Chicago Faucets lunchtime sustainability presentation was organized by Office Manager Sarah Beck who also manages the office’s recycling and sustainability efforts. The topics and speakers included:
Geberit Corporate Sustainability Efforts – John Joyce, Director of Business Excellence
EPA WaterSense – Larry Himmelblau, Sr. Product Compliance Engineer • Codes & Standards
Chicago Faucets Product Sustainability – Greg Hunt, Chicago Faucets Product Manager
Geberit Product Sustainability – Ronn Jefferson, Geberit Product Manager
John spoke about how both at the corporate level and at our plant level the organization is focusing on conservation efforts. Geberit has been awarded EcoVadis’ platinum level award three times in a row. This is a leading award for corporations’ sustainability management. CO2 reduction is paramount; the company has reduced emissions by 56.4% since 2015. Gebert has had substantial decreases on environmental impact all around including maximizing green energy usage through renewable and certified green production.
Larry explained the importance of water conservation due to the effects of climate change as seen at Lake Mead. Consequently, 40 states have instituted water management restrictions due to expected water shortages. Chicago Faucets has been a member of the EPA WaterSense since the program launched. For Chicago Faucets, bathroom faucets, showerheads, toilet tanks, and urinals are listed in the program. This is a combination of minimum flow rate at certain pressures and performance requirements.
Greg discussed how Chicago Faucets offers many low-flow faucets with flow rates from 0.35 GPM to 0.50 GPM that meet LEED requirements. Many Chicago Faucets also meet CALGreen requirements and the company is a charter member of the Alliance for Water Efficiency. Chicago Faucets sold 109,000 WaterSense products in 2022. This includes touchless and manual faucets.
Beyond low-flow faucets and fittings, Chicago Faucets developed one-touch metering faucets with auto shut-off and adjustable run times from 2 to 25 seconds. The Klo-Self™ cartridge shuts off immediately when the handle is released, for maximum water savings. For touchless faucets, the Chicago Faucets Commander™ handheld device lets the installer or building owner set the faucet into metering mode, with run times from 3 to 180 seconds and delay intervals of 5 to 10 seconds between operations.
Chicago Faucets offers several sustainable power options, including a Self Sustaining Power System (SSPS) that uses the flow of water to generate power. A Long-Term Power Supply (LTPS) is maintenance free for up to 15 years and greatly reduces the need for replaceable batteries. The Commander unit for touchless faucets has a smart power saving setting that reduces scan frequency to save battery life. See Water Conservation Solutions for Commercial Applications | Chicago Faucets.
Ron explained how Geberit develops products by looking at the products for their entire lifecycle and definitely incorporates the three Ps: People, Planet, and Profit. Geberit manufactures with eco-design principles for durability, using high-quality materials and offering a long lifespan. Everything from the raw materials to how they are extracted to selecting the right suppliers and partners, including green logistics, is a consideration. As a sanitary product manufacturer, Geberit is focused on making products that are smart, responsible, recyclable, and if possible, water conserving. Many products have an environmental product declaration including a detailed lifecycle analysis. In the United States, the in-wall carrier system with dual-flush tank, when matched with the right toilet, also meets WaterSense and significantly reduces water consumption. They are ideal for both new construction and remodels.
For more info on Earth Day 2023 visit: Earth Day 2023 - Earth Day
