ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED
Powder Coating LEED Credits
Green. Ecofriendly. Environmentally responsible. Sustainable.
These buzz words once conjured abstract images of blue skies and pristine waterways. Climate change has brought the health of our planet to the forefront. As a result, businesses are able to make smart decisions that benefit both themselves and the Earth, including sustainable options for design and manufacturing. A membership-based non-profit known as the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) serves as the premier institution for the promotion of eco-friendly design and building in the United States. Their significant contribution to the industry is the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system.
LEED provides third-party verification that a building or even an entire community was created and constructed with strategies that save energy, conserve water, cut carbon emissions, or improve air quality. The LEED program applies to all building types as well as all parts of the cycle from inception to maintenance. It uses a point systems to score green building design and construction and awards credits that lead to different levels of LEED certification. The more points awarded, the more are credits earned, resulting in certification levels of Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
Eco-friendly solutions that qualify for LEED credits can be found in many manufacturing processes. Reduction of Volatile Organic Coatings (VOC) is an important and achievable goal. Powder coating, a preferred alternative to liquid painting, results in a surface that is virtually resistant to chips, scratches or fade. Powder coating emits close to zero VOCs, produces less hazardous waste, and can be recycled if overspray occurs. It is for these reasons and others that the Environmental Protection Agency distinguishes powder coating as a viable eco-friendly option for coating. How does this fit into LEED certification, though?
It is important to note that individual items or processes do not earn LEED certification. A combination of environmentally friendly items and processes combined earn LEED certification of a project or building. Once the decision has been made to seek LEED accreditation, it takes a great deal of research and resources to come to fruition. One of these resources is the use of eco-friendly powder coating. This responsible choice earns points toward LEED credits and eventual LEED certification.
Your business can feel good about utilizing sustainable powder coating. LEED credits are only part of the reasons why you should choose powder coating for your parts. Microfinish provides superior St. Louis metal finishing services that are good for the environment and your business. Call us today at (314) 849-8181 about your finish project!
