A Circular Design Approach to Carpet Tile Recycling in a Historic Government Renovation

^{The Sound Transit headquarters at Seattle's historic Union Station.}  

^{Article written by: Frances Phillips, Senior Content Marketing Manager | Published by Shaw Contract} 

As Sound Transit continues construction on the largest public transit expansion currently underway in the United States, the agency is also investing in the spaces that support the teams delivering that work. Located within Seattle’s historic Union Station, Sound Transit’s headquarters renovation reflects a broader commitment to sustainability, circularity and responsible stewardship of public resources. 

At the center of the project was a large-scale carpet tile recycling initiative, demonstrating how government and public municipal organizations can reduce renovation waste while modernizing legacy spaces. 

See more images of Sound Transit

^{Lyric Tile in Edition} 

The Challenge: Modernizing a Historic Workplace Without Adding to Landfill Waste 

Following five years of remote work, Sound Transit initiated a phased return-to-office strategy in response to the City of Seattle’s mandate requiring local government organizations to be in office three days per week. The organization sought to refresh multiple headquarters spaces to better support collaboration while aligning with new sustainability goals focused on reducing construction waste and lowering embodied carbon. 

The renovation took place within Union Station, a National Register of Historic Places building that has served as Sound Transit’s headquarters since 1999. Originally constructed in 1911, the Beaux-Arts landmark required a careful, minimally disruptive renovation approach that respected the building’s architectural legacy while accommodating contemporary workplace needs. 

Like many renovation projects, existing flooring was installed nearly 15 years ago across multiple buildings. Replacing this carpet presented an opportunity to avoid landfill disposal and instead align the renovation with Sound Transit’s sustainability goals and the City of Seattle’s waste-reduction initiatives. 

^{Lyric Tile in Edition} 

The Approach: Designing for Circularity Through Re[Turn]® Carpet Tile Recycling  

Working directly with the Sound Transit facilities and space planning team, Shaw Contract introduced its Re[Turn]® carpet tile reclamation program as an alternative to landfill disposal. With support from commercial flooring contractor Legacy Group, a Shaw Contract industry partner with expertise in large-scale tenant improvement projects, the team confirmed that all existing Shaw Contract EcoWorx carpet tile could be reclaimed and turned into new EcoWorx carpet tile.  

The recycling scope was significant. Across two headquarters buildings, approximately 12,300 square yards of existing carpet tile was removed, palletized on-site by Legacy Group and transported to a Shaw Contract distribution center in the Seattle area. In total, nearly 34 tons of carpet tile were diverted from landfill and transported to Shaw Industries’ manufacturing headquarters where it will be turned into new EcoWorx carpet tile. 

“Recycling existing carpet aligns by advancing environmental stewardship, cost efficiency and responsible resource use. Diverting materials from landfill and extending their useful life supports waste reduction goals while contributing to long-term value in facility management,” said Olivia Rother, Sound Transit Sustainability Planner. 

The new flooring installation included 18,000 square yards of low‑embodied‑carbon, carbon‑neutral EcoWorx carpet tile, replacing existing carpet throughout Union Station’s Great Hall, mezzanine and garden levels and various office spaces across multiple floors. Legacy Group utilized a furniture lift installation, enabling efficient carpet tile replacement with minimal disruption during a phased occupancy renovation. 

When the newly installed EcoWorx carpet tile approaches its end-of-life cycle, all carpet tile can be diverted from landfill again through the re[TURN] carpet tile recycling program, supporting a circular economy and closing the loop on the product life cycle. 

Shaw Contract carpet tile installed during the Sound Transit renovation includes:

• Alongside Tile  
• Script Tile  
• Lyric Tile  
• Commons Tile 
• Collaboration Tile 
• Flat Weave Tile 
• Infinite Tile  
• Quad Tile  
• Collective IV Tile  

Furthering the renovation process, 4 ½ inch cove wall base was installed throughout the project.  

^{Alongside Tile in Unify}  

“As an agency taking on one of the largest transit expansion programs in the country, Sound Transit believes it is important to integrate sustainability into every part of our work through a triple bottom line approach that balances environmental, economic and community outcomes,” Rother said.  

The agency integrates sustainability into planning, design, construction and operations, with clear targets for reducing emissions, conserving resources and delivering long-term value, (which can be seen in the 2026-2030 Sustainability Plan!) Sustainability is not just what we do, but how we do it,” Rother said. 

The Results: Measurable Impact for Sustainability and Public Sector Leadership 

By prioritizing carpet tile recycling as part of the renovation strategy, Sound Transit achieved clear, measurable outcomes:  

• Approximately 12,300 square yards of existing EcoWorx carpet tile — about 34 tons, or the equivalent of three yellow school buses — were diverted from Seattle-area landfills, significantly reducing construction waste.
• Approximately 70,000 pounds carbon dioxide impact savings, the equivalent of planting 31 acres of trees and saving 3,570 gallons of gasoline, enough to drive 81,400 miles in an average car. 
• EPD-backed and Cradle to Cradle®–certified materials to support product transparency 
• Alignment with City of Seattle sustainability goals, including waste diversion and responsible material management 
• Demonstrated scalability of carpet recycling for large, historic government renovations 

Early collaboration between Sound Transit, flooring contractor Legacy Group and Shaw Contract played a critical role in the project’s success. While carpet recycling was not initially part of the plan, integrating re[TURN] early helped align the renovation with the organization’s sustainability goals. For government agencies, municipalities and commercial flooring contractors, the project offers a clear takeaway: carpet tile recycling is achievable, scalable and impactful part of the renovation process.  

Today, returning Sound Transit associates are welcomed into a refreshed Union Station workplace that supports collaboration while respecting the historic character of one of Seattle’s most iconic civic buildings. 

^{Alongside Tile in Unify}