by Shane Henson — May 14, 2012—Building owners searching for sustainability built tiles and tile installation materials can now look for products that bear the Green Squared Certified mark. Green Squared is North America’s first sustainable product program written exclusively for tiles and tile installation materials and involves the sustainable product standard ANSI A138.1 and third-party certification to that standard.
Products covered by Green Squared include ceramic and glass tiles, grouts, mortars, trowelable membranes, polymer additives, backer boards, underlayments, and crack isolation and waterproof membranes.
To be in conformance with Green Squared, a product must meet all mandatory requirements and a specified number (depending on product type) of elective requirements, providing a total package that reflects the full range of environmental considerations.
According to the Tile Council of North America, cumulatively, eight major manufacturers of tile and installation materials—including Crossville, Ironrock, and Porcelanite Lamosa—have hundreds of products that are already certified, with yet even more of their products still in the evaluation process and expected to earn certification this year.
“This early adoption, within just a few months of the passage of the Green Squared ANSI standard, is a clear indication of the commitment North American manufacturers have made to sustainable manufacturing and sustainable products, in many cases starting years ago when conversations began regarding an industry standard for sustainability,” said Eric Astrachan, executive director of the Tile Council of North America.
