Atiyeh International’s Tom Atiyeh accepted a 2023 GreenStep Award from Floor Covering Weekly’s Senior Managing Editor, Mallory Cruise-McGrath at the Dalton Georgia Country Club on September 14th.
FCW’s Sustainability Awards Program culminated with six categories. Atiyeh International is the Process/Practice winner. Companies that won in different categories are Mohawk Group, Interface, Tarkett, Shaw Industries, and HMTX Industries.
Atiyeh’s entry included solar power production of 41,000 kWh and offsetting 44 tons of carbon dioxide emissions since activation in 2017. The company’s high-end rug production uses hand-spun wool yarn and natural dyes to avoid material obsolescence. The outdoor entrance to their showroom has permeable pavers with substrate gravel capable of infiltrating rainwater and melting snow rather than running off to the road. Both Tom and Leslie Atiyeh devote significant hours to non-profit organizations.
Tom Atiyeh. Photo credit Ali Valdivia of Interface.
Upon accepting the GreenStep award, Tom held up a Certificate of Achievement and quipped “The last time I was in Dalton was over 40 years ago to attend the Carpet and Rug Institute’s Product Training School,” which drew a lot of chuckles.
FCW’s commitment to sustainability will be featured during Surfaces 2024 GreenStep Lounge at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.