects this philosophy and serves as a demonstration of our commitment to being transparent with our stakeholders," said Paul Murray, Shaw's vice president of sustainability. "The report represents an increased level of disclosure from 2009 in areas that we recognize as critical to our various stakeholder groups, including product stewardship, product reclamation and recycling, and social responsibility."

"As with our previous reports, this newest report renews our accountability in all areas of sustainability," Murray added. "The report process allows us to review and assess our progress at this stage of the journey, then set a roadmap for the work that remains ahead of us."

Shaw's 2010 report uses the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G3 guidelines for sustainability reporting at the B level. The company formally adopted the GRI framework for its 2009 report in order to offer stakeholders further assurance that the disclosures and metrics met globally recognized standards for corporate sustainability reporting.

Shaw's 2010 sustainability report, "What if Sustainable Business Meant Smarter Business?" is available online at www.shawgreenedge.com.

What if Sustainable Business Meant Smarter Business?

Shaw 2010 Sustainability Report Highlights

• The recycling of 121 million pounds of post consumer carpet.
• Cradle to Cradle products represent over 50% of Shaw sales.
• The launch of Re2E, a new energy facility designed to increase post-consumer carpet reclamation & access to a sustainable alternative fuel source.
• The launch of ClearPath Recycling, a plastic bottle recycling facility slated to become one of the largest facilities of its type in North America.
• More than 1 million training hours for Shaw associates.
• More than $3,300,000 in associate & corporate charitable contributions.
• Significant investment in energy improvements, GHG reduction, & product stewardship & reclamation.
• New disclosures & metrics for key environmental & social performance indicators.
• Conformance to Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G3 B level guidelines.

About Shaw Green Edge

Sustainability through Innovation™ That's the Shaw Green Edge®. It's our commitment to create the most beautiful – and sustainable – flooring in the world. And to help create a better planet for our customers, our people, and our communities in the process.

Rooted in our drive to continuously improve every aspect of our business, the Shaw Green Edge guides everything we do, every day – from maintaining the highest ethical standards to safeguarding the health and well-being of our people and our communities, to conserving energy and water and recycling raw materials, to designing cradle to cradle products that can be remanufactured over and over again.

Because setting the standard for environmental excellence, social responsibility and product design is more than our responsibility. It's also good business. And it's our legacy. For more information about the Shaw Green Edge, visit www.shawgreenedge.com.

About Shaw Industries Group, Inc.

Shaw Industries Group, Inc., a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., is the world's largest carpet manufacturer and a leading floorcovering provider with more than $4 billion in annual sales and approximately 25,000 associates worldwide. Headquartered in Dalton, Ga., the company manufactures and distributes carpeting, rugs, hardwood, laminate and ceramic tile for residential and commercial applications worldwide. A recognized leader in sustainability, Shaw has implemented hundreds of sustainability initiatives and Cradle to Cradle design solutions collectively termed the Shaw Green Edge.

SOURCE Shaw Industries Group, Inc.