Confessions of a Radical Industrialist: Profits, People, Purpose--Doing Business by Respecting the Earth

Ray C. Anderson · Robin White

Sep 2009 · Sold by St. Martin's Press

About this ebook

In 1994, Interface founder and chairman Ray Anderson set an audacious goal for his commercial carpet company: to take nothing from the earth that can't be replaced by the earth. Now, in the most inspiring business book of our time, Anderson leads the way forward and challenges all of industry to share that goal.

The Interface story is a compelling one: In 1994, making carpets was a toxic, petroleum-based process, releasing immense amounts of air and water pollution and creating tons of waste. Fifteen years after Anderson's "spear in the chest" revelation, Interface has:

-Cut greenhouse gas emissions by 82%

-Cut fossil fuel consumption by 60%

-Cut waste by 66%

-Cut water use by 75%

-Invented and patented new machines, materials, and manufacturing processes

-Increased sales by 66%, doubled earnings, and raised profit margins

With practical ideas and measurable outcomes that every business can use, Anderson shows that profit and sustainability are not mutually exclusive; businesses can improve their bottom lines and do right by the earth.

Ratings and reviews

Very good book although you have to come up with your own application. One glaring omission was the handling of the care and cleaning of installed carpet. I wonder if Interface accounts for that in their numbers? Well worth reading and lots of numbers-based evidence that sustainability is good business.

About the author

RAY ANDERSON was named one of Time magazine's Heroes of the Environment and one of MSNBC.com's Top 15 Green Business Leaders in 2007. He and Interface have been featured in three documentary films, including "The Corporation" and "So Right, So Smart." He co-chaired the President's Council on Sustainable Development and the Presidential Climate Action Project. He and Interface have been featured in The New York Times, Fortune, Fast Company, and many other publications.