LEED Certification/Environmental Commitment
As part of NSF's ongoing commitment to protecting the environment, NSF adopted the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ in the expansion of their Michigan based corporate headquarters. The LEED system encourages sustainable green building and development practices. This third-party certification ensures that the project is environmentally responsible, profitable, and is a healthy place to work.
LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability in recognizing performance in key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. Resulting benefits of NSF adopting LEED in the expansion project include:
- Conserve energy and water
- Healthier and safer for occupants
- Reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions
- Lower operating costs and increased asset value
- Demonstration of the commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility
Specifics of NSF's project include:
- Ensuring erosion, sediment control and water conservation by adding two retention ponds and infiltration wells to the site.
- Planting native grasses and plants protects runoff from the building and parking lot; 59 new trees were planted on the property as a result of the expansion.
- NSF promoted a reduction of greenhouse gasses by installing bike racks and changing rooms add convenience for those biking to work.
- Low-flow toilets produce a 19% reduction is water usage, while waterless urinals increase this to 34% reduction towards water conservation.
- Compact florescent lighting was used throughout the building. In addition each room has a timer and motion sensors indicating when lighting is necessary.
- NSF's comprehensive recycling program includes recycling Styrofoam, paper, metal, plastic and glass. For information on how to create a recycling program please visit the Environmental Protection Agency's website.
- 12% post-consumer recycled material was used in the building including recycled carpeting.
- Close attention to using locally manufactured resources resulted in NSF having almost 85% of all their building materials locally.
- During the construction, NSF used Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood.
- Indoor environmental quality was took into consideration during construction by using low-emitting materials such as adhesives and sealants, paints and carpet. While thermal comfort was taken into consideration by placing the system on an overall monitoring system and through having thermostats for every two offices.
- 50% of the power used for the facility is Green Power. For more information on Green power, please visit the EPA's website.
- Green Housekeeping is another way NSF makes a commitment to the environment. In training the housekeeping staff on best practices and using green products, a cleaner environment is achieved.
- Elimination of light pollution from the building and site improves night sky access and reduces development impact on nocturnal environments.
The energy model for the NSF expansion indicates that the design of the building is saving 26% energy costs over a basic building. Overall, NSF's l goal is to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ silver certification for the project.
For more information, please visit U. S. Green Building Council's website.
