NSF/ANSI 140 Gold certification required by GSA for carpet
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), which serves as the purchasing arm of the U.S. government, now requires Gold Level certification to the NSF/ANSI 140 Sustainability Assessment for Carpet for all broadloom and carpet tile purchased through the GSA. Current GSA carpet suppliers have until Jan. 1, 2012, to certify their products to NSF/ANSI 140 Gold Level in order for their carpets to be considered for purchase through the GSA.

The move is part of GSA’s overall Sustainable Acquisition Goals, which mandate that 95 percent of all purchases made through the agency must meet sustainability requirements by the end of the year.

“GSA recognition of NSF’s American National Standard for Sustainable Carpet in their purchasing specifications reflects positively on all the stakeholders who came together, from regulatory, industry and consumer organizations, to develop NSF/ANSI 140,” said Jane Wilson, director of standards for NSF International.


U.S. Dept. of Education launches Green Ribbon Schools program
The U.S. Department of Education has created the Green Ribbon Schools program, to recognize schools that have taken great strides in greening their curricula, buildings, school grounds and overall building operations. The Green Ribbon School awards will be given to schools that best exemplify America’s transition to a sustainable economy, from graduating “environmentally literate” students to effectively managing their carbon footprint.

The Green Ribbon program was conceived and coordinated by the Campaign for Environmental Literacy (CEL), Earth Day Network, the National Wildlife Federation and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

“No other building type speaks more profoundly to the benefits of green building than the places where our children learn. Green schools reduce energy consumption, save money and foster healthier learning environments for our children,” said Rick Fedrizzi, USGBC president, ceo and founding chair. “The Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools program is a landmark in progress toward green schools for everyone within this generation, which is the vision for USGBC’s Center for Green Schools.”


Green Building Association honors local central PA projects
The Green Building Association of Central Pennsylvania recently recognized several area environmentally friendly buildings. Five businesses were honored for their professional contributions throughout Harrisburg/York.

Award recipients were: El Associates, Harrisburg, for the Arthur W. Ferguson Elementary School in York (Sustainable Sites, Innovation in Design, and Overall Award for a Project under $5 Million categories); KD3 Design Studio Inc., Lemoyne, for a renovation of DCHA Gratz Park Terrace Apartments in Gratz (Energy & Atmosphere category); Office for Planning and Architecture, Harrisburg, for the Union County Energy Efficient Housing Program duplex in Lewisburg (Overall Award for a Project over $5 Million category); RLPS Architects, Lancaster, for additions and renovations to Pennswood Village, Barclay House in Newtown, Pa. (Indoor Environmental Quality category); and SMP Architects Inc., Philadelphia, for The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle State Park in Howard (Water Efficiency and Materials & Resources categories).

For more information, visit www.gbacpa.org.


CARE honors L.A. Fiber, Interface’s Nelson
The Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) recently recognized two leaders from the post-consumer carpet recycling segment at the organization’s ninth annual conference in Amelia Island, Fla. Los Angeles Fiber was recognized as Recycler of the Year. Eric Nelson, vp Interface Americas, was named CARE Person of the Year.

Los Angeles Fiber accepts post-consumer carpet and recycles it into synthetic carpet cushion through its sister company, Reliance Carpet Cushion. Recovered carpet that does not go into Reliance products is used in carpet fibers and backing, and engineered resins for automotive parts.

Nelson was honored for his leadership as a carpet recycling advocate and member of the CARE board of directors.