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NSF Receives Silver LEED Certification

August 4, 2008

NSF International has received the Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification for its recent laboratory expansion, according to a recent press release.

The LEED Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally-accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings.

In the expansion of its Michigan-based corporate headquarters and laboratories in Ann Arbor, NSF demonstrated that the design of its new building is saving 26 percent of energy costs when compared to traditional buildings.

"Our goal when we started our laboratory expansion was to create and sustain an environmentally-friendly site that reflects our organization's mission – to improve and protect public health and the environment," said Kevan P. Lawlor, president and chief executive officer. "Consistent with this goal to build a high-performance, green facility, we employed advanced water recycling and treatment methods, energy-efficient systems, low-emitting materials, and minimized the changes to our natural landscape during construction."

NSF's sustainable efforts include:

Up to 50 percent of the drinking water treatment systems lab's test water is now recycled and reused.

Using wind, solar, and hydro-electric sources for 50 percent of the energy sources used to power the facility.

Using 12 percent post-consumer recycled material in the building, including recycled carpeting.

Using compact florescent lighting, throughout the building.

Water-efficient landscaping reduces landscaping water needs by 50 percent. This includes planting native drought-tolerant grasses and plants.

Using locally-manufactured resources and obtaining almost 85 percent of all building materials locally.

Providing 21 acres of open space, 217 percent more than the minimum code requirements.