Page 34 - Green Builder July-August 2017 Issue

Also in the Green

Here are a few other firms that are expanding their

commitment to sustainability —and product lines.

BY ALAN NADITZ AND BARBARA HORWITZ-BENNETT

Who says the ultra-big guys are
the only ones that can be considered
Eco-Leaders? Lots of other companies,

public and private, are giving it a go.
Here are a few of them.

Ply Gem
Recycled content, net-zero waste management and employee
suggestions are this company’s hidden treasures.
Sporting a Home Innovation National Green Building Standard
Green Certified mark on nearly all of its products, Ply Gem—North
America’s largest maker of vinyl siding, and vinyl and aluminum CREDIT: ERIC HAUSMAN
windows—includes at least 76 percent recycled content in those
products, per the certification. Its aluminum gutter and downspout Inside surprise. In its apartments, AMLI Residential stresses
products contain at least 85 percent recycled content. And, 95 percent common green traits, such as LED lighting and Energy Star
or more of all scrap materials in 40 manufacturing plants throughout appliances. But more distinctive efforts such as non-smoking
community status and LEED certification also catch on with renters.
the U.S. and Canada are recycled.
Similarly, nearly all Ply Gem products are Energy Star certified.
But the company’s efforts go beyond how its products are manu-
factured. It empowers its associates to discover ways to minimize the
company’s environmental footprint in its manufacturing facilities
through “energy treasure hunts.” Teams of employees have success-
fully implemented more than 30 projects contributing to overall
energy reduction. These best practices are being shared across the
organization and with the company’s supplier partners to impact
the full supply chain, officials note.
AMLI Residential

‘Living green’ is the mantra of AMLI residents—and the company
is happy to oblige.
With many renters using green amenities as a deciding factor toward
where to live, Chicago-based multi-family real estate firm AMLI Resi-
dential stresses the sustainable assets among its 63-plus properties
CREDIT: PLY GEM and 21,000-plus apartment homes. Green traits include each com-
plex’s energy-efficient windows and LED lighting, EPA WaterSense

More than meets the eye. Nearly all of Ply Gem’s siding products plumbing features, HVAC filtration systems, Energy Star appliances,
community recycling programs, and, in many cases, its LEED certi-
are Home Innovation National Green Building Standard Green
Certified and are mostly made of recycled materials. fication. Close to half of AMLI’s properties are LEED certified and
32 GREEN BUILDER July/August 2017 www.greenbuildermedia.com

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