Post-Consumer Carpet Recycling and Collection

Recycling of carpets made from Anso Nylon 6, as well as other carpets made from the same type of nylon, is made possible by Evergreen Nylon Recycling, Shaw's Nylon 6 recycling operation in Augusta, Georgia. The Evergreen facility converts post-consumer Nylon 6 carpet back to its original starting material, caprolactam—the building block for Nylon 6 fiber. The caprolactam from Evergreen is mixed with new caprolactam during the manufacturing process, and new Anso nylon fiber is made. Although Anso Nylon 6 carpets contain nylon produced with Evergreen postconsumer caprolactam, the actual percent of recycled content in the product will vary from sample to sample.

Evergreen Nylon Recycling, Shaw's nylon recycling operation in Augusta, Georgia, employs patented technology that converts post-consumer nylon carpet and recycles it back to its original material - the building block for nylon fiber. As a result of this technology, carpets of Nylon 6 are capable of being recycled into new carpet repeatedly without the loss of any aesthetic or performance properties.

Partnering with a number of recycling companies, Shaw has established a collection network to bring post-consumer carpets to Evergreen for recycling. Currently, the collection system is operational in a number of locations throughout the country, and adding areas to their network continuously. Although the recycling efforts may be limited at this time, the recycled content they are able put into their products from this process represents a nationwide environmental benefit.