WASHINGTON, D.C.—A culmination of decades of being at the forefront of national sustainability initiatives, Greenthink by Rick Fedrizzi, CEO and founding chair of USGBC, puts forth an argument that is as controversial as it is clear: leverage the motive of profit to save the world—and its humans—from environmental catastrophe. For decades, he notes, environmentalists and the private sector have been at odds. Activists have decried the impact of industry on the environment. Business leaders, meanwhile, resent environmentalists for “job-killing regulations.” But in Greenthink, Fedrizzi turns conventional wisdom on its head by showing how profit can save the planet, and...

PORTLAND, ORE.—Viridian Reclaimed Wood announced the introduction of Northwind, a line of commercial-grade paneling derived from reclaimed transpacific crating material, according to Viridian co-owner Pierce Henley. Made from a mix of slow-growing spruce and pine from the frigid climate of subarctic Russia, the paneling is available in two varieties: Rustic (in natural, ebony, silver and mocha stains) and Smooth (in natural, ebony and whitewash).“Northwind reclaimed wood paneling is a very affordable, turnkey solution with consistent specs,” Henley said. “Designers can use it in environments where either rustic or neutral wood finishes are desired, which makes it extremely versatile for...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Four key green-building stakeholder organizations (ASTM International, ICC Evaluation Service, NSF International and Sustainable Minds) launched the first Program Operator Consortium. The signing took place at Greenbuild 2015. The consortium will serve as an expert resource and advocate for creating product category rules (PCRs), reviewing life cycle assessment (LCA) reports, and verifying and publishing environmental product declarations (EPDs). The consortium members will pool resources; leverage existing relationships; jointly conduct outreach, marketing, education and communications; and promote the overall use of PCRs, LCAs and EPDs in the marketplace. Manufacturers, design professionals and others will begin to see co-branded, verified EPDs from...

SPARTANBURG, S.C.—Milliken’s floor covering division launched its first-ever sustainability report to provide transparency and detailed insight into the company’s global operations and product offering.“To Milliken, success is grounded in intentional environmental stewardship and has been for more than a century,” noted Jim McCallum, President of the global Milliken floor covering division. “This report sheds light on the lofty expectations of a holistic approach to sustainability that we set for our company to create innovations that ‘do good’ for the world.”Material issues addressed include: chemical and human health impacts, recycled content and recyclability, resource consumption, supply chain impacts of products...

DALTON, GA.—Tandus Centiva, a Tarkett company, has received ISO 14001-2004 Certification for its manufacturing facility in Truro, Nova Scotia. All Tandus Centiva manufacturing facilities in Dalton Ga, Calhoun Ga., Florence, Ala., and Truro, Nova Scotia are now ISO 14001 certified. ISO 14001 is a third-party certification that requires an organization to establish, document and continuously improve an Environmental Management System (EMS). An Environmental Management System is a set of processes and practices that involves maintaining environmental compliance with regulations and measuring reporting on environmental metrics. It enables an organization to reduce its environmental impact and increase its operating efficiency...

DALLAS—ForrestPerkins announced that it will combine practices with international design and architecture firm Perkins Eastman effective January 1, 2016. The combined practice will enhance the ability of both firms to expand their reach in luxury hospitality and residential projects worldwide while continuing to provide the high level of design and client service for which both firms are known. The combined international firm will total almost 1,000 employees.In joining Perkins Eastman, ForrestPerkins will remain a distinct brand for luxury hospitality and high-end residential interior design.“I am thrilled to join forces with Perkins Eastman, a firm for which I have enormous...

CHICAGO—Expanding its Unique Effects Collection with two new styles—Banana Bark and Jacinthe—MDC, the leading wallcovering and design solutions company, offers hospitality interiors the luxury of hand-woven, sustainably sourced goods for the wall.“The new styles are special gifts from Mother Nature,” said Dan Brandt, Product Manager at MDC. “Not only are Banana Bark and Jacinthe beautiful in their design, but even more so, they’re beautiful because of where they come from and how they’re made. Every installation is truly unique.”Banana Bark is sourced with minimal impact from the stems left behind after a banana harvest. It is intricately hand-woven in...

MONTREAL—Arborite, a manufacturer of high pressure laminate, and Wilsonart, a leading manufacturer of decorative engineered surfaces for more than 50 years, announced their combined sponsorship at the platinum level of the Save a Sample! program. Save a Sample! provides a second life for unused brochures, samples, fabrics, and finish cards by delivering them to design schools and students for use in their projects and design work. Arborite and Wilsonart’s combined platinum level sponsorship aids Save a Sample! in its mission to continue to help budding designers as well as the environment.“Arborite and Wilsonart, as companies on the cutting edge...

CHICAGO—The Olympia Companies and SMART Hotels LLC announced that Hyatt Place Chicago-South/University Medical Center in Chicago’s iconic Hyde Park neighborhood has been awarded LEED Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in the New Construction category. The hotel is the first Hyatt Place in the world to be LEED Gold certified. The property was designed by Legat Architects, one of the leading green design firms in the Midwest, and built by William A. Randolph Construction Co. The Olympia Companies, an innovative privately-owned real estate company specializing in hotel investment, development and management, partnered with SMART Hotels LLC...

NEW YORK—DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) is bringing its Specify With Care (SWC) cause-related marketing program on the road this fall. The initiative invites companies to donate a percentage of sales from designated collections to benefit DIFFA in its fight against HIV/AIDS. Specify With Care affiliate products will be displayed at both NeoCon East in Philadelphia (October 28 to 29, Booth #100-A) and BDNY in New York City (November 8 to 9, Booth #178). Current participating affiliates include Blanco, Bolon, Ege, Maya Romanoff, Laufen and Wolf Gordon. DIFFA Executive Director Johanna Osburn, comments, “Specify With Care...