Expert Q&As

Shaw, a leading flooring manufacturer headquartered in Georgia, has developed a successful platform, known as the Shaw Green Edge, to promote their sustainable products and eco-friendly initiatives. With the goal of creating beautiful, but sustainable, carpeting, laminate, hardwood flooring, and more, Shaw has developed a "Cradle to Cradle" philosophy, which ensures that "waste is never an option" in their designs. As a result, they have also become known for recycling waste through their successful post-consumer carpet recycling and collection initiative. David Wilkerson, Shaw Residential's director of sustainability and environmental affairs, told MGB more about this program and other green practices that Shaw has been proud to put into action.

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Headquartered in Calgary, Canada, DIRTT (which stands for Doing It Right This Time) has redefined workplace interiors throughout North America with their "Agile Architectural Solutions." The passionate young company-where employees affectionately refer to themselves as DIRTT Bags—has quickly flourished, being listed in Alberta Venture Magazine as one of the province's fastest growing companies, and even opening a new branch in Savannah, GA last spring. Meanwhile, DIRTT has become most famous for their sustainable, pre-manufactured and pre-engineered floors and walls, which can be easily moved and reconfigured. Environmental Lead, Kristin J. Moore, shared more DIRTT with MGB and revealed why recycling isn't their number one priority when it comes to sustainable building.

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Located in Millbrook, NY, the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies has become a leader in environmental research, providing important information to scientists and policymakers, influencing environmental laws, and helping to update educational curriculum. One of the organization's goals is to make the public more aware of general ecological issues and challenges, which it achieves by hosting various presentations and workshops. Recently, Dr. William Schlesinger, president of the Cary Institute, hosted a travelogue on Antarctica, which despite being the coldest continent, is still being threatened by human activity. Dr. Schlesinger provided MGB with details on the state of Antarctica's ecosystem, its surprising fragility, and what we can expect to see from the Cary Institute in the future.

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Mars Incorporated, the international confectionary and pet food company best known for making M&Ms, Snickers, and Mars bars, has been making significant headway in its sustainability program, including renovating its Hackettstown, New Jersey headquarters to be more energy and water efficient. Lauren Nodzak, spokesperson for Mars Incorporated North America, explains some of the technical ins and outs of the renovation and also tells of future plans for the company's eco-transformation.

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