Mohawk Industries has been recognized by Newsweek in the magazine’s fifth ranking of the 500 “greenest” publicly traded U.S. companies. Mohawk has been the highest ranked publicly traded flooring manufacturer during each year the rankings have been released, according to the company.

The Newsweek rankings use key indicators to measure environmental performance of large publicly-traded companies that are delivering solid business results while minimizing their environmental impact. According to the magazine, the rankings focus heavily on how efficiently businesses manage resources, which is a critical component of corporate sustainability.

Mohawk ranked 314th in “Green Rankings 2012,” the last year the magazine compiled the list. The company's 2014 ranking -- at 241 -- is its highest since 2010. Newsweek and its new methodology partner, Corporate Knights Capital, revised the metrics used to calculate the 2014 rankings, making comparisons between manufacturing companies like Mohawk more equitable with financial services, technology and other sectors.

“Our company continues to grow, and we’re making good choices to manage our energy and water consumption and repurpose our waste stream,” said Dave Patton, chief sustainability officer. “Our investments in sustainability are making us a more efficient and productive operation and delivering value-added products for our customers.”

Mohawk has promoted a “no waste culture,” with 17 North American facilities currently sending no process waste to landfills. According to Mohawk, plans are underway to increase that number to 28 by the end of 2014.

The company also has established goals for reduced waste and lower water, energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity. Progress is being made at both the site and enterprise levels. According to Mohawk, six of the company’s 10 North American ceramic tile manufacturing facilities currently recycle 100% of their process waste water. Across the business, Mohawk has reduced energy and GHG intensities by targeting reductions, improving efficiencies and utilizing cleaner fuels, according to the company.

Mohawk’s annual sustainability report illustrates the company’s progress toward these and other goals and highlights many examples of its current practices. The report is available online at mohawksustainability.com. The content of the report includes much of the same information used by the Newsweek team to compile their rankings.

This year, eight metrics were applied to collectively provide a transparent measurement of overall corporate environmental performance:

• Energy Productivity

• GHG Productivity

• Water Productivity

• Waste Productivity

• Reputation

• Sustainability Pay Link

• Sustainability Board Committee

• Audited Environmental Metrics

“Mohawk’s improvement in Newsweek’s ‘green’ rankings reflects the ongoing expansion of sustainable practices across our enterprise,” said Jenny Cross, vice president of corporate sustainability. “We are constantly implementing innovative ideas to reduce water and energy consumption and minimize our waste stream. We’re proud of our culture of sustainability.” 

Newsweek launched its annual Green Rankings in 2009. The list represents the first attempt by a mainstream media organization to evaluate publicly traded companies in the U.S. and around the world on their environmental footprint, the methods through which they manage that footprint and their sustainability communications. 

To read more about the Newsweek’s Green Rankings, visit newsweek.com.