CALSTAR update on current projects, industry and green building trends, and tools.
Architecture 2030 Issues New Product Challenge
Non-profit Architecture 2030 issued a new challenge for products on Valentine's Day. It proposes that, starting immediately, products for new buildings, developments, and renovations be specified to meet a maximum carbon-equivalent footprint of 30% below the product category average. Every five years, this embodied carbon-equivalent footprint reduction target shall be increased by 5% until it reaches 50% or better by 2030.
The next 20 years are a critical time for addressing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The product challenge recognizes the large volume of GHG emitted during the manufacture of building materials and their immediate impact on climate change. Also, as building design improves and approaches net zero for operating energy, the carbon footprint of the building materials becomes relatively more significant.
With an 85% reduction in embodied carbon compared to clay and concrete masonry, CalStar bricks and pavers deliver performance far beyond the 2030 Product Challenge goal for 2030 today. We applaud this new focus by Architecture 2030, and look forward to seeing it embraced as broadly as the original challenge has been. Read more
CalStar Earns Greener Product Seal
The Greener Product LLC Certification Seal demonstrates that a product has been evaluated against the LEED®, LEED for Homes® and NAHB green building standards and confirms that the product complies with the standards and may earn credits that contribute to certification under their rating systems. Read more about the Greener Product Certification Seal and what it means to get one, click here.
Spreading the Word
CalStar's VP of Product Management, Julie Rapoport, PhD, PE, LEED AP, was the invited speaker on innovation and new products for the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Brick and Block committee's winter meeting in San Diego. A dynamic question and answer period followed Julie's presentation with many masons expressing excitement to work with CalStar brick in the field.
Mt. Pleasant, WI Specifies CalStar Brick for New South Shore Fire Station
The village of Mt. Pleasant chose CalStar's dark red utility brick for their new fire station which is located less than 10 miles from our plant in Caledonia. CalStar's are the only bricks actually manufactured in the state of Wisconsin.
Environmental Impact: By using CalStar Brick this project avoided 16 tons of CO2 emissions, 31 tons of landfill and saved 198 million BTUs of energy. That is equivalent to taking three cars off the road and saving the energy in 34 barrels of crude oil.
Habitat for Humanity-Jimmy & Roslyn Carter Work Project Builds with CalStar
Habitat for Humanity Washington, DC was chosen by the former President and First Lady for their annual work project commemorating World Habitat Day. CalStar Products bricks and pavers were chosen for these new LEED multifamily homes.
Environmental Impact: The CalStar Brick used in these homes contributed to elimination of over 17 tons of CO2; equivalent to taking 3 cars off the road for a year. Use of CalStar also diverted 38 tons of material from landfill and saved 161 million BTUs of energy, enough to operate the homes for the first 6 months. WATCH VIDEO