Print

Sustainability

Sustainability Home
Awards/Certifications
Champions
Commitment
Connections
Initiatives
    Energy and GHG
    Forest Management
    Water
Sustainability Update
Sustainable Products
  

CONNECTIONS


We are proud to be affiliated
with the following entities in
achieving our sustainability
goals.

Click on each to learn more.

         
 
         
 
         
      
         
 
         
 
         

 
         
       



Canada Green Building Council  
Armstrong is a member of the Canada Green Building Council. CaGBC is the developer and administrator of LEED in Canada.

The Climate Registry  
In 2010, Armstrong achieved Climate Registry certification. To date, Armstrong is the only Climate Registry member that has completed and submitted three consecutive years of greenhouse gas inventory, third-party reporting to the organization.

Armstrong has collected all greenhouse gas emissions data from 2006 – 2008 through third-party verifier ERM Certification and Verification Services. ERM visited six Armstrong sites: Lancaster and Marietta, Pennsylvania; Beverly, West Virginia; and Macon, Georgia; Munster, Germany; and Shanghai, China. We’ve submitted the results from those analyses to The Climate Registry for final verification to help ensure our inventory is accurate and reported according to globally accepted best practices.

In 2008, Armstrong joined The Climate Registry, a nonprofit organization that establishes consistent, transparent standards throughout North America for businesses and governments to calculate, verify and publicly report their carbon footprints in a single, unified registry. The Registry is committed to:

  • Utilizing best practices in greenhouse gas emissions reporting;
  • Establishing a common data infrastructure for voluntary and mandatory reporting and emissions reduction programs;
  • Minimizing the burden on Members, Directors and Native Sovereign Nations;
  • Providing an opportunity for Members to establish an emissions baseline and document early action;
  • Developing a recognized platform for credible and consistent greenhouse gas emissions reporting;
  • Promoting full and public disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions while respecting business confidentiality.

Armstrong plans to have its greenhouse gas inventory certified by an independent third party in the third quarter of 2009.

Collaborative of High Performance Schools  
Armstrong is a member of the Collaborative of High Performance Schools. This organization facilitates the design of high performance schools: environments that are not only energy efficient, but also healthy, comfortable, well lit, and containing the amenities needed for a quality education.

Design Futures Council  
Armstrong is a research partner and corporate member of the Design Futures Council, an interdisciplinary network of design, product and construction leaders exploring global trends, challenges and opportunities to advance innovation, and shape the future of the industry and the environment. Since 2004, Armstrong has supported the Design Futures Council Leadership Summit on Sustainable Design at the highest level as a Platinum sponsor, the only manufacturer to do so

EMerge™ Alliance  
Armstrong is a founding governing member of EMerge Alliance. Brian Patterson, general manager, New Business Development for Armstrong’s ceiling division, is chairman of the Alliance and John Lamprinakos, president and CEO of the Armstrong-Worthington Joint Venture (WAVE), is treasurer.

EMerge Alliance was created in 2008 to promote the rapid adoption of the EMerge standard. This standard provides an efficient way to distribute safe, low-voltage direct current (DC) power in interior building systems via conductors like our new DC FlexZone™ commercial ceiling grid system. DC FlexZone allows the use of DC power for lighting fixtures, sensors and other electrical devices in the ceiling significantly improving the flexibility and reuse of interior spaces through “plug and play” modularity. Want to repurpose or reconfigure a space? There’s no need to rewire with DC FlexZone.

Commercial buildings use between a third and one half of the alternating current (AC) electricity produced and distributed by public utilities in the U.S. But companies today use more digital electronic devices that are inherently DC power. This demands that even more AC power be converted to DC (direct current) to make equipment like electronic lighting ballasts, solid state lighting (i.e. LEDs), HVAC controls and actuators, and assorted computer/IT equipment work. Similarly, DC power from renewable energy sources like solar or wind must be converted to AC to be compatible with public utility supplied power. These conversions result in a significant loss of electricity. EMerge Alliance advocates distributing power in commercial buildings as DC, which permits fewer and/or more efficient conversions.

The EMerge standard is focused on direct use of DC power, including sustainable energy sources like wind and solar. It also facilitates use of more sustainable devices like dimmable electronic ballasts, LED lighting and digital controls.

[read more]

The standard will be applicable to existing and new buildings.

EMerge Alliance is a non-profit corporation currently comprised of over 50 companies, including founding members Armstrong World Industries, Johnson Controls, Osram-Sylvania, Nextek Power and WAVE. The growing membership includes building product manufacturers, energy and power-related companies, engineering firms, building owners, relevant governmental agencies and trade groups.

EPA Green Power Partner 
Armstrong is a certified Green Power Partner of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  We purchase 2.2 million kilowatt hours of wind-generated energy, the equivalent of 75% of the power for our Corporate Headquarters Building 701.  By using clean, renewable wind power at this rate, it’s as if Armstrong planted 149,000 trees or removed 300 automobiles from the road.

The Green Power Partnership encourages organizations to purchase green power—solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro—as a way to reduce the risk of climate change and the environmental impacts associated with conventional electricity use.

Energy Star 
In 2007, Armstrong became an Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star Partner, reinforcing our fundamental commitment for continuous energy performance improvement. As an Energy Star Partner, we are committed to:

  • measuring, tracking and benchmarking global energy performance;
  • developing and implementing plans to improve energy performance, adopting Energy Star’s strategy; and
  • educating staff, stakeholders and the public about the partnership and achievements with Energy Star.

Using Energy Star’s Portfolio Manager, a National Energy Performance Rating system for buildings, Armstrong achieved the Energy Star label for its Lancaster Corporate Headquarters facility in 2006 and 2008.

Dave Eberly, a principal engineer at Armstrong’s corporate headquarters, says, “Building 701’s 93 rating is about as good as any building can get. However, we’ll continue to look at how we operate and make improvements when they make sense.”  

Energy Star rating, Building 701 meets or exceeds American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standards for thermal comfort (ASHRAE standard 55), indoor air quality (ASHRAE standard 62) and Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) recommended lighting levels for a comfortable work environment.

Jim Baker, director, facilities management, says, “The Energy Star Award is meaningful in a number of ways. It reinforces our company’s commitment to reduce water and electrical consumption, and proves that we’re performing against Our Sustainability Initiatives. Plus, hitting these milestones provides a good benchmark to follow as we review our other building operations. We hope achievements like the Energy Star designation inspire Armstrong employees to be more sustainable at home, too.”

Building Features Advanced HVAC System

Armstrong headquarters building uses an advanced heating, ventilating and air conditioning system that includes energy efficient motors for all air handlers and pumps in the building, along with an Energy Management Control System to control the motor systems and space temperatures. 

The system also features variable speed drives on all fans and pumps to reduce energy usage during part load/non-occupied periods.  All HVAC equipment uses CFC-free refrigeration and is zoned to create smaller areas for climate control. 

Combination of Natural and Artificial Light

The building’s design allows natural light to penetrate deep into the building.  Exterior sunshades ensure that summer sun does not overheat the interior and drive up cooling requirements.  Integrated control systems interface with lighting systems through outdoor photocells and timer functions to reduce energy consumption. 

Inside the building, occupancy sensors control lighting when spaces are occupied.  Dual level lighting further minimizes the use of artificial light and related heat gains.  The uplighting applications take advantage of the Armstrong high light reflectance ceiling panels used throughout the workspaces.

Measurement Devices Provide Feedback

The application of energy measurement devices provides continuous feedback on building performance compared to building specifications. The EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy introduced the Energy Star program in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. The Energy Star is awarded to facilities that achieve energy performance ratings of 75 or better, on a scale of 1 to 100. Ratings are calculated by comparing buildings of similar square footage on factors such as location, energy consumption, number of occupants, number of computers and other equipment and hours of operation. Buildings must also conform to industry standard for thermal comfort, air ventilation, control of indoor air pollutants and illumination.

 

FloorScore 
Armstrong is a founding member and active participant in FloorScore - a voluntary certification program that identifies flooring products that meet stringent air quality requirements for low emitting building materials.


Forest Stewardship Council 
 Armstrong’s Center, Texas, and Somerset, Kentucky, engineered hardwood flooring plants are now Forest Stewardship Council-US (FSC-US) “Chain of Custody” certified. The certification means these plants have verified they can segregate and identify FSC-certified hardwood as it leaves the forest and becomes Armstrong hardwood flooring.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a non-profit organization devoted to encouraging the responsible management of the world’s forests. FSC sets high standards that ensure forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically viable way. Landowners and companies that sell timber or forest products seek certification as a way to verify to consumers that they have practiced forestry consistent with FSC standards. Independent, certification organizations are accredited by FSC to carry out assessments of forest management to determine if standards have been met. These certifiers also verify that companies claiming to sell FSC certified products have tracked their supply back to FSC certified sources. This chain of custody certification assures that consumers can trust the FSC label.

Trusted environmental organizations including Greenpeace, National Wildlife Federation, The Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, and World Wildlife Fund all support and encourage FSC certification. Consumers wishing to support healthy forests and communities should look and ask for the FSC label when purchasing wood or paper products.

Georgia Association of Water Professionals  
The Georgia Association of Water Professionals (GAWP) has awarded the Armstrong Building Products Macon Waste Water Treatment facility 2007 Plant of the Year in the direct discharge, biological category. “Direct discharge, biological” refers to the direct discharge of manufacturing water into a natural water source instead of a municipal treatment plant. The plant was graded on permit monitoring, process control, safety, maintenance, solids management, and staffing and training. Other major manufacturing facilities in Georgia considered for this honor included Perdue, Tyson, Anheuser-Busch and PepsiCo. Our Treatment Plant was also awarded the 2007 GAWP Plant of the Year in Safety.

Good Environmental Choice Australia  
Armstrong has fifteen ceiling products, manufactured in seven plants around the world, that are certified as environmentally preferable by Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA).

The Good Environmental Choice Australia label is recognized by architects, manufacturers, designers and building industry professionals as the leading life-cycle, assessment-based eco-labeling program in Australia. The program is managed by Good Environmental Choice Australia Ltd., a not-for-profit national environmental research and certification organization, in accordance with ISO 14024, the International Standard for Third Party Environmental Labeling and Declaration.

Click here for the list of Armstrong plants and products that are officially GECA-licensed:

U.S.

• Macon, Ga:  Textura and Dune Second Look

• Marietta, Pa:   Fine Fissured High Acoustic

• Pensacola, Fla:  Ceramaguard

• St. Helens, Ore:  Fine Fissured Second Look, Fine Fissured High Acoustic

Germany

• Munster:  Prima Fine Fissured, Prima Sahara, Bioguard Acoustic, Ultima

France

• Pontarlier:  Dune Max

China

• Shanghai:  Fine Fissured, Dune

Green Building Council of Australia 
Armstrong is helping to promote sustainable development and the implementation of green building programs, technologies and design practices in Australia as a member of the Green Building Council.

Greenhouse Challenge Plus  
Armstrong Australia received the national 2007 Greenhouse Challenge Plus Award for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 23 percent over five years. This means our two Australian floor plants have reduced CO2 emissions by 3,000 tons on an annual basis.

Hardwood Forestry Fund 
At Armstrong, we are committed to protecting forests and promoting responsible forest management practices. In 2008, in partnership with the Hardwood Forestry Fund (HFF), Armstrong funded tree planting and forest regeneration projects as part of our Forest Management Sustainability Initiative to replenish what we harvest.

The philanthropic arm of the Hardwood Plywood & Veneer Association, HFF matches environmentally conscious companies with forestry projects, and promotes hardwood timber growth, management, environmental education, and wise use of the nation's renewable forest resources.

[read more]

Hardwood Plywood & Veneer Association 
As a member of the association, Armstrong is helping to promote and support the use of high-quality, environmentally sound, decorative wood products manufactured in North America.

 

Indian Green Building Council
Armstrong is a founding member of the Indian Green Building Council.

International Interior Design Association 
Armstrong is a member of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), supporting its mission to enhance quality of life through excellence in interior design.

Keep Australia Beautiful  
We manufacture commercial resilient flooring at two floor plants in Victoria, Australia, in Thomastown and Braeside, both near Melbourne. In 2007, these plants recycled 300 tons of post-consumer and post-industrial waste — water bottles, paper, plastic shopping bags and vinyl flooring scraps. For those efforts, Armstrong received the Keep Australia Beautiful Sustainable Cities Litter & Waste Management Award in 2006 and their Zero Waste Award in 2007.

Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association 
The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) represents kitchen, bath and other residential cabinet manufacturers and suppliers in the U.S.  Armstrong participates in the KCMA Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP).  After meeting the certification requirements in areas such as air quality (low-formaldehyde emitting composite wood), resource management and environmental stewardship, all Armstrong cabinets have been certified by the KCMA.

National Association of Home Builders 
Known as “the voice of the housing industry,” the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) represents more than 235,000 members involved in all aspects of home building and remodeling. Through our membership and participation in the annual National Green Building Conference, Armstrong is able to present innovative green building products and ideas for the mainstream residential building industry.

National Association of the Remodeling Industry 
As a member of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), Armstrong stays on top of key trends and standards in the remodeling industry. Green remodeling, for example, is one of the hot topics in the industry, and NARI has rolled out a green remodeling education program focusing on energy efficiency and conservation, indoor air quality, efficient use of resources, recycling of demolition material and renewable energy sources.

REGREEN ASID & USGBC
Sustainable renovation practices are as important as new construction, and Armstrong is helping to bring best practice guidelines to homeowners, residents, design professionals, product suppliers and service providers through its participation in the REGREEN program with the American Society of Interior Designers’ (ASID) Foundation and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

SmartWaySM Transport Partnership 
 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SmartWaySM brand represents cleaner and more efficient transportation options that reduce greenhouse gases and improve air quality. In its simplest form, the SmartWay logo identifies companies, organizations, services and products that are reducing transportation-related emissions. However, the impact of the logo and the brand is much greater as the SmartWay brand signifies a partnership among government, business and consumers to protect our environment and improve our air quality for future generations. All EPA transportation programs bearing the SmartWay logo must have:

  • significant, measurable air quality and/or greenhouse gas improvements while maintaining or improving current levels of other emissions and/or pollutants
  • a proven mechanism to quantify benefits
  • a verifiable reporting mechanism
  • a written, partnership-type agreement
  • an education requirement that connects the brand with its environmental benefits

Tropical Forest Foundation 
Armstrong supports the Tropical Forest Foundation (TFF), a non-profit, educational institution dedicated to the conservation of tropical forests through sustainable forestry. TFF has become widely recognized for establishing demonstration models and training schools to show the advantages and teach the principles of sustainable forest management/reduced-impact logging. 

Armstrong requires its wood suppliers to adhere to all applicable laws and regulations, including those covering raw materials. Less than five percent of the Company’s wood purchases come from tropical forests. In those instances, Armstrong requires suppliers to provide documentation verifying their adherence to national and international rules and regulations governing tropical wood species.

UK Green Building Council 
Armstrong is a member the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC). Founded in 2007, the UKGBC’s mission is to dramatically improve the sustainability of the built environment by radically transforming the way it is planned, designed, constructed, maintained and operated.

U.S. Green Building Council 
As a founding member of the U.S. Green Building Council, Armstrong recognizes the importance of sustainable design and the value associated with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™. Armstrong is committed to developing products that help contribute to achieving LEED credits.

USGBC LEED-EB Platinum  
The U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings (USGBC LEED-EB) maximizes operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. It provides a recognized, performance-based benchmark for building owners and operators to measure operations, improvements and maintenance on a consistent scale. Armstrong was awarded the highest level of USGBC certification, LEED-EB Platinum, in 2007 for Building 701, its Corporate Headquarters in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Built in 1998 as a "green" building, Building 701 includes design features that help it be an economically profitable, environmentally responsible and productive place to work. Building 701 has had design and operational improvements over the years, and has become an example of a healthy, sustainable facility.

Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards  
Armstrong Australia was inducted into the Victorian state government’s Manufacturing Hall of Fame in 2008 for making outstanding contributions to sustained manufacturing excellence, particularly in the area of reducing our environmental footprint.

The 77 member companies in the Manufacturing Hall of Fame demonstrate the foresight, creativity and energy to advance manufacturing in Victoria, Australia, with innovative solutions to global manufacturing issues that have made them world leaders.

Vinyl Council Australia – Product Stewardship Commitment Program 
In 2002, Armstrong along with 32 other companies in the Australian PVC (polyvinyl chloride) industry, in conjunction with Environment Australia, signed and publicly released a Product Stewardship Commitment. The event was held at Armstrong’s Braeside Flooring Plant.

The Commitment documents a series of measures the PVC industry is undertaking to address the health and environmental concerns associated with the manufacture, use and disposal of these products.