I recently completed a large custom door project where the designer specified many selections from 3form glass company. As I started to research the product further, I found out that they use post consumer recycled products in their glass/ design products, and also exemplify what it means to be a responsible manufacturing and production facility. Not to mention, designers and architects love their designs that are truly unique and you will not see anywhere else.

3form continues to innovate and expand its offerings of aesthetically refined low impact products. Their mission is to design beautiful materials that demand less from the natural world and are kind to people. Never satisfied, they are continually developing ways to further reduce the impact of their products and the way in which they produce them.

They produce materials that: 

• Contain high levels of recycled content (Varia Eco-Resin & 100 percent)
• SCS rapid renewable and sustainability harvested materials
• GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality certified (Varia, Chroma, Alabaster.
  

3form has long demonstrated a progressive stance on minimizing their environmental footprint. As the breadth of sustainable initiatives increased, they sought an individual to coordinate and lead their overall environmental efforts.

Erika joined 3form in the summer of 2007 as the Sustainability Coordinator. She leads 3form in achieving their Path to Zero goals, a set of aggressive and concrete initiatives to minimize the environmental impact of 3form product and processes. Erika also expands and deepens the culture of activism and stewardship among the several hundred 3form employees. She has also led efforts to establish an Environmental Management System, reduce energy use, commit to publicly reporting all greenhouse gas emissions, and spearhead a number of community volunteer and outreach efforts.

Erika is a LEED Accredited Professional and holds an honors degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Brown University, along with a Masters Degree in Environmental Policy and Communication from the University of Utah.

Additionally, 3form does extensive human-factor testing and commits substantial resources to improve and create new products that enhance the quality of human life, including: 

• Flammability / toxicity testing for safe interiors usage
• Insulation Performance for thermally efficient buildings
• Safety Impact testing for safety and security applications
• Air Quality testing for clean air and building quality
• Design with concern for end of life: reusability, recyclability and safety

Exceeding industry expectations, 3form has set distinctly aggressive goals for minimizing the impact of not only their products, but of their processes. Collectively they refer to them as our Path to Zero.

• Waste – We will stop sending manufacturing waste to landfill.
• Energy – We will be carbon neutral by 2017.
• Product – We will continue to increase the recycled content in our products.

3-form products and solutions help you earn LEED* credits in five categories. They are proud to be a member of the USGBC and their materials are ideal for LEED certified commercial buildings. They also provide detailed information on how 3form products and processes can help you achieve LEED certification in your next green project, so check them out!

photo credit: Terren in Virginia

Photo credit: sunshinecity

Take advantage of the tax credit available for purchasing a qualified energy-efficient exterior door or window by  December 31, 2010.  In short, the door must meet a U Factor and SHGC rating of 0.30.  Congress raised the per-item credit to 30 percent of the cost up to $1,500.  They also extended the deadline for making the improvements through the end of 2010.  If you have already purchased a qualified efficient door or window you are not left out.  The act is retroactive to Jan. 1, so if you installed a product meeting the previous criteria it qualifies for the larger credit. 

Seventy percent of the GHG emissions related to single-family envelope energy consumption can be attributed to homes built before California had an energy code (1983).  The statewide carbon impact of retrofitting these homes with upgraded energy features was explored.  Spending $10,000 retrofitting a 1960s home could save 8.5 tons of carbon at a cost of between $588-$1,176 per ton (…)  Increasing the energy efficiency of a new home by 35% would cost about $5,000 and would reduce emissions by 1.1 tons at a cost of $4,545 per ton. Retrofitting existing homes with energy-efficient features is four- to eight times more carbon- and cost-efficient than adding even more energy efficiency requirements to new housing.

 Not all ENERGY STAR rated doors qualify, contact BMC West for assistance.  Visit energystar.gov for credits in solar-energy panels, water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, small wind-energy systems and fuel cells as well.