The First Facility Management Blog

AlliedBarton Security Services has introduced virtual training for security officer personnel. The company’s 3-D virtual training is aimed at accelerating learning in simulated environments with virtual world technology.

“Avatar-based virtual world training allows officers to ‘walk’ and ‘interact’ inside a simulated 3D client site and engage in ‘what if’ scenarios,” said Richard Cordivari, AlliedBarton’s National Training Director. “Whether used for distance or classroom learning, the benefits of our expanding training programs are flexibility in terms of delivery method, the ability to be interactive, comprehensive content, and customizations to meet our client’s needs. Our officers appreciate the convenience of on-demand training delivered to the workplace anywhere they are via a variety of methods, including the Internet.”

In addition to AlliedBarton’s new virtual training, another new training initiative is KnowledgeKnuggets™, short instructive audio MP3 files officers can access on the go that provide the next generation of technology tools to empower AlliedBarton’s mobile security work force. These audio training segments feature a variety of safety topic areas and are designed to refresh previously learned information and encourage officers to take full advantage of all the learning opportunities that AlliedBarton makes available.

“We place primary importance on providing our security officers with the most up-to-date and comprehensive training in the physical security sector,” said Bill Whitmore, President and CEO, AlliedBarton Security Services. “By delivering world-class virtual and classroom training programs, we are able to ensure our security officers are well-versed in a wide variety of tactical and strategic information across the diverse industries we protect.”

“We recognize the importance of providing our training programs in a variety of formats. Our virtual training and audio files add another layer of flexibility and accessibility to our already comprehensive program,” adds Cordivari. “Our first virtual training module, vehicle search for the chemical/petrochemical industry, is a topic that benefits from three dimensional instruction and represents an exciting training development for the security industry.”

AlliedBarton’s virtual and classroom training curriculum is continually updated and enhanced to accommodate the variety of industries the company services including Chemical and Petrochemical, Higher Education, Commercial Real Estate, Financial Institutions, Government Services, Healthcare, Manufacturing and Industrial, Residential Communities and Shopping Centers.

The Holland, MI-based furniture manufacturer was given the People’s Choice Award in the first Lifecycle Building Challenge, a national competition launched to develop green building strategies and designs that reduce waste and conserve resources. Haworth’s entry, “Sustainability by Design,” focused on the deconstruction and adaptive reuse of materials related to the renovation of the company’s corporate headquarters in Holland, MI (rendering seen here).

“Haworth is honored to receive the People’s Choice Award, and we heartily support the objectives set by the EPA Lifecycle Building Challenge,” said Mitch Boucher, project manager for the corporate renovation project. “We’re making every effort to expand and enhance our headquarters in an environmentally responsible manner, and if our efforts inspire those of others, all the better.”

As seen in top photo, Boucher accepted the People’s Choice Award on Haworth’s behalf at a ceremony held September 20. Photo (from left to right): AIA President, RK Stewart; Assistant EPA Administrator, Susan Bodine; Mitch Boucher from Haworth; Blue Egg West Coast Bureau Chief, Cheryl Dahl; and President of the Building Materials Reuse Association, Brad Grey.

Initiated this year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the American Institute of Architects, the Building Materials Reuse Association, and West Coast Green, the Lifecycle Building Challenge invited the nation’s architects, designers, reuse experts, and other building professionals and students to present sustainable building plans that spotlight adaptation, disassembly, and reuse. All entries were divided into professional and student categories for built and unbuilt projects and posted online for review and voting.

Specific to Haworth’s project, more than 99% of construction waste generated by the headquarters renovation was recycled, down-cycled, and otherwise diverted from landfill during the initial deconstruction phase. The effort, which included everything from donating furniture and carpeting to Holland area schools to removing and reusing door locksets, resulted in the recovery of the vast majority of the 3,500 yards of waste generated during phase one.

Scheduled for completion in 2008, Haworth’s headquarters renovation project is registered with the U.S. Green Building Council for LEED-NC (New Construction) Gold certification. The building’s new façade will feature a sun-filled atrium and green roof. The interior spaces will function as a living laboratory of innovative workspace solutions featuring Haworth products including access flooring, moveable walls, and modular and freestanding furniture.

Emerson Network Power has released results from a recent industry survey that provides insight into the actions some data center operators have taken to increase the efficiency of their facilities and identifies the challenges organizations face in driving additional improvements.

The survey was conducted by the Data Center Users’ Group(DCUG), a group of influential data center, IT, and facility managers formed by Emerson Network Power. It was completed in coordination with the U.S. EPA and Lawrence Berkeley National Labs to support the EPA’s recently released “Report to Congress on Server and Data Center Energy Efficiency.” More than 150 DCUG member companies and non-member Fortune 500 companies participated in the survey, which covered a variety of data center topics including power management, precision cooling, energy efficiency, technology implementation, and consolidation.

According to the survey, the majority of respondents have made operational improvements to increase energy efficiency. Seventy-seven percent have their data center arranged in a hot aisle/cold aisle configuration to increase cooling system efficiency, 65% use blanking panels to minimize recirculation of hot air and 56% have sealed the floor to prevent cooling losses. The survey also shows the growing popularity of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to identify hotspots and optimize airflow within the facility, with 25% of respondents having already conducted a CFD analysis of their facilities.

“We have been promoting the value of best practices to optimize the efficiency of existing systems for the last several years, so it is gratifying to see these tactics being widely adopted in the market,” said Bob Bauer, Emerson group vice president and Liebert Worldwide president. “They are among the first – and easiest – steps in optimizing data center efficiency. Now, we as an industry have to address the challenges of taking efficiency initiatives even further.”

According to the survey, challenges that data center professionals face as they try to reduce energy use include “lack of management priority” (40%), “not clearly understanding the cost/benefit relationship” (36%), “not wanting to risk reliability” (35%) and “lack of communication between IT and facilities” (33%).

Other survey results show that, on average, 60% of the data center electrical load is used to power IT equipment, with approximately 56% of that being used to power servers, 27% for storage, and 19% for network equipment. In addition, 41% of survey respondents said their data center electrical usage is not metered separately from the rest of their facilities. Forty-one percent of respondents also noted that they did not have a dedicated facility for their data center.

Additional results include the following:

• Eighty-one percent believe that by 2012 they will need additional data center capacity, despite the fact that 64% have built or upgraded their data center in the last five years.

• More than a quarter (27%) of respondents believe that despite consolidation and the use of virtualization, their server inventory will increase throughout the next five years.

• The average power density per rack is approximately 6.5 kW, while the maximum power density in any one rack averages approximately 12.9 kW.

Founded in 2003, the DCUG contains approximately 1,000 members; the group meets semi-annually to collaboratively discuss the most relevant issues affecting the reliability, availability and cost of operation for mission-critical installations. The group’s membership comprises executives with a wide variety of IT and facilities management expertise from an assortment of companies, including board member companies Capital One, Cincinnati Bell Technology Solutions, JPMorgan Chase and Meijer, among others.

Johnson Controls, Inc. today announced its search for Tomorrow’s Energy Ambassadors, Managers and Scholars (TEAMS). It kicks off a competition that calls for select college seniors and graduate students to collaboratively draft an open letter to the field of 2008 presidential candidates – urging them to better clarify their positions on important matters related to energy and sustainability. The winning team will be presented with a $10,000 scholarship fund check for its school and have its letter published in a full-page ad in a national publication. TEAMS students placing first, second, and third will also be eligible for cash awards totaling $5,000.

“This is a great opportunity for the future chief executive of the United States to hear from future business and academic leaders who will be directly impacted by policy decisions made on energy and sustainability in this country and around the world,” said C. David Myers, president of the Johnson Controls Building Efficiency business. “We welcome the ingenuity and insight that these students will bring to bear on this discussion.”

The competition for TEAMS is open to students designated by four-year and graduate institutions that are members of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). Hundreds of well-respected institutions are members, including: American University, Boston University, Columbia University, Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Princeton, Stanford, and Yale. While each school may submit only one entry, interdisciplinary collaboration with up to four student members is encouraged in order to craft a more insightful letter.

Letters submitted for the TEAMS search will be judged by an independent panel of energy professionals and energy industry trade journalists. All entries will have a strict word limit ranging between 800 - 900 words and will be evaluated on the following 50 point scoring system:

• Ability to clearly and concisely address presidential candidates within the prescribed word limits. 10 Points
• Awareness of energy issues and environmental stewardship. 15 Points
• A logical presentation of arguments and facts. 10 Points
• Creativity and originality of the letter’s call to action. 15 points

Johnson Controls will present the first place winning team’s college or university with a $10,000 check for its scholarship fund. In addition to having its letter published, the first place winning team will receive a $2,500 grant from Johnson Controls. They will also be invited, as guests of Johnson Controls, to attend the 2008 Energy Efficiency Forum in Washington DC. Second and third place teams will be awarded grants in the amounts or $1,500 and $1,000, respectively.

The TEAMS competition officially opens for entries on September 20, 2007, and has an e mail entry deadline of October 26, 2007 for receiving all submissions. No entries will be considered after that date. The winners will be announced approximately one year from election day on Tuesday, November 6, 2007.

Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI) is the global leader that brings ingenuity to the places where people live, work and travel. By integrating technologies, products and services, we create smart environments that redefine the relationships between people and their surroundings. Our team of 140,000 employees creates a more comfortable, safe and sustainable world through our products and services for more than 200 million vehicles, 12 million homes and one million commercial buildings.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation has released its sixth annual Corporate Equality Index, showing an unprecedented 195 major U.S. businesses earned the top rating of 100%, up from 138 last year–a 41 percent increase.

The Index rates employers on a scale from 0 to 100% on their treatment of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) employees, consumers and investors. The 195 businesses that met all of the criteria employ more than 8.3 million workers. When the Index was first released in 2002 only 13 companies, employing 690,000 workers, received the top rating.

“More businesses than ever before have recognized the value of a diverse and dedicated workforce,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “More importantly, these employers understand that discrimination against GLBT workers will ultimately hurt their ability to compete in the global marketplace.”

Furniture company, Herman Miller, was among those companies given a 100% rating. “This recognition is a testament to our commitment to inclusiveness,” said Brian Walker, Herman Miller’s president and CEO. “In the accelerating competition for talent, inclusiveness is a strategic business imperative for us. We believe that our ability to innovate depends on our ability to attract the best people to Herman Miller, so we strive to ensure that our company is a place where everyone’s gifts are welcomed.”

Michael Ramirez, Herman Miller’s director of Inclusiveness and Diversity, said the 100% rating represents “another step in an ongoing journey to make certain that Herman Miller is a place where we bring the whole person to work and where we respect the talents of all.”

This was the first year Herman Miller was rated in the Corporate Equality Index.

More About This Year’s Index
The Corporate Equality Index, which this year rates 519 businesses, measures the extent to which employers protect their GLBT employees. Ratings are based on factors like non-discrimination policies, diversity training and benefits for domestic partners and transgender employees. Among the findings of this year’s report.

• The banking and financial services industry has 32 companies with 100%, more than any other industry. While there are 30 law firms with the top rating, up from 12 last year.
• Three sectors saw their first company achieve a top rating.
• In mail and freight delivery, United Parcel Service (UPS) achieved 100%.
• In the transportation and travel services industry, Travelport known for its travel sites such as Orbitz.com is the first to receive a perfect score.
• Harrah’s Entertainment Inc. (HET) is the first gaming industry company to achieve 100%.
• For the first time, a majority of rated firms (58%) provide employment protections on the basis of gender identity.
• Among the 57 companies that have newly achieved a perfect score of 100% are: Allstate Insurance Co., Electronic Arts Inc., Esurance Inc., J.C. Penney Co. Inc., KeyCorp, Macy’s Inc., Marriott International Inc., Mastercard Inc., Waste Management Inc., and Yahoo! Inc.

The report can be downloaded from HRC’s website at www.hrc.org/cei.

As this week marks the 20th anniversary of the creation of the Montreal Protocol, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) celebrates the efforts of the heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) industries that have played a role in reducing ozone depletion.

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of a number of substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion.

“ASHRAE has played a substantial role in stopping further ozone depletion by helping the industry to transition away from ozone-depleting refrigerants,” Kent Peterson, ASHRAE president, said. “The Montreal Protocol has shown that when we do what is right for mankind, our initial burden can turn to benefit. Not only has the Montreal Protocol improved the ozone layer, but it also initiated vast technological improvements in air conditioning equipment.”

ASHRAE has continuously developed ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 15-2004, Safety Standard for Refrigeration Systems, and ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 34-2007, Designation and Safety Classification of Refrigerants as new refrigerants that are better for the ozone have been developed. In particular, ASHRAE has traced the development of HCFCs to replace CFCs, and then HFCs to replace HCFCs as technology improved. Now, there is a movement to use “natural” refrigerants such as carbon dioxide, ammonia, and hydrocarbons such as propane and butane.

ASHRAE-funded research projects have also contributed to the successes of the Montreal Protocol. Research has included projects concerning ozone destruction, properties of refrigerants, and evaluation of CFC-alternative refrigerants.

Since the Montreal Protocol, ASHRAE has written and updated its Position Document on Ozone-Depleting Substances, and the Society is currently writing a position document on natural refrigerants.

Since the energy crisis of the 1970s in particular, ASHRAE has been a leader in energy efficiency. Work has included collaborations with the Clinton Climate Initiative, publications such as the Advanced Energy Design Guide series and the ASHRAE GreenGuide, and making ASHRAE’s flagship energy standard that is adopted into building codes, ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, increasingly more energy efficient.

ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is an international organization of some 50,000 persons. ASHRAE fulfills its mission of advancing heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education.

ASHRAE’s position paper on Ozone-Depleting Substances can be found here.

Signage posted at security points throughout facilities is often used to clarify what is required of those passing through. Fms at the Ohio State University Airport didn’t think they needed to specify directions for animal crossings; perhaps, they needed to think again. Earlier this week, animal expert and director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo, Jack Hanna (pictured far right), became trapped in a security turnstile at the airport while trying to exit the tarmac with Marty, an 11-month-old flamingo. Fortunately, both Hanna and Marty escaped unharmed.

As one might expect for a person with a long career working with animals, Hanna has brought furry and feathered friends into unexpected places in the past. In the 1970s and 1980s, such events included Hanna bringing a camel to the Ohio Statehouse and a lion and cheetah in cages to a local burial. On a commercial flight to Columbus in the late 1980s, he hid six chameleons, a boa constrictor, a 3½-foot legless lizard and several hissing cockroaches in the pockets of his raincoat.

On the flamingo incident, CNN reported:

Animal expert Jack Hanna and an 11-month-old flamingo became trapped while trying to squeeze through an airport security turnstile. It took firefighters to finally get the flamingo out.

Hanna, the director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and a frequent guest on nationally televised talk shows, was returning from a zoo fundraiser with a mongoose, a small leopard and the flamingo. Three other people were with them.

The entourage arrived at the Ohio State University Airport just after midnight Sunday to find the terminal closed. The only way to leave the tarmac was through a 10-foot-tall metal turnstile with several horizontal bars — not the easiest exit to squeeze through when you’re traveling with boxed-up animals, Hanna said.

“I never thought about the crate being square and the turnstile being round,” he said.

Hanna, 60, pushed the flamingo’s 2-foot-by-3-foot compartment into the turnstile, then continued pushing while straddling the crate.

“I was stuck like a worm. My eyes were as big as grapefruits,” he said. “I can’t describe the feeling in my stomach. I can’t move up or down. The bars are on your face.”

Read the rest of the story….

Surely, other facility managers have had to contend with unusual things coming into their buildings. What’s the strangest thing someone has tried to bring into yours?

Today’s Bonus Friday Funny comes from New Scientist (with personal annotations provided by yours truly). I know at least one person who fits into each category (most of them are co-workers, but my family members–myself included–could be eligible too). How many of these people and/or syndromes have you experienced in your workplace?

Blog Streaking: Revealing secrets of a personal nature online, which for everybody’s sake would best be kept private.
Crackberry: Unable to stop checking your Blackberry even if it is your Mum’s funeral. (This is an old one; one of my co-workers had to switch PDA devices in order to break her habit, but the Pavlovian syndrome leaves its imprint, and I see her twitch whenever she hears someone else’s Blackberry alert sound.)
Cyberchondria: A headache and a particular rash at the same time. Extensive research on the Internet convinces you it’s terminal. (I gave myself carpal tunnel syndrome as a side ailment to this phenomenon and now mouse left handed, despite being a right handed person.)
Egosurfing: When “just checking” gets out of control. (If you have Google’d your own name, you are suffering from this sickness.)
Infornography: Acquiring and sharing information is an addiction.
YouTube narcissism: Not even your closest friend wants to see your holiday videos. (or your child’s birthday party videos, stupid pet trick, etc….)
Google stalking: Snooping online on old friends, colleagues, or first dates. (Fortunately, poor spelling and bad memory can shorten the distraction time–and enjoyment factor–of this ailment.)
MySpace impersonation: Many of us pretend to be somebody we are not when online, but some pretend to be a famous personality.
Powerpointlessness: One too many flashy slides. ( Conceptually, I love this one, although I hate sitting through a presentation by a sufferer of this malady.)
Photolurking: Flicking through a photo album belonging to someone you have never met. (We like to call it “research” here at FacilityBlog.)
Wikipediholism: Excessive devotion to an online collaborative encyclopedia. Check for the last Wiki condition in Wiki. (True confession: I personally suffer from this BIG TIME, and so does my husband. We actually watch DVDs with a laptop nearby so we can double check dubious content or jog our memories over tenuous connections. We’re such fun people.)

The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) offers 19 tips for businesses to use following a disaster. ASSE notes that although there is no one-size-fits-all program, these tips may help. First, businesses should do a hazard evaluation and assessment performed by a safety professional. Please note the following tips suggested to be done following a catastrophe such as a hurricane:

* Structural Security: Have the structural integrity of the building or facility validated by qualified professionals before anyone enters the facility.

* Safe Entry: Contact the proper government agencies to get approval to resume occupancy of the building. Do not enter a facility or building unless the proper clearances have been attained.

* Clean-Up Safety: Implement your clean-up and business resumption processes in a safe and healthful manner. You will accomplish nothing if your employees are injured or killed during the post-disaster phase-in period. Provide training in proper selection and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for your employees and yourself such as eyewear, gloves, and dust masks/respirators for cleaning, and where appropriate in other operations.

* Air Quality Assessment: Make sure the atmosphere in the workplace environment is tested for asbestos and other chemical/toxic agents. Air quality is an issue businesses may wish to pay careful attention to when restarting business operations.

* Ventilation: Have vents checked to assure that water heaters and gas furnaces are clear and operable. Dust and debris can stop or impede airflow decreasing its quality and healthfulness. Safely start-up heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, which includes prior inspection of lines before energizing and pressurizing of the systems. Test your systems now after inspection or have a qualified specialist do so. Blow cold air through HVAC systems first, as opposed to warm air, as it will help prevent the growth of mold in duct systems.

* Interior, Exterior Exposures: For interior spaces, ensure no wall or ceiling materials are in danger of falling. If such exposures do exist, the work environment is not ready for occupancy. Check for cracked windows and outside building materials, as these could fall onto pedestrians at any time–now and in the future.

* Protection Equipment: For fire and smoke alarms it is important to assure that these have been cleaned and tested before allowing occupancy of the building. If such systems are wired into other systems ensure that they are still compatible and work in an efficient and effective manner. Thorough inspection of firefighting systems such as sprinkler and chemical equipment functions is a must-do item.

* Electrical Safety: Have checks made of electrical systems, computer cables, and telecommunications’ equipment to ensure that they are still safe and there is no danger of exposure to electricity. Wiring inspections should be conducted from the outside in to ensure all wiring and connections are not in danger of shorting out due to water damage from rain or fire-fighting efforts.

* Use Existing Federal Guidelines: Utilize existing start-up guidance materials provided by government agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

* Health/Sanitation Issues: The general facility sanitation systems with the facility should be inspected and tested to guard against potential employee exposure to toxic agents. Food sanitation should also be an issue. Any unused foodstuffs should be discarded. If the workspace has a kitchen, inspect oven hoods and other ventilation devices to ensure they are not clogged and are working efficiently.

* Office Furniture: Inspect the furniture to ensure it can withstand expected loads and usages. Ensure that binder bins (storage devices screwed or bolted to railing systems on walls and panels) have not become unstable due to water damage or shaking due to explosions. Inspect office equipment to ensure it is level, stable, and cannot tip over.

* Lighting: Make sure there are adequate illumination levels for employees. Emergency lighting should be checked to ensure it operates and functions in the correct manner.

* Emergency Planning: Ensure that there is a clear path of egress for the emergency evacuation of employees, that the fire extinguishers are still operable and that checks for damage and serviceability are made to see if any fire extinguishers’ facilities were used during the disaster. If damage is found, they should be replaced immediately.

* Solid/Hazardous Waste Removal: Broken glass, debris, or other materials with cutting edges should be safely gathered and disposed of immediately. Ensure that such materials can be disposed of before collection to avoid creating even bigger hazards for both employees and the public. Solid waste disposal will be an issue, especially if hazardous waste is involved. Evaluate waste disposal issues prior to beginning clean-up operations to ensure it can be properly disposed of. (ASSE’s free ‘Hazardous Materials Safety Information Guide’ has key info on this and is available by contacting customerservice@asse.org.)

* Power Checks: If there is no access to electricity on the site, do not use fueled generators or heaters indoors. Ensure that there are no gas and sewer leaks in your facility. You will need to check with your local utilities for information regarding power, gas, water, and sewer usage.

* Check Mainframes: If your facility has mainframe computer applications, see that lines and cabling for chiller systems are checked to avoid chemical leak out.

* Emergency Procedures: Create a new emergency plan and distribute it to employees as soon as they return to work. In case of emergency, designate a place for employees to gather once out of the building or a phone number they should call following the emergency so that all can be accounted for. Frequently update the emergency contact list of names and phone numbers.

* Machine Inspections: Inspect the condition of drain, fill, plumbing, and hydraulic lines on processes and machines. It would be prudent to have plumbing lines evaluated and tested in order to detect any hazardous gases.

* Surfaces: Make sure flooring surfaces are acceptable and free from possible slips, trips, and falls–the second leading cause of on the job deaths in the U.S. ANSI standard A1264, protection of floor and wall openings is a good starting point.

About ASSE Founded in 1911, the Des Plaines, IL-based ASSE is the oldest and largest professional safety society and is committed to protecting people, property and the environment. Globally, its more than 30,000 members manage, supervise and consult on safety, health and environmental issues in all industries, government, education, labor and insurance.

Partnership Establishes Global Platform for Cradle to CradleSM Materials and Design

Material ConneXion, Inc., McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry, LLC (MBDC) and the Environmental Protection Encouragement Agency (EPEA) announced a groundbreaking strategic collaboration to create a global platform for developing innovative sustainable materials and products. Together, they will provide services that will help companies expand their ability to innovate and create higher-quality, more sustainable products and processes, while increasing their profitability.

“Material ConneXion’s unparalleled material expertise, commitment to sustainability, and global reach make them the perfect partner for this collaboration,” said MBDC co-founder William McDonough.

The relationship will help to promote and disseminate Cradle to Cradle design principles by providing greater global access to Cradle to Cradle material information, certification and product development. As of January 2008, Material ConneXion’s libraries in New York, Milan, Cologne and Bangkok will feature Cradle to Cradle Assessed and Certified materials, and, in collaboration with MBDC and EPEA, Material ConneXion will offer Cradle to Cradle Certification, and Cradle to Cradle product development.

“We are thrilled to partner with such visionaries as William McDonough and Michael Braungart,” said Material ConneXion Founder and President George Beylerian, ”This truly will be an industry-changing collaboration and signals an important step forward for Cradle to Cradle design.”

Given today’s demands for more socially and environmentally conscious products and materials, it is important for companies to positively define their global impact and be leaders in environmental performance. Material ConneXion, MBDC and EPEA, each leading experts in their respective fields, offer specific knowledge in sustainable material solutions and practices, objective design recommendations, and a breadth of worldwide experience across multiple industries that can be instrumental in helping companies achieve their product goals.

“Cradle to Cradle’s promise of ‘total beauty’ begins with the right material solutions and there is no better place to find them than Material ConneXion,” said EPEA and MBDC co-founder Michael Braungart.

By pushing for better product design, smart production processes, and a greater use, re-use, and recycling of defined, ecologically intelligent materials, companies can incorporate environmentally conscious planning into their own frameworks.

To facilitate this, Material ConneXion, MBDC and EPEA will jointly offer the following services:

Workshops: Workshops will provide an understanding of Material Intelligence, Sustainability and Cradle to Cradle design principles. Workshops can be tailored to assist design teams—from large corporations to smaller forward thinking companies—in defining these concepts as they pertain to their own industry and work.

Materials Assessment, Process Evaluation and Certification:

Material assessment will provide material manufacturers within the Material ConneXion library with material assessments and the tools to achieve Cradle to Cradle Certification. Certification benchmarks the size of the environmental footprint of a product against an internationally recognized standard that will provide companies with a new marketing and selling tool as well as help them chart and realize continuous improvement over time. .

Material/Product Development Project:

This service assists companies in developing ecologically intelligent, sustainable products or materials. By leveraging the combined expertise in the field of sustainable materials and Cradle to Cradle process of the three partners, innovative sustainable products can be developed that could be a source of new and increased revenue for clients.

About Material ConneXion

Material ConneXion is the leading global platform for material innovation and solutions. The company was founded in 1997 by George M. Beylerian on the belief that Every Idea Has A Material Solution. Since then, Material ConneXion has become the trusted material advisor to Fortune 500 corporations, smaller forward-thinking companies and government agencies seeking a competitive edge through strategic material selections. With offices in New York, Milan, Cologne and Bangkok, Material ConneXion’s international network of material specialists provide a global, cross-industry perspective on materials and their potential uses.

Material ConneXion offers four indispensable assets to architects, designers, and manufacturers. The Advanced Materials Solution Team advises in the development of materials and products by providing crucial material intelligence gained through extensive research. Subscription-based Material Libraries on three continents maintain over 4,000 materials reviewed by an independent jury on a monthly basis. Material ConneXion LABS—temporary library exhibition installations—and Innovation Alerts—keep companies, universities and non-profits on the cutting-edge. New materials create innovative design solutions, provide more sustainable options, and accelerate the design development process. Dynamic material dialogue is essential to this process, and so Material ConneXion is committed to its creation through active Public Programming, including exhibitions, an annual conference on materials and design, and MATTER magazine, published quaterly. This December, Material ConneXIon will publish its second book, Ultra Materials: How Materials Innovation is Changing the World.

About MBDC (McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry, LLC.)

MBDC was founded in 1995 by internationally recognized architect/designer William McDonough together with Prof. Michael Braungart, as a strategic environmental consulting and design firm, dedicated to revolutionizing the design of products and services worldwide using Cradle to Cradle design. The pair teamed up to promote and shape what they refer to as “The Next Industrial Revolution” through the introduction of a new design paradigm called Cradle to Cradle design and the implementation of eco-effective design principles. McDonough and Braungart are co-authors of the book Cradle to Cradle – Remaking the Way We Make Things, published in 2002 by NorthPoint Press.

MBDC developed and offers the Cradle to Cradle Product Certification System that verifies manufactures’ achievements using a series of environmental and social criteria. These criteria are based on the principles of Cradle to Cradle design, developed by McDonough and Braungart. Cradle to Cradle is a service mark of MBDC.

About EPEA (Environmental Protection Encouragement Agency)

EPEA was founded in 1987 by world renowned chemist Prof. Michael Braungart as an independent scientific research institute based in Hamburg that develops Cradle to Cradle product solutions. EPEA’s interdisciplinary team aligns products to Cradle to Cradle design goals with tools that have been developed for this purpose. Cradle to Cradle design makes products possible that are economically successful, healthy for users and supportive for the environment and future generations. Their innovative design not only addresses appearance and functionality, but it also addresses the definition of their composition and enables a new dimension of quality and security of these products along with their material flow cycle. By integrating economic, social and environmental aspects, they are superior to currently produced and available products.

EPEA’s driving goal is to not only reach positive effects for end users by aiding in the development of healthy products, but also for the environment in general by way of safe products for consumption and products of service, where technical nutrients are recovered and processed, based on EPEA’s Intelligent Product System (IPS). This also applies to a next generation because the resources that are mobilized for Cradle to Cradle products are maintained as such and effectively used. EPEA is a licensee of the Cradle to Cradle Product Certification System developed by MBDC.