Sustainability

Our Committment

Respect for the environment isn't the latest corporate initiative at Andersen. For over a century, it's been part of who we are. As an environmentally responsible citizen of the global community, Andersen Corporation is committed to environmental stewardship. We will continuously strive for our facilities, processes and products to meet or exceed all applicable government regulations relating to the environment, and we support these environmental goals:

Minimize pollution at the source.
Conserve natural resources through reduction, reuse and recycling of materials.
Promote energy conservation.
Develop long-lasting products that have a minimal adverse effect on the environment.
Continuously improve our environmental performance.

Learn More About Andersen's Sustainability Initiatives

Environmental Certifications & Partnerships

Learn about the major environmental initiatives we support.

ALLIANCE TO SAVE ENERGY

Andersen is a member of the Alliance to Save Energy, an organization promoting energy efficiency. The alliance is made up of members of Congress and corporate executives committed to promoting energy efficiency.

ENERGY STAR

Andersen was one of the first window companies in the nation to meet ENERGY STAR performance requirements in all geographical regions. We've won several ENERGY STAR awards, including Manufacturer Ally of the Year and the National Window Partner of the Year.

FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL

Sustainable Forestry is defined as the practice of managing forest resources to meet the long-term forest product needs of humans while maintaining the biodiversity of forested landscapes. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) encourages sustainable forestry and recognizes the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards. Wood-based components can be certified in accordance with FSC principals and criteria for wood building components.

Andersen worked with Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) to achieve FSC Chain of Custody certification (COC). By obtaining this COC certification, Andersen is able to manufacture and deliver FSC wood-based products to help achieve LEED Materials & Resource credits, or in other sustainable building programs where applicable.

GREEN SEAL

Andersen was the first window, door and skylight manufacturer with Green Seal certified products. Our products meet Green Seal energy efficiency requirements and are manufactured and packaged in a consistent, environmentally responsible manner.

METAFORE

Andersen supports Metafore, formerly the Certified Forest Products Council, a non-profit organization that collaborates with business and society to create market-based approaches to support forests and communities.

NAHB NATIONAL GREEN BUILDING STANDARD

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) National Green Building Standard is a comprehensive Sustainable Building program for residential projects covering design and process. Each category contains multiple credit point guidelines for a project team to consider during design, construction, and function of the building.

National Green Building Standard (PDF)

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE TRACK

Andersen has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a charter member of the National Environmental Performance Track Initiative, due to our commitments to sound environmental management, continuous improvements, public outreach and community involvement.

PRE-CONSUMER RECYCLED CONTENT

Efficient use of materials reduces overall resource consumption and demands for additional material supply. Recycling materials in construction and recycled content in building components helps reduce the demand for natural resources. Andersen Corporation employs key strategies to leverage recycled content.

The U.S. Green Building Council defines Pre-consumer Recycled Content as: “Material diverted from the waste stream during the manufacturing process“. Excluded in USGBC assessment is “the reutilization of materials such as rework, regrind or scrap generated in a process and capable of being reclaimed within the same process that generated it.”

Per USGBC’s definition, Andersen is able to claim a percentage of Fibrex® material, which uses reclaimed wood fiber, and a percentage of glass as pre-consumer recycled content. Working with Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), Andersen has certified this content to ISO 14021 standards for products in our architectural, 400 Series and 200 Series products. These percentages can be used to help achieve points in portions of LEED Material & Resource credits, or they can be used in other Sustainable building programs where applicable.

View Andersen Certified Recycled Content (PDF)

*Certified recycled content varies by product line.

THE NATIONAL FENESTRATION
RATING COUNCIL

The NFRC is a voluntary third-party certification program designed to ensure accurate window performance rating and labeling.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Providing a healthy indoor environment is an important element of sustainable design. Attaining this goal requires identification and specification of building materials that do not negatively impact indoor air quality.

Working with Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), Andersen's architectural, 400 Series and 200 Series products have received the SCS Indoor Advantage™ Gold certification. This program conforms to the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) – CA Section 01350 specifications. Andersen® windows and doors were tested and certified under this program to support providing improved indoor air quality.

U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL

Andersen is a charter member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Andersen products can assist project teams with commercial and residential building designs to achieve one of USGBC’s Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certification levels.

This information is accurate as of December 15, 2008.