Ray Anderson, Sustainability Champion
in Providence May 21st
Interface Carpets Corporate Chairman transformed his company through a vision of sustainability. He set a goal in 1994 to eliminate his company's ecological footprint by 2020.
Since 1995 his company has increased sales by nearly 50% while:
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Saving more than $336 million through sustainability efforts
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Cutting fossil fuels use by 45%
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Cutting worldwide contribution to landfills by 80%
He will be speaking about his own experiences in turning his own company around and how business must be a leader in turning the world's environmental problems around.
Here is a short bio of Ray Anderson:
The story is now legend; the “spear in the chest” epiphany Ray Anderson experienced when he first read Paul Hawken’s “The Ecology of Commerce” seeking inspiration for a speech on the company’s environmental vision. Fifteen years and a sea change later, Interface, Inc., is half-way towards the vision of “Mission Zero,” the journey no one would have imagined for the company or the petroleum-intensive industry of carpet manufacturing which has been forever changed by Anderson’s vision. Mission Zero is the company’s promise to eliminate any negative impact it may have on the environment, by the year 2020, through the redesign of processes and products, the pioneering of new technologies, and efforts to reduce or eliminate waste and harmful emissions while increasing the use of renewable materials and sources of energy.
The once captain of industry, now environmentalist, has authored a book chronicling his journey, “Mid-Course Correction,” and become an unlikely screen hero in the 2004 Canadian documentary, “The Corporation.” He’s a sought after speaker and advisor on all issues eco, including a stint as co-chairman of the President’s Council on Sustainable Development. He was named one of TIME International’s Heroes for the Environment in 2007. (additonal information about Ray)
While the event is free, seating is limited. Please register for the event below.
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