Last month, Mohawk Industries released its 2022 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report, an extensive document that details the company’s progress toward its goals in these areas. Titled “Connections that Create Value,” the report aims to demonstrate Mohawk’s leadership position in these fields, with a special emphasis on environmental stewardship.
“Our ESG Report allows us to share actions creating measurable progress toward our goals as well as stories of activities taking place across our business,” said Malisa Maynard, chief sustainability officer at Mohawk. “It’s important for people to know that sustainability at Mohawk isn’t just the work of one department. The ESG Report is the story of thousands of people across the business doing good work in the facilities, in the field, on the road and in our communities. Our leadership is rooted in the important contributions of all those individuals.”
The 2022 ESG Report contains many highlights, but Maynard emphasized a few standouts:
- Mohawk reduced its 2022 water consumption by 13%.
- During that same period, the company recovered 40 million lbs. of end-of-life material.
- Within its facilities, Mohawk recycled, recovered or reused 60% of its own manufacturing waste last year.
Impact on stakeholders
While the 2022 ESG Report showcases Mohawk’s efforts on the sustainability front, the findings also have ramifications for each segment/audience the company serves. These include customers, consumers, shareholders, communities and employees. In much the same way that labels on food packaging provide nutritional and sourcing information to help consumers make their purchasing decisions, the 2022 ESG Report provides essential information regarding Mohawk’s approach to sourcing, manufacturing and overall operational objectives.
“Consumers today want to know details,” Maynard explained. “When you buy an item online, you see a lot of information about what it was made from, how it was made, where it was made, etc. If you order from chain restaurants online, you’ll notice most of them now post-nutritional information. Consumers want to make informed decisions and good choices for themselves and their families. For our customers, the ESG Report provides topics to share with consumers to begin a dialogue about wants and needs.”
For floor covering retail sales associates and store owners, the 2022 ESG Report doubles as an educational tool. To that end, Mohawk offers a two-page condensed version of the report that focuses on the highlights. “This summary is a great tool to have on hand if a consumer asks about Mohawk’s commitment to people and the planet,” Maynard explained.
Future goals and objectives
Mohawk is not resting on its laurels. The company continues to set aggressive goals as it pertains to environmental, social and governance initiatives. For example, the company continues to work on lowering its carbon footprint—something it recently earned national recognition for over the past three years. Mohawk also expects to deliver “science-based” targets for the business in the near term.
“We are constantly developing new products to help retailers fulfill the expectations of consumers who want beautiful flooring, great value and a green story,” Maynard noted. “Delivering appealing, high-performing sustainable products to the market is our No. 1 goal.”