Standards & Compliance Briefing: Rainforest Alliance, LEED, Clean Truck Program, Green Mill Index

Caribou Coffee coffees and espresso are now all sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms, and it is the first major U.S. coffeehouse to meet this mark. Caribou Coffee last April announced its goal to source 100 percent of the coffee across all products from Rainforest Alliance farms by the end of 2011. Its products may now carry the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal, the company said.

The Defense Department may not use funds to pursue LEED Gold or Platinum status for its buildings, under the freshly signed National Defense Authorization Act. The DoD also is required to report to Congress on the cost-effectiveness of LEED certifications and the standards set by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. The law allows for LEED certification if project costs can be recovered through energy savings, writes the Federal Times.

An expansion at General Mills’ Albuquerque, N.M., facility earned LEED Gold certification, and it is the company’s first production facility and the fourth building to earn LEED certification, General Mills said, adding that there are fewer than 10 LEED certified food production facilities. The new facility has a recycling program that has nearly eliminated the plant’s waste paper, plastics, cardboard and packaging, and an estimated 30 percent reduction in energy use overall.

Cadillac Fairview has earned LEED Gold certification for its RBC Centre, a 1.2-million-square-foot office tower in downtown Toronto, and the building is now the largest certified LEED for New Construction project in Canada, the company said. The building is estimated to deliver a 40-percent energy cost savings and 47-percent indoor water savings. The Centre also will be pursuing LEED for Commercial Interiors certification.

The Port of Los Angeles announced results of its Clean Truck Program – a plan to reduce pollution from port trucks by January 1, 2012. The program offered incentives to purchase cleaner trucks, and followed a progressive schedule of limiting vehicles and levying fines. The Port exceeded its goal of reducing harmful emissions from trucks by 80 percent, with a 92 percent reduction in sulfur oxides, an 89 percent reduction in diesel particulate matter, and a 77 percent reduction in nitrogen oxides, the Port said.

Progroup AG’s corrugated paper board maker Propapier has completed a successful evaluation with the Green Mill Index for its PM2 mill site in Germany. The Green Mill Index, developed by consulting and engineering firm Pöyry, gives a review of production and mill site performance, drawing primarily from the European Commission’s standards for best available technology (BAT levels) and from statistical data on other mills, Pöyry said.

The UK’s East Midlands Airport has earned its third recertification of ISO 14001, marking nine years for the airport’s maintenance of the environmental management standard, and a gate check on the planned goal to achieve carbon neutrality in all ground operations in 2012. In addition to maintaining its EMS, the airport also has installed two wind turbines, built a low-carbon hotel on site, and achieved a recycling rate of 88 percent in 2011, according to AboutMyArea.co.uk.

The China CleantechTop 20 program, an initiative of Deloitte in collaboration with China-based venture capital firm Tsing Capital, has recognized Daqo New Energy with a 2011 Top 20 award. Daqo New Energy produces polysilicon for manufacturers of photovoltaic products, and its photovoltaic modules also are IEC 61730- and IEC 61216-complaint and ISO 9001, China Golden Sun, Australia CEC, CEC California Listing certified products, writes AzoCleanTech.com.

Harris Corporation’s Broadcast Communications operation in Quincy, Illinois has received the state’s 2011 Governor’s Sustainability Award. The Quincy facility – a radio and television transmitter manufacturing center – started nine environmental impact reduction projects in 2011. The project saved the company $137,000, and its efficiency measures have led to reductions in emissions, water and energy usage and operating costs for additional saving of more than $25,000, the company said.

Organic and sustainable seafood certification agency Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) has earned Certified B Corporation status. The Emeryville, Calif.-based company conducts reviews for 16 global accreditations in the categories of food safety and quality, environmental and sustainability. Certified B Corporations are reviewed for business practices that benefit people and the environment, and promote sustainability and transparency, SCS said.

ANSI and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) have developed a pilot accreditation program for entities that administer energy efficiency and renewable energy certificate-awarding programs. The program will be evaluated against the draft IREC Standard 14732: 2012, General Requirements for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Certificate Programs, which aims to determine curriculum, facilities, and equipment requirements for the training of the energy efficiency and weatherization and renewable energy workforce, ANSI said.

The National Registry of Food Safety Professionals (NRFSP) is now the first food safety manager certification program to be accredited by ANSI for the ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 standard for conformity. The certification helps ensure a safer dining environment and mitigates the risk of outbreaks of food borne illness. NRFSP will use Pearson VUE’s computer-based testing centers to deliver the NFRSP ISO-accredited certification exams around the world, the group said.