LaGrange,GA - InterfaceFLOR® styles backed with GlasBac®RE can earn an extra LEED® credit through a recent ruling by the U.S. Green Building Council.
The USGBC announced that projects seeking certification under the LEED Green Building Rating SystemTM can now earn "Innovation in Design" credit by using California Gold and SMART certified building products. GlasBacRE, InterfaceFLOR's high recycled content backing, has earned California Platinum certification. To earn the innovation credit, certified products must account for 2.5 percent of the total value of all building materials and products used in a project, based on costs.
"The USGBC ruling recognizes the superior environmental performance of California Platinum certified products by allowing their value to count double in the calculation," explains David Hobbs, president of InterfaceFLOR. "Consequently, InterfaceFLOR carpet backed with GlasBacRE need comprise only 1.25 percent of the total value of building materials of the project to meet the requirement. And GlasBacRE styles still contribute toward credits for low emitting carpet and recycled content."
"This is another in a series of examples of how LEED Innovation in Design credits drive ideas and solutions into the marketplace to deliver high performance buildings that have an immediate and measurable impact on slowing climate change and reducing our energy dependence on fossil fuels," says Tom Hicks, vice president of LEED for USGBC. "These exciting new directions in LEED will allow us to address the impacts of materials in the building industry in a much more sophisticated scientific manner."
Under California Gold, carpet is awarded points based on: the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency in the manufacturing process; recycled and bio-based materials; increased water conservation; facility and company achievements; social equity; and product reuse and reclamation.
Platinum certification is reserved for only the highest performing products; Gold is earned for the next tier of performance.
"We applaud the USGBC for recognizing life-cycle based environmental product certifications, such as California Gold and California Platinum, in the LEED rating system," adds Hobbs. "InterfaceFLOR is committed to Mission ZeroTM, our promise to eliminate any negative impact our company has on the environment by the year 2020, and California Platinum validates our progress towards zero footprint."
About USGBC
USGBC is a community of leaders working to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built, and operated. USGBC envisions an environmentally responsible, healthy, and prosperous built environment that improves the quality of life. Founding in 1993, the Council now comprises more than 10,000 member organizations representing every sector of the building industry; a 90-person professional staff; and a network of more than 70 local chapters, affiliates and organizing groups. Visit www.usgbc.org to learn more.
About InterfaceFLOR
InterfaceFLOR LLC, is a division of Interface Inc., and is one of the world's largest manufacturers of commercial modular carpet. For 34 years, the company has consistently led the industry through innovation and now leads the industry in environmental sustainability. InterfaceFLOR is setting the pace for development of modular carpet using materials and processes that take less from the environment, and is well along the path to "Mission Zero," the company's promise to eliminate any negative impact it has on the environment by the year 2020. InterfaceFLOR's worldwide carpet manufacturing facilities maintain third-party registration to the ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System and ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management System Standards; and the company has been recognized globally for its commitment to build environmental considerations into its business decisions. Go to www.interfaceflor.com to learn more.
