Standards & Compliance Briefing: Basel and R2, Fuel Economy, Greenguard Select, LEED, B Corp

The Basel Action Network’s e-Stewards Certification for electronics recyclers now includes the earlier EPA-developed R2 (Responsible Recycling) practices. E-Stewards certifications already require adherence to the ISO 14001 standard. All three e-Stewards certifying bodies are accredited for R2 and can add R2 to the e-Stewards audits when conducted at the same time, EMT Worldwide said.

The Association of Global Automakers has launched DrivingFuelEconomy.com (pictured), a website reviewing the benefits of a harmonized national approach to fuel economy and GHG standards. The organization, which includes the U.S. divisions of 14 vehicle manufacturers, said that the standards are necessary for manufacturers to design, build and introduce into the marketplace advanced technology vehicles.

The Greenguard Environmental Institute, a division of UL Environment, has launched Greenguard Select, an indoor air quality certification with new criteria for formaldehyde emissions, lead and phthalate content, commercial furniture testing protocols, and volatile organic compound content levels.  Manufacturers may earn Greenguard Select certification for a residential, commercial, healthcare, or educational environment, the institute said.

The Atlanta office of design firm Perkins+Will has achieved LEED Platinum with 95 points awarded, the company said. The office building, originally constructed in 1985, includes the following upgraded features: raised flooring, a radiant heating and cooling system, dynamic exterior sunshades, natural daylight in virtually every occupied space, electricity generated from natural gas, and roof-based microturbines.

The Manhattan headquarters for Hearst Corporation has earned LEED Gold for new construction and LEED Platinum for existing buildings. Hearst has reduced its total energy consumption by 40 percent, cut total waste going to landfills by 82 percent, composts 100 percent of its wet food waste, and reduced water usage throughout the building by more than 30 percent per year, the company said.

Balfour Beatty Construction has earned LEED certifications for its Fairfax, Va., and Charlotte, N.C., locations as part of the company’s sustainable roadmap for all locations. Features of the buildings include energy efficient systems and equipment, occupancy sensors for lighting, use of recycled content and locally-sourced materials, and Energy Star appliances, the company said.

The new Fountaindale Public Library in Bolingbrook, Ill., has been awarded LEED Gold certification. Design and construction features include a full green roof, designated parking for fuel efficient and low-emission vehicles, water fixtures with 40 percent efficiency, and the use of recycled materials for more than 20 percent of total building needs, the library said.

Recyclebank, a company that developed a reward system of discounts and deals for green consumer actions, has re-certified its B Corporation status with B Lab. There are more than 500 certified B Corporations in 50 industries,  Recyclebank said.