Designing for the Public Good: How a New Jersey Library Embraced Circular Renovation

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

As one of New Jersey’s most recognized sustainability leaders — earning repeated Silver‑Level Sustainable Jersey certification and statewide Sustainability Champion recognition — Hillsborough Township consistently looks for ways to reduce environmental impact across municipal projects. When the Hillsborough branch of the Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (SCLSNJ) planned a long‑anticipated renovation, the team saw an opportunity to extend that beyond design and into how renovation waste is managed.

Through a partnership between Flooring Foundation and Shaw Contract, the Hillsborough Library branch renovation demonstrates how public institutions and commercial flooring contractors can collaborate to reduce landfill waste, support a circular economy and create more sustainable public spaces without adding complexity to the renovation process.

The Challenge: Renovating Responsibly in a High‑Traffic Public Space

The Hillsborough Library branch is one of the largest and most heavily used branches in Somerset County. Spanning approximately 17,000 square feet, the library serves 45,000 patrons of all ages year‑round, from children to senior adults. It functions not only as a place for books and learning but also as a community hub where people gather, connect and spend meaningful time together.

As part of a multi‑phase renovation, library leadership identified the replacement of more than 20‑year‑old carpet as the final major upgrade. Like many municipal projects, the renovation needed to balance durability, budget and sustainability without disrupting daily operations or defaulting to renovate waste landfill disposal.

“After our spring 2025 renovation gave the library a wonderful facelift, the last remaining upgrade was replacing the existing carpet,” said Cathy DeBerry, branch manager, Hillsborough Library branch. “We’re excited for library visitors to enter a space that is brighter, fresher and more comfortable, especially families and children who often sit and play on the floor.”

For municipalities, projects like Hillsborough raise a familiar question: can sustainability goals be met without increasing project risk or cost? The challenge was identifying a flooring solution and recycling approach that aligned with the library and the township’s environmental leadership while remaining practical and budget conscious.

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The Approach: Partnering to Close the Loop

From the outset, the project team explored ways to responsibly manage existing flooring materials while selecting new products designed with circularity in mind. Flooring Foundation, a commercial flooring dealer with experience in reclamation and recycling, partnered with Shaw Contract to guide the public library process.

“For decades, the commercial construction industry did what was easiest. We pulled material out and sent it to a dumpster,” said David Knaub, Owner of Flooring Foundation. “At some point, you must take stock of that and decide to do better. Participating in carpet recycling isn’t optional anymore. It’s how flooring dealers take responsibility for the materials we put into the world.”

Flooring Foundation coordinated the removal of existing carpet and identified responsible recycling pathways to divert material from landfill. Shaw Contract EcoWorx® carpet tile was then installed, delivering a durable, high‑performance solution designed with the full lifecycle of the product in mind.

The project features these EcoWorx carpet tiles, which are designed to meet the performance needs for high-traffic public libraries:

• Mediate carpet tile
• Color Form carpet tile
• Alignment carpet tile

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

“What makes the re[TURN] program work is alignment between all parties,” Knaub said. “When a flooring dealer and a manufacturer share the same values, you can complete the full cycle. We’re not just installing new product but responsibly handling what comes out of the renovation.”

For commercial flooring contractors, the Hillsborough project demonstrates how proactive recycling partnerships can differentiate their services and build trust with municipal clients. For the library, the approach mirrored its mission as a community steward.

“Recycling aligns closely with the library’s role in the community,” said Peter Bromberg, SCLSNJ Library Director. “Libraries champion lifelong learning, resource sharing and sustainability. By recycling materials and reducing landfill waste, we model environmentally responsible practices.”

Importantly, the recycling process was integrated into the renovation workflow, requiring no additional burden on library staff or township teams.

"The new carpet provides a welcoming space for library visitors. We are glad to see these improvements move forward as the library continues to serve Hillsborough residents," said Hillsborough Mayor Catherine Payne.

The Results: A More Sustainable Space and a Model for Municipal Renovations

The renovated Hillsborough Library branch now reflects both the evolving needs of its patrons and the values of the community it serves. The new carpet completes the transformation by prioritizing comfort, flexibility and durability in spaces designed for families and children who read, gather and play on the floor every day.

“The Hillsborough branch has truly evolved into a community hub,” said DeBerry. “This final phase was designed to better align the building with how our community uses the library today by creating open, flexible areas that encourage connection and discovery.”

Beyond the physical upgrade, the project highlights what’s possible when municipalities, public institutions, flooring contractors and manufacturers collaborate with intention. By prioritizing carpet recycling and landfill avoidance, the team advanced SCLSNJ and Hillsborough Township’s sustainability goals while remaining practical and repeatable.

“Most flooring materials don’t biodegrade. They’ll be in a landfill for hundreds of years,” Knaub noted. “Choosing re[TURN] carpet tile recycling is about leaving a better world for the generations that come after us.”

As public institutions across the country look to modernize aging facilities, the Hillsborough Library branch renovation offers a replicable model for other libraries and municipal spaces.

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Building Better Together

The Hillsborough branch renovation is more than a single success story. It shows how renovation waste can be rethought and how flooring dealers and municipalities can make smarter choices together.

At Shaw Contract, we believe design can help create a better future when it’s grounded in real‑world solutions and strong partnerships. Through re[TURN] and dealer collaboration, Shaw Contract helps address flooring across its full lifecycle—not just installation—supporting carpet recycling and circular economy participation at scale.

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