It speaks volumes that the USGBC recognizes the importance of continuously improving material health standards in LEED® Version 4 by recognizing Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM products. - Howard Williams, VP of Construction Specialties, Inc.
Muncy, PA (PRWEB) September 12, 2013
The U.S. Green Building Council continues to drive the industry forward with integration of the Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM Program into its LEED® Version 4 rating system. Through its commitment to the program, Construction Specialties, Inc., a leading manufacturer of high-performing commercial building products, is championing the building industry’s redefined commitment to material health.
“This is a major milestone for the industry. It speaks volumes that the USGBC recognizes the importance of continuously improving material health standards in LEED® Version 4 by recognizing Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM products,” said Howard Williams, VP of Construction Specialties Inc., LEED® AP ID+ C. “We are pleased to be a front-runner in manufacturing Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM products, and hope the allowances LEED® v4 makes for material ingredient reporting, through models like the Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM Program, galvanize continued industry innovation.”
Nearly 20 years ago, Construction Specialties (C/S) began its environmental journey, when employees banded together to protect the local community from a proposed hazardous waste incinerator. This environmental reality initiated a larger discussion on the use of hazardous chemicals and inaugurated C/S’ quest to identify chemicals of concern and work toward eliminating them from its products. Since then, C/S has made big commitments to manufacturing sustainably and continuously improving its products for human and environmental health. Adopting the Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM Products Standard, pursuing certification, and greening its business practices has provided not only environmental rewards but also economic growth.
With over 39 Cradle to Cradle® certifications across five product groups and hundreds of options for product variations, C/S offers many LEED® v4 compliant selections. The company’s product innovation does not end here. C/S is dedicated to continuous improvement in all five attributes of the C2C CertifiedCM program: material health, material reutilization, renewable energy, water stewardship, and social fairness.
“The core intent of LEED® is to drive the industry forward. It has the proven power to change the status quo,” added Curt Fessler, Marketing Director, LEED® AP BD+C at Construction Specialties. “We’re excited that something we have held so close to our hearts is finally getting the broader attention it deserves.”
In 2004, C/S launched its first PVC-free (polyvinyl chloride) Acrovyn® 3000 product. Since then, C/S re-engineered its entire Acrovyn® line of products and modified its polyester formula to contain no PBTs (persistent bioaccumulative toxins), no BPA (bisphenol A) and no halogenated fire-retardants. The Acrovyn® 4000 line has various models Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM Gold and Silver.
C/S introduced the industry’s first on-product ingredient label in 2011. Much like a nutritional label on food products, this transparency label outlines what materials the product is made of, who produced it and where to find more information. C/S partnered with global architecture firm Perkins+Will to create this tool and accompanying website to make environmental and health disclosure easier for its customers and any manufacturer who chooses to adopt the template.
Last June, C/S launched the first commercial building products recycling locator to address recycling solutions and provide consumers the information and resources necessary to conveniently recycle and properly dispose of materials. The C/S Recycling Locator can be found at http://www.c-sgroup.com/corporate/recycling.
Over 65 LEED® APs and Green Associates are on the team, and C/S opened its LEED® Silver Certified office space at its manufacturing facility in Hughesville last June. The 8,748 square foot area was the first LEED® certified project in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.
The updated LEED® standard, announced in July, supports the Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM Products Standard as well as several popular methodologies for material ingredient reporting. LEED® projects can earn up to two points for Materials & Resources Credit MRc4, which pertains to building product disclosure and optimization. Certified products will contribute up to two points depending on the level of certification. To find out more details on the points, visit the USGBC website here: http://www.usgbc.org/node/2616399.
C/S is committed to sustainable manufacturing and commends the U.S. Green Building Council for driving the industry forward with its integration of the Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM Program into the LEED® Version 4 rating system. For more information about Construction Specialties, visit http://www.c-sgroup.com/ and follow them on Twitter @csinconline.
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About Construction Specialties
Construction Specialties manufactures and sells specialty architectural products internationally, with over 30 offices and manufacturing facilities worldwide. Its products include interior wall and door protection, entrance flooring, expansion joint covers, louvers, grilles, sun controls, explosion vents, smoke vents, and cubicle track/curtains. The company serves architects and designers, building owners, facility managers and contractors. Construction Specialties, Inc. was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Lebanon, New Jersey.
About LEED® and the Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM Program
LEED® rating systems (including Building Design & Construction, Interior Design & Construction, and Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance) now offer Materials & Resources Credits for building product disclosure, optimization and purchasing. Buildings using a minimum of 20 different products Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM at or above the Basic level (V2) or Bronze level (V3) can earn one point. Products certified at these levels have already surpassed the material ingredient reporting requirement with a chemical inventory of at least 0.1% (1000 ppm). An additional point is awarded for use of optimized products Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM at or above the Gold level (V2) or Silver level (V3) and equal a value of at least 25% by cost of permanently installed products. Prior to LEED® Version 4, buildings have been awarded Innovation in Design Credits (since April 2007) for use of Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM Products totaling at least 2.5% of the cost value of all permanently installed building products.
Cradle to Cradle® is a registered trademark of MBDC.
Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM is a certification mark licensed by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute.