Green Commercial Solutions

Sustainable Design

Sustainability is defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable design marries two important themes: that environmental protection does not preclude economic development and that economic development must be ecologically viable now and in the long run. This concept of sustainability encompasses ideas, aspirations and values that continue to inspire public and private organizations to become better stewards of the environment and that promote positive economic growth and social objectives. The principles of sustainability can stimulate technological innovation, advance competitiveness, and improve our quality of life.

GreenGuard Standards

The GREENGUARD Standards for Low Emitting Products evaluate more than 75,000 chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carcinogens and reproductive toxins. Controlled pollutants include VOCs, respirable particles, formaldehyde, total aldehydes, ozone, and carbon monoxide. Specific chemicals, which are known irritants, odorants, or carcinogens must meet certain criteria for some products.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a non-profit organization based in Bonn, Germany. The Council's stated mission is "to promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world's forests". It carries out this role by certifying sustainably managed forestry operations, and tracking their timber through the supply chain to the end product, which can then carry the FSC ecolabel, giving consumers the chance to choose to buy sustainable timber products over unsustainably harvested alternatives.

Environmentally Preferred Products (EPP)

The Environmentally Preferred Products (EPP) program incorporates environmentally favored materials and design features, such as low toxicity and greater recycle-ability. The program helps ensure we meet both customer and legislative requirements, while helping to protect and preserve the environment.

Climate Neutral

Leading companies have now introduced climate neutral products and services to achieve a net zero impact on the earth's climate; international events, concert tours, cities, faith networks, non profits have similarly taken their activities climate neutral. The trend is growing rapidly as these organizations discover that climate neutrality can help them achieve goals central to their mission.

Cradle to Cradle (C2C)

Cradle to Cradle Certification provides a company with a means to tangibly, credibly measure achievement in environmentally-intelligent design and helps customers purchase and specify products that are pursuing a broader definition of quality. This means using environmentally safe and healthy materials; design for material reutilization, such as recycling or composting; the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency; efficient use of water, and maximum water quality associated with production; and instituting strategies for social responsibility.

California Gold Sustainable Carpet Standard

The standard was created to provide a market-based definition for a path to sustainable carpet, establish performance requirements for public health and environment, and address the triple bottom line, economic-environmental-social, throughout the supply chain. Adherence to this Standard and achievement of high levels of sustainable attribute performance can or should result in:

– Cost savings

– Design innovation

– Product differentiation

– Long term customer relationships

– Liability reduction

– Ecological restoration