Shaw Industries' Reclaim to Energy process building earns LEED Silver
US-based carpet manufacturer and floor covering provider Shaw Industries Group, Inc. has achieved the LEED Silver certification for its Reclaim to Energy (Re2E) process building, which illustrates commitment to sustainability through innovation.
Located in Dalton, Georgia, the Reclaim to Energy (Re2E) is a 35,397 square feet facility, which is projected to convert 84 million pounds of carpet each year into 50,000 pounds of steam energy per hour. It claims to save enough fossil fuel to power the equivalent of approximately 7,500 homes annually. Eventually, it is expected to co-generate enough electrical energy to help sustain its own operations.
The Re2E facility has optimised energy performance by obtaining more than 20% cost savings compared with buildings that only comply with Georgia's strong energy code of reducing environmental and economic impacts associated with excessive energy use.
Designed with water-efficient landscaping, the facility has achieved a 50% reduction in the use of potable water, or other natural surface or subsurface water resources available on or near the project site, for landscape irrigation.
Construction of the building has incorporated products, that in aggregate, achieved more than 28% recycled content for the building. It has used low-emitting materials, including Site Lines Carpet Tile, which is made of 44% recycled content, and is Cradle to Cradle Silver Certified and 100% recyclable.
In 2012, Re2E facility began to convert carpet to steam energy, which is a steady, cost-stable alternative power supply for two adjacent carpet manufacturing facilities.
