LaGRANGE, GA - The Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Recycling Division recently honored Milliken & Co. with a Recognition Award for its overall environmental achievements, including development of the Earth SquareT carpet renewal process. The presentation took place during the SPE Annual Recycling Conference in Dearborn, MI. "In addition to Earth Square, Milliken's overall environmental accomplishments, such as 98% reduction in solid waste and 88% reduction in SARA chemicals over 10 years, are extremely impressive and deserving of our recognition," said John McAuley, manager of environmental programs for Basell North America and awards chair for SPE Recycling Division. The Recognition Award is presented periodically to individual companies who have demonstrated environmental leadership in the plastics industry. "Milliken has reached zero waste to landfills in many categories because environmental stewardship drives our corporate philosophy. We accept this honor from SPE as we continue to set new goals for protecting the earth," said Bill Blackstock, manager for Milliken Carpet's Earth Square. Milliken's Earth Square program departs from traditional recycling efforts that shred carpet for secondary markets because the old carpet is actually renewed and reused in a closed loop recovery program. The used 18-inch or 36-inch square carpet tiles are sent to Milliken for a three-step renewal process, where they are super-cleaned, retextured and restyled using updated carpet designs. The tiles are then installed for another life cycle. Among its national honors, the Earth Square Program received the Grand Prize Environmental Solutions Innovations 2000 Award from Buildings and Buildings INTERIORS magazines; Most Outstanding New Product from the Buy Recycled Business Alliance, a partnership of the National Recycling Coalition; the first Evergreen Award from the US General Services Administration; and the Keep America Beautiful Award.