* What: The U.S. General Services Administration has awarded J&J Industries the 2009 Evergreen Award for its efforts in recycling, affirmative procurement and waste reduction.
* Company: J&J industries manufactures commercial broadloom and modular carpet products through its lead brand, J+J/Invision
* Located: Dalton, Ga.
* How's it green? Company officials say J&J has collected more than 35 tons of recyclable materials from an employee recycling program, diverted more than 41 tons of waste from landfills, and reduced waste sent to landfills from 248 pounds per thousand yards of carpet to 20 pounds per thousand yards of carpet manufactured. The company has also reduced water consumption by 35 percent and greenhouse gases by 10 percent, and donated wetlands and green space to the city of Dalton. The company makes its own yarn from wasted materials gathered during the extrusion process.
* Why done this way? Greater numbers of customers are beginning to demand recycled products, and carpet companies are responding to that demand.
* Plans for expanding in future: The company is studying its operations top to bottom, from manufacturing to delivery, to root out inefficiencies.
* Advice? Becoming a green company starts with employees.
* Is environmentalism an esential part of business and why? "I think it's an essential part of the business," said Natalie Faulkner, marketing and communications manager with J&J.
-- Compiled by staff writer Ellis Smith, esmith@timesfreepress.com