Sustainability Programs & Resources
To provide architects with the assurance and documentation they need to meet and verify their sustainability goals, Vitro Architectural Glass participates in a range of programs and initiatives. To learn more about our programs or to download applicable documentation, please review the information below.
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)
In 2017, Vitro became the first North American manufacturer to publish third-party verified EPDs for flat glass and processed glass products. These documents provide detailed data about the life-cycle impacts of Vitro glass products on the environment. EPDs may be used as credentialing for LEED® and other green building certification programs and are now necessary to demonstrate compliance with embodied carbon limits in places like California, which recently amended its CALGreen Building Standards Code to place limits on embodied carbon emissions in commercial and school buildings.
In 2024, the General Services Administration (GSA) announced new standards for products that can be considered low embodied carbon (LEC). As part of achieving these standards, products must offer a Type III EPD with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) in kilograms of carbon equivalent per metric ton (kgCO2 eq/ton) of glass.
Vitro recently announced it has updated Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for flat and processed glass that indicate its architectural glass products contain just 1,240 kilograms of CO2 equivalent, which is 13% lower than the National Glass Association’s industry standard and an improvement on Vitro’s figures reported in our 2023 EPDs.
Based on these results, all Vitro Architectural Glass products meet the Top 20% LEC material category. This lowest embodied carbon designation applies to all Vitro-produced architectural glass from all Vitro plants all the time.
For more information on utilizing our EPDs to earn LEED® credits, visit the Materials & Resources section of our LEED® guide.
Low Embodied Carbon Standards
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) set standards for low embodied carbon (LEC) products. These standards require that products must offer a Type III EPD and an ENERGY STAR Score as well as contain “Acceptable” embodied carbon content that is less than 1,401 kilograms of CO2 equivalent (kg CO2e). Based on Vitro’s latest certified Flat Glass EPD which reported an embodied carbon content of 1,240 kg CO2e, all Vitro Architectural Glass products meet the GSA’s Top 20% lowest embodied carbon category.
Additionally, Vitro’s EPDs are not product-specific, meaning that the information included applies to all Vitro’s North American-made flat and processed glass products manufactured at any Vitro glass plant and is not limited to one specific product type or location, unlike some manufacturers.
For more information on utilizing our EPDs to earn LEED® credits, visit the Materials & Resources section of our LEED® guide.
Cradle to Cradle Certified® (C2C) Products
In 2008, Vitro Architectural Glass became the first U.S. glass manufacturer to have its entire collection of architectural glass products recognized by the Cradle to Cradle Certified® Products Program.
Today, Vitro Glass’s product selection is Cradle to Cradle® Bronze certified; subcategory certification levels, valid through April 23, 2024, are below.
| Category | Certification |
|---|---|
| Material Health | Gold |
| Material Reutilization | Gold |
| Renewable Energy and Carbon Management | Bronze |
| Water Stewardship | Bronze |
| Social Fairness | Silver |
Material Health Certificate
The Material Health Certificate uses the material health assessment methodology of the Cradle to Cradle Certified® Product Standard.
LEED Recycled Content Letter
Vitro Architectural Glass recycled content reporting documentation.
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Vitro Architectural Glass is committed to product stewardship, occupational safety and health, and spill-handling procedures.
Living Building Challenge (LBC) Red List of Materials
Vitro Architectural Glass products, version 4.0 compliance letter.
Buy Clean California Act (BCCA) Compliance Letter
This document addresses common questions concerning the Buy Clean California Act (BCCA) and provides documentation of Vitro Architectural Glass's compliance with the BCCA.
