Sustainability Initiatives

Sustainability at Andersen Corporation begins with our raw materials and the ecological systems they come from.

• Over 70% of wood purchased by Andersen is from certified sources, such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). Buying certified wood ensures that forests are managed responsibly, maintaining the ecological system of the forest.
• We work with Metafore (formerly the Certified Forest Products Council), a non-profit organization that helps business purchase environmentally preferable wood and paper products.
• 98% of all manufacturing materials are used in a beneficial way, keeping our use of materials efficient and our overall waste low.
• Our Fibrex^® material is made with reclaimed wood from our manufacturing processes, reducing the demand for wood resources.

Andersen takes great care to manufacture products in a responsible manner.

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Today, 98% of all manufacturing materials are beneficially used at Andersen.

Regular environmental audits of Andersen manufacturing facilities verify that operating units comply with the company's environmental procedures and government regulations. These audits show consistently high environmental performance and continuous improvement of operations.

• The EPA's Project XL has enabled Andersen to earn an XL Permit for its unique environmental performance—the only XL project in Minnesota and the 13th nationally. Learn More About Project XL
• The Andersen Environmental Management System (EMS) conforms to ISO 14001, an international standard that helps manufacturers minimize negative effects on the environment.
• Commissioned in 2007, the Steam Generating Facility at the Andersen plant uses wood byproducts from manufacturing, a renewable resource as the plant's energy source.
• Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) reportable emissions have been reduced by 96% since 1990.
• Landfilled solid waste at Andersen's Bayport, Minnesota facilities has been reduced by 83% since 1990.

Even after they're installed, Andersen products continue contributing to our sustainability initiatives. Our windows and patio doors meet the strict guidelines of ENERGY STAR and other programs in reducing heat transfer in and out of your home. This means your house will be more efficient, and require less energy to heat or cool.

• Andersen is a U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) charter member. The USGBC's LEED rating system is a widely accepted standard of environmental performance for buildings.
• Andersen is the first and only window company to be Green Seal^® certified. Green Seal is an independent non-profit group that labels environmentally responsible products.
• Andersen was one of the first window companies to meet ENERGY STAR^® performance requirements in all geographic regions with standard products, winning the first ENERGY STAR Manufacturer Ally and Window Partner of the Year awards. ENERGY STAR products meet the rigorous efficiency requirements of the EPA and U.S. Department of Energy.
• Andersen products are engineered to require less maintenance and last longer—reducing the need for replacement.
• Andersen Perma-Shield^® exteriors create a tough, protective shell that never needs painting. The increased durability of Perma-Shield windows and patio doors reduce maintenance and replacement.
• Energy-efficient Andersen products are tested and labeled by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) in its rigorous, third-party certification and energy rating program. To ensure best performance, Andersen products are tested in temperature extremes from -20?F to 180? and wind speeds up to 155 mph to simulate coastal environments, deserts and high altitudes.

At Andersen, we take the mission of promoting environmental awareness seriously.

• Andersen Corporation is a sponsor of the Science Museum of Minnesota's new Science House along the banks of the Mississippi River. An environmental experiment center, Science House features a photovoltaic roofing system as well as energy-efficient building materials including windows, doors and experimental Fibrex decking materials donated by Andersen. Generating more energy than the building uses, this unique space serves as a classroom, public laboratory, exhibit area and special event space.
• Andersen has continued its support of the Children's Museum by funding a variety of educational programs that strengthen the messages of the Earth World Gallery.

2007:

Andersen receives the Minnesota Environmental Initiative Award for outstanding partnerships between business, government and environmental groups. Andersen is recognized for Green Business & Environmental Management for the new Steam Generating Facility.

2007:

Andersen commissions a new Steam Generating Facility at the Bayport, MN plant that uses wood byproducts from manufacturing as the plant's energy source.

2006:

Andersen is awarded the XL Permit from the Environmental Protection Agency for its innovative ways of achieving the best performance and flexibility as a manufacturer, and for the company's increased involvement in the local Bayport, MN community. Andersen is the first company in Minnesota to receive the XL Permit and the 13th in the country.

2005:

Andersen hosts the first of what will become an annual environmental summit for associates from throughout the enterprise to share best practices and recognize leadership in environmental facilities management.

2001:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) accepts Andersen Corporation into the agency's National Environmental Performance Track Program as a charter member. The program recognizes companies that exhibit superior environmental accomplishments and commitments to future environmental improvements. Andersen's project commitments for the Performance Track program include:

• Reducing volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions
• Reducing waste/byproduct volumes
• A wood sourcing initiative
• Restoration of property to native habitat

2000:

Andersen joins the Certified Forest Products Council (CFPC), an independent not for profit, voluntary business initiative committed to promoting responsible forest products buying practices throughout North America.

1999:

Andersen becomes the first window and patio door company to win the EPA's award as outstanding ENERGY STAR Homes Manufacturer Ally.

1997:

Andersen also earns the Stars of Energy of Efficiency Award presented by the Alliance to Save Energy.

1997:

Andersen Corporation earns national honors as the first window and patio door manufacturer in the country to earn the seal of approval from Green Seal^®, the national environmental labeling organization by exceeding standards for product efficiency and air leak rates.

1991:

Development of Fibrex^® material: a revolutionary composite made of wood fiber reclaimed from Andersen manufacturing. Among its features are resistance to rotting, excellent insulation and low thermal expansion rate in extreme temperatures.

1990s:

Pollution Prevention Program results in significant reduction of waste and pollution. A sawdust collection system reclaims 99% of sawdust, which either helps heat the factory or becomes raw material for Fibrex material. Recycling programs reduce landfill solid waste by 96%. Volatile airborne emissions are reduced by more than 50% and Andersen achieves 100% conversion from solvent-based contact adhesives to structural hot-melt and water-borne adhesives. Well water consumption is reduced by more than 50%.

1983:

Andersen introduces Low-E High-Performance™ Glass that slows heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer.

1977:

Andersen Corporation's Research and Product Development Center creates innovative solutions to save energy, eliminate waste in the manufacturing process and develop safe and accessible products.

1966:

The low-maintenance Perma-Shield^® Cladding System makes windows more durable and longer-lasting.

1952:

Andersen begins fitting its windows with a first-of-its-kind new Welded Insulating Glass to provide protection against condensation and frost.

1939:

"Good windows pay for themselves in heat saved, in comfort and convenience. Only the rich can afford poor windows." -- F.C. Andersen

1930s:

When there are no window orders during the Depression, Fred C. Andersen has his workers plant elm and ash seedlings.

1934:

Introduction of a new Andersen basement window—more weathertight, less heat loss, and no rust or corrosion compared to the common steel basement window.

1920s:

A special cyclone system separates sawdust and wood shavings. The shavings are burned at the plant for energy, and anything left unused is sold as a by-product: for door factories as cores for veneered doors, for match factories, and for fuel.

1904:

Hans Andersen manufactures standard-sized window frame units. This solves the problem of ill-fitting window frames that wouldn't keep air or moisture out.