Specialty Fabrics Review August 2019 - 96

THE GREATER GOOD

A call for change
Mermet Corporation's Weaving Change initiative seeks to protect
ecology, promote sustainability and improve communities.
BY PAUL JOHNSON

M

ermet Corporation was not
content to create just any standard
environmental stewardship
program for the company. Instead, the
Cowpens, S.C.-based innovative solar shade
manufacturer went several steps further to
create its Weaving Change initiative. The
program is a broad-based movement that
supports sound environmental textile
manufacturing, resource conservation,
environmental protection and charitable
projects. But these projects and initiatives
are not exclusively for Mermet; the company
coordinates and supports these efforts with
a variety of companies, organizations
and individuals.
"We want to create this movement," says
Colin Blackford, director of strategy and
innovation at Mermet. "We don't want this to
be all about Mermet. Instead, we want this to
be an industry thing and we want to populate
this hashtag. We also want to pat people on
the back and say you're weaving change. It's
a way for us to highlight all the good deeds
that we want to do at the company and all
the philanthropic actions that Mermet takes."
Mermet, a subsidiary of Hunter Douglas,
has instituted measures for positive
environmental improvements. Many of the
company's leading solar textile products are
based on recycled plastic products, so plastic
is kept out of landfills and waterways. In
addition, the company's manufacturing
methods have reduced carbon output and
saved vital resources.
As a polyester textile manufacturer,
Mermet is addressing plastic pollution. Part of
the Weaving Change movement is the U-Turn
beach and river clean-up project, and its goal
is to remove plastic waste from coastlines and
waterway areas. While a U-Turn project has
96 REVIEW AUGUST 2019

not taken place yet in the U.S., Mermet has
made waterway restoration a priority.
Developed in conjunction with
many leading manufacturers, Mermet's
GreenScreen is an ecologically friendly and
sustainable product that requires less energy
to manufacture than competitive products.
The Evolve and Revive solar screens are
cradle-to-cradle Bronze-certified products,
PVC-free and comply with the five quality
categories-material health and reutilization,
renewable energy and carbon management,
water use efficiency and social fairness.
Within the Weaving Change movement,
Mermet has provided GreenScreen products
to Habitat for Humanity, and has donated
to Special Olympics. In addition, it has also
supported individuals who are pursuing
environmental stewardship goals. Recently,
Mermet donated $10,000 to environmental
activist Jason Hallmark. After a recent
multiple sclerosis diagnosis, his goal was to
focus on the most important issues in his
life, so he teamed up with the Climate Force
Foundation and traveled to the Arctic. During
the expedition, he saw and reported on the
impact of climate change on the polar icecap.
According to a post on Hallmark's Facebook
page, "One way I plan to carry on my mission
to promote sustainability and environmental
stewardship is through my sponsorship with
Mermet and its #WeavingChange movement.
Since starting Weaving Change, Mermet has
focused its efforts on charitable community
work, protecting local ecology and making
sustainable products. Moving forward I know
we can Weave Change together and make the
world a better place!"
Paul Johnson is a writer based in Minnesota.

With funding from Mermet, MS survivor Jason
Hallmark joined the Climate Force: 2019 Arctic
Expedition. During the 12-day expedition, he
reported on the effects of climate change from
the top of the world. Renowned polar explorer
Robert Swan (left) and Hallmark (right) posed
with the Mermet banner during the expedition.
Photo: Trenton Branson.

SUPPORTED BY

Industrial
Fabrics
Foundation
www.ifai.com/industrial-fabrics-foundation/

Donate today at www.indfabfnd.com.

The Greater Good focuses on IFAI
member companies that do good
business-and also strive to be
good neighbors, good citizens
and good partners. From hiring
the disadvantaged to creating a
recycling network to paying
employees for community service
during the off-season, we want
to recognize the organizations
that share their success.
If you'd like to see your company
highlighted here, please email
associate editor Sammi Jones,
smjones@ifai.com.
http://www.ifai.com/industrial-fabrics-foundation/ http://www.indfabfnd.com
Specialty Fabrics Review August 2019

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