INITIATIVE | 098 Water is one of the earth's most precious resources... being conscious of wastefulness is everyone's responsibility.
During routine operation of Shaw's carpet backing equipment, latex accumulates on the machinery and belts. Each week the equipment is cleaned with water and maintenance performed to ensure consistent performance and quality from these machines. The waste water residual, referred to as "white waste water" due to the accumulation of small amounts of latex, cannot be processed by regular water treatment facilities. This combined solution of water and latex requires a segregated disposal as non-hazardous waste.
Knowing the special handling requirements of the refuse, and recognizing a potential for recycling the waste water, Shaw backing facilities installed basins to capture the water. The white water is kept in a holding tank and then used as a clean water substitute in the actual latex compound itself; allowing Shaw to recycle both the water and the latex raw material.
Each facility captures and recycles approximately 7,000 gallons of white water each week; 7,000 gallons is enough water for one person to shower…for an entire year.
Committed to providing innovative environmental solutions…that's the Shaw Green Edge.
