Mohawk Group, the world’s leading producer and distributor of quality commercial flooring, delivers industry-leading style, cutting-edge innovation, unmatched service and superior sustainability. As the commercial division of Mohawk Industries, Mohawk Group has a heritage of craftsmanship that spans more than 130 years. The company’s enduring family of brand – Mohawk, Karastan and Durkan – are widely regarded as the most trusted names in the commercial flooring business. Together, these brands function beautifully, delivering the perfect flooring solution for all markets and price points.
Mohawk believes that they can build a better world by listening to Mother Nature. Mohawk is redefining flooring with products that not only minimize climate impacts, but also foster beauty and allow people to thrive. This commitment extends to their customers, employees and communities – because believing in better is good for everyone.
We are setting a higher standard to help ensure products contribute to healthy spaces, are designed to inspire and will give back more to the environment than it takes. To receive this prestigious certification, the Pivot Point Collection met three Petals: Place, Energy, and Beauty.
| Top Hurdles to Certification | Description of Solution/Changes Implemented |
|---|---|
| On-site renewable energy requirements | Alternative compliance pathway through smartflower implementation and RECs |
| Collection of material ingredient information from suppliers within short time-frame | Extensive supplier outreach and continuous correspondence |
| Navigating program requirements for international facility. The program refers to standards that are largely US based which requires additional communication on manufacturer’s end to provide clarity and find comparable standards in international operations. | We were able to conduct weekly calls, constant correspondence and understand some of the international standards. |
| Language barrier – International documents for compliance tend to be in the native language, which makes it harder to verify compliance with program requirements | Our representative for the ERT platform was able to translate documents to us in English. |
3-YEAR HANDPRINTING PLAN
In order to offset the cradle-to-grave impacts of Pivot Point ERT, Mohawk has developed 3-Year Life Cycle Net Positive plans for Energy and Climate. In continuing to Believe in Better, we have chosen community based partnerships in our journey to create net positive products.
| 3-Year Plan Impact Area | Offset required per unit of product |
|---|---|
| Energy | 3.21 kg oil eq. per square yard |
| Climate | 5.48 kg CO2 eq per square yard |
PLACE PETAL
01. RESPONSIBLE PLACE AND HABITAT IMPACTS IMPERATIVE
This facility is part of the 40,400-square mile Central Korean Deciduous Forest ecoregion. This ecoregion occupies most of the Korean Peninsula except for the southern coastal margin and the mountainous north. As in many parts of East Asia, low-lying plains have been converted to agricultural land.
South Korea, including this region and the Southern Korean Evergreen Forests ecoregion, records 379 bird species of which 114 species breed. The others are either vagrants, migrants or winter visitors.
02. HABITAT EXCHANGE IMPERATIVE
As part of the Habitat Exchange Imperative, Mohawk will be contributing towards The Trust for Public Land White Marsh Project. The Trust for Public Land creates parks and protects land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come. Since 1972, they have protected more than 3.3 million acres and completed more than 5,400 park and conservation projects.
For over 25 years, The Trust for Public Land’s Chesapeake Bay Field Office has focused on protecting land along the key rivers that feed into the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States and one of the most productive bodies of water in the world. While establishing new public access to these rivers and the Chesapeake Bay has always been at the heart of the office’s work, it has also achieved significant conservation gains through securing conservation easements along large shoreline properties. Protection of the 389-acre White Marsh property in Caroline County through the acquisition of a conservation easement supports the land protection goals of the multi-state and federal Chesapeake Bay partnership, including the protection of wetlands and forestland with high ecological value.
| Name of Habitat Exchange Project | White Marsh Project |
| Name of Participating Land Trust | The Trust for Public Land |
| Land Trust Website | https://www.tpl.org |
ENERGY PETAL
04. NET POSITIVE ENERGY IMPERATIVE
This facility has structural limitations for on-site renewable energy generation. In order to overcome this hurdle, Mohawk along with our consultant WAP developed a creative solution to meet our intent of creating an environmentally and socially positive impact. Our strategy was to implement community focused renewable energy projects and to purchase Renewable Energy Certificates.
3 YEAR HANDPRINTING PLAN
Mohawk Group is partnering with Groundswell to develop community solar projects and programs that connect solar power with economic empowerment, beginning with the installation of four smartflower™ solar systems in 2018 in communities of concern or educational institutions with STEM programs in New York City, Chicago, Eden North Carolina, and Washington, D.C. In the next three years, Mohawk Group will add an additional six smartflower™ solar systems at STEM schools and community center throughout the United States.
| Energy consumption per unit of measure: | 3.21 kg oil eq |
| On-site energy annual use: | 26,840 kg oil eq |
| LCA Functional Unit | 1 square meter |
ENERGY HOTSPOTS
- Polypropylene
- Polyethylene
- P-/N-Type Flame Retardants
- EPDM Rubber
- Polyolefins
HEALTH & HAPPINESS PETAL
This facility evaluates the environment of the workplace for the health and safety of employees multiple times a year. It has a safety campaign that rewards employees for following protocol. Additionally, employees participate in a stretching and exercise program before every shift to avoid injuries.
06. HUMAN THRIVING IMPERATIVE
This facility is constantly evaluating health and wellness programs for their employees and is committed to creating a healthy and safe workplace. Employees have access to resting areas and on-site cafeteria. A marathon and hiking program is the centerpiece of their wellness initiatives and has been ongoing for 10 years. They provide employees with health coaches to guide them in achieving their goals and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
MATERIALS PETAL
Mohawk Group is responding to a world population that continues to urbanize with patterns and colors inspired by nature and the world’s first alternative chemistry, Red List-free, PVC-free enhanced resilient tile – Pivot Point.
07. RED LIST IMPERATIVE
Mohawk has evaluated Pivot Point Enhanced Resilient Tile and all ingredients against the Red List.
08. LIVING ECONOMY SOURCING IMPERATIVE
100% of the product’s total materials budget is sourced from within a 1000km radius.
09. RESPONSIBLE INDUSTRY IMPERATIVE
FSC Certified wood is challenging to source in this region. Mohawk’s current suppliers ensure that the materials for packaging are responsibly sourced and managed. Mohawk conducted due diligence as part of the certification and will continue to seek responsible sourcing packaging alternatives.
DECLARE ID: MHK-0026
EXCEPTION USED: I09-b: Due Diligence
10. NET POSITIVE CLIMATE IMPERATIVE
The Dempsey Ridge Wind Farm, LLC is located in Beckham and Roger Mills counties in Western Oklahoma. The wind energy farm sits on over 7,500 acres of agricultural and grazing land. The project has a capacity of 132 MW, consisting of 66 wind turbines.
Mohawk Group is partnering with Groundswell to develop community solar projects and programs that connect solar power with economic empowerment, beginning with the installation of four smartflower™ solar systems in 2018 in communities of concern or educational institutions with STEM programs in New York City, Chicago, Eden North Carolina, and Washington, D.C. In the next three years, Mohawk Group will add an additional six smartflower™ solar systems at STEM schools and community center throughout the United States.
| Name of Carbon Offset Project | Dempsey Ridge Wind Project |
| Location of Carbon Offset Project | Beckham and Roger Mills Counties, Oklahoma |
| Climate Impact Per Unit of Measure | 5.48 kg CO2 eq |
| On-Site Annual Climate Impact | 45,819.76 kg CO2 eq |
| LCA Functional Unit | 1 square meter |
CLIMATE HOTSPOTS
- P-/N-Type Flame Retardants
- Polypropylene
- Polyethylene
- Manufacturing Electricity
- Thermoplastic Vulcanites
12. PRODUCT FIT TO USE IMPERATIVE
The non-PVC Enhanced Resilient Flooring products are designed to last as useful, functioning products for at least the average lifetime for its product category, as documented in the Institute’s online Product Life Database. The Scratch/Scuff Resistance Sim Floor and Chair Castor testing reflects data in connection to specific performance warranties. The following collection traditionally receives ratings of 4.0+, which correlates to Mohawk’s Heavy Foot Traffic recommendation.
EQUITY PETAL
14. EQUITABLE PRODUCT ACCESS IMPERATIVE
New construction and/or renovation projects in the residential market rarely-if-ever specify or require commercial products. Despite that Mohawk would be willing and pleased to provide the following products at a discounted price to affordable housing projects (at a price comparable to similar products).
15. RESPONSIBLE CO-PRODUCTS IMPERATIVE
Mohawk Group demonstrates consistent responsible manufacturing across its entire operation. We are not involved with the manufacture of weapons or armaments, tobacco products, violent video games, or illicit drugs. Additionally, we are not involved with fossil fuel extraction; nuclear energy production or nuclear weapons manufacturing; facilitate payday lending, gambling, or patenting of life; charge interest rates significantly in excess of market peers for comparable offerings.
MOHAWK INDUSTRIES ANNUAL REPORT: https://www.mohawkind.com/_pdf/Mohawk_2017_Annual_Report.pdf
16. EQUITABLE INVESTMENT IMPERATIVE
As part of the Equitable Investment imperative, Mohawk Group will be contributing towards Groundswell. Groundswell develops community solar projects and subscriber management programs that connect solar power with economic empowerment for marginalized communities.
Groundswell’s community solar programs enable neighbor to work together to Share Power© through community solar, offering substantial energy savings to low income households. They develop community solar projects and subscriber management programs that connect solar power with economic empowerment for marginalized communities. They believe that clean energy is a necessity, not a luxury; we’re all in this together, and we can’t afford to leave our neighbors in need behind.
BEAUTY PETAL
18. POSITIVE HANDPRINTING IMPERATIVE
Through the installation of 10 smartflower™ solar systems throughout the United States, and combining that with the purchase of carbon credits, Mohawk Group is offering carbon neutral living products.
19. BEAUTY + SPIRIT IMPERATIVE
Mohawk Group is responding to a world population that continues to urbanize with patterns and colors inspired by nature and the world’s first alternative chemistry, Red List-free, PVC-free enhanced resilient tile – Pivot Point. Using biophilic principles, Pivot Point’s design motifs derived from nature can contribute to reducing stress, enhancing creativity and clarity of thought, improving wellbeing and expediting healing.
Pivot Point features four wood and four textile patterns in a plank format and four natural stone visuals in a tile format. The Enhanced Resilient Tile collection is designed to achieve the stringent requirements of Living Product Challenge Certification by creating a Handprint that exceeds the product’s cradle to gate footprint.
20. INSPIRATION + EDUCATION IMPERATIVE
LPC PAGE URL: https://www.mohawkgroup.com/sustainability/living-product-challenge