Nestlé USA announced that it will source 100 percent UTZ Certified cocoa beans for its line of everyday Crunch bars. The UTZ label is designed to ensure sustainable farming and better opportunities for farmers.
Central Concrete, a U.S. Concrete Inc. company delivering in the San Francisco Bay Area, says it is the first US company in any industry to produce environmental product declarations at the individual product level, with verification of more than 1,400 mix designs. Other companies have only achieved EPDs for classes of products, Central says. The company also says it is the first ready mix supplier in the United States to produce an EPD for concrete, and the first to receive external verification of its EPDs in accordance with ISO 14025 and ISO 21930.
Two LG Electronics front-load washing machines - models WM8000HVA and WM8000HWA - have become the first in the world to meet a new standard for household clothes washers. AHAM 7003-2013/CSA SPE-7003-13/UL 7003, Sustainability Standard for Household Clothes Washers, debuted this week.
The Collins Companies has disclosed all of ingredients in Collins Pine FreeForm particleboard products though the Declare program, and achieved a "Red List Free" determination. Declare is a database of non-toxic, sustainably sourced building products meeting the requirements of the Living Building Challenge.
Sims Recycling Solutions announced that its Dallas location has earned ISO 14001 environmental management and OHSAS 18001 health and safety certifications, Recycling Today reports. A list of certificates for all of Sims' North American facilities is available at the link.
AIReS, a provider of corporate relocation services, has passed its ISO 14001 environmental management re-certification with no negative findings. The company says it has introduced e-learning modules that eliminate the need for expensive travel and meeting time.
The Kaiser Westside Medical Center in Hillsboro, Ore., has received LEED Gold certification. The facility includes underground rainwater tanks, and solar panels to pump the water through an irrigation system, Sustainable Business Oregon reports.