Standards & Compliance Briefing: Carbon Leadership Forum, Architecture 2030 Challenge, SEP Mature Pathway

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The Carbon Leadership Forum, an alliance of associations and companies in the building industry, announced the first US environmental footprint standards known as Product Category Rules for concrete mixes. The standards support the targets of the Architecture 2030 Challenge for Products, and address allocation in methods consistent with EPA policy, the alliance said.

Central Concrete Supply Co. is the first ready-mix supplier in the US to sign on to the 2030 Challenge for Products, an initiative to reduce GHG emissions from the building sector. Central Concrete said it has met its first 2014 target with concrete mixes that reduce the carbon footprint by about 30 percent compared to traditional Portland cement concrete. It said it is also the first concrete company in the US to initiate the development of environmental product declarations.

The Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations manufacturing facility in Wilson County, N.C. has become the first tire plant to earn ISO 50001 certification and the first plant, regardless of segment, to reach Superior Energy Performance Mature Pathway certification. The SEP certification requires a 15 percent reduction in energy use over the previous 10 years to receive recognition; the Wilson County plant has made verifiable energy savings of 16.8 percent between 2001 and 2011, Bridgestone said.

Swift Green Filters of Richmond, British Columbia, has earned certification to NSF/ANSI Standard 42 from the Water Quality Association for its new type of water filtration system. Manufactured in Canada, Swift Green Filters are made from coconut carbon. The company said it carbonizes its fibers using a method that converts wasted gas into thermal energy, as opposed to the traditional pit charring method that releases gases into the atmosphere.

AdBlue distributor GreenChem and its European subsidiaries have earned ISO 14001 certification for its Environmental Management System, after gaining ISO 9001 certification in 2011. Part of the GreenChem quality program includes engagement in partnerships with ISO 14001 certificated suppliers, writes Find AdBlue.

San Diego Gas & Electric's Energy Innovation Center has earned LEED Platinum certification. The facility exhibits energy efficiency, alternative fuel transportation and clean generation technologies and processes for residential and business customers. Some key elements of the building include on-site solar generation, a cool roof, and drought-resistant landscaping, SDG&E said.

Three construction projects from Howard S. Wright have earned LEED certification. The certified projects are Vestas US Headquarters, NWEA Commercial Interiors, and Rivergate Corporate Center III and IV, all located in Portland, Ore. The projects received platinum, gold, and silver certification, respectively, the company said.

PepsiCo has opened a new food and beverage innovation center in Shanghai, China, which is the company's largest research and development center outside of North America. The new facility was built to LEED specifications, and uses advanced technologies and processes to conserve resources and reduce operating costs, PepsiCo said.

Environment + Energy Leader