Indoor Air Quality

We are dedicated to indoor air quality. Over the last several years, much attention has been focused on air pollution. Until recently, few scientists paid much attention to the quality of air within homes and other buildings, even though U.S. government research indicates that people spend approximately 90% of their time indoors.

In many cases, the air within buildings can actually be more polluted than the air outside. Given the amount of time most people spend inside, the potential exists for a health related disaster.

Causes of Indoor Pollutants

Poor indoor air quality can be caused by asbestos, formaldehyde, household cleaning chemicals, lead, nitrogen dioxide, radon, tobacco smoke, breathable particles and biological pollutants like bacteria, mold, mildew and fungus.

Part of the Solution

Our Genesis Panels emit no volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) including formaldehyde, respirable particles, ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and carbon dioxide. See this VOC and Offgassing Report about our products.

Sustainability

As the manufacturer of Genesis Ceiling Tiles, we recognize that preserving natural resources by minimizing adverse environmental impacts is vital, and we are committed to providing all of our customers with high quality, environmentally friendly products. We have a longstanding commitment to conserving natural resources and protecting the health and well being of our customers.

ACP’s Environmental Policy

As a responsible corporate citizen, ACP – the manufacturer of Genesis Ceiling Tiles – is dedicated to protecting human health, natural resources, and the global environment. This commitment extends beyond compliance with the law to encompass integration of sound environmental practices into our business decisions.

Member: United Green Building Council

Manufacturing

Our manufacturing facilities continuously pursue methods to further reduce operating emissions, recycle all waste material, and use the safest raw materials with the least environmental impact.

Personnel

Every employee receives sustainability training pertinent to his/her job responsibility. All plastic, paper, aluminum and wood is recycled in every department.

Products

We will supply products that promote sustainability. This includes supplying products that are low-emitting, contain recycled material, require low-energy to produce, and are easily maintained. All of our products are 100% end-of-life recyclable.

Sustainability Accomplishments

• Building reuse
• Manufacturing Waste Management – 99% of manufacturing waste is recycled
• Recycled content – up to 60% depending on product
• Regional materials
• Some rapidly renewable materials
• Low-emitting adhesives and sealants
• Low-emitting, water-based paints and coatings
• Low-emitting materials
• Low-emitting, water-based inks

Recycling

We are dedicated to environmental sustainability and preservation. Our recycling policies at our factory and the recyclability of our products are just a few ways that we demonstrate that dedication. The benefits of recycling/recyclability are numerous, such as the reprocessing of used materials prevents needless waste from being sent to landfills and reduces the consumption of raw materials.

Why should you care about recycling?

In addition to saving the environment, purchasing a 100% recyclable product has many benefits. Because Genesis ceiling panels are 100% locally recyclable, when you are disposing of old tiles no special landfill or recycling fees are required.

You can also achieve LEED credits by including ceiling tile recycling in your Construction Waste Management Plan. For more information on LEED credits, please see below or refer to the U.S. Green Building Council Website.

LEED Credits

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is an internationally recognized certification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) that measures how well a building or community performs across many environmental metrics. LEED provides building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building solutions.

Genesis Panel’s Potential LEED Credits

Energy and Atmosphere

EA Prerequisite 2: Minimum Energy Performance

Intent

To establish the minimum level of energy efficiency for the proposed building and systems to reduce environmental and economic impacts associated with excessive energy use.

With an average Light Reflectance Rating of 83%, Genesis maintenance-free ceiling panels can help to achieve the Minimum Energy Performance required by the LEED rating system. When properly utilized with efficient and individually controllable lighting, Genesis maintenance-free ceiling panel’s above average Light Reflectance Rating can enhance the efficiency of a building-wide lighting scheme.

EA Credit 1: Optimize Energy Performance

Intent

To achieve increasing levels of energy performance beyond the prerequisite standard to reduce environmental and economic impacts associated with excessive energy use.

With an average Light Reflectance Rating of 83%, Genesis maintenance-free ceiling panels can help to achieve the Minimum Energy Performance required by the LEED rating system. When properly utilized with efficient and individually controllable lighting, Genesis maintenance-free ceiling panel’s above average Light Reflectance Rating can enhance the efficiency of a building-wide lighting scheme.

Possible Points Available in Credit: 1 – 19

Materials and Resources

MR Credit 2: Construction Waste Management

Intent

To divert construction and demolition debris from disposal in landfills and incineration facilities. Redirect recyclable recovered resources back to the manufacturing process and reusable materials to appropriate sites.

Genesis maintenance-free ceiling panels are made of an extremely lightweight plastic, which is shipped in cardboard cartons. Since our tiles pack so economically, up to 160 square feet of Genesis ceiling panels ship in equivalent packaging to 60 square feet of traditional mineral fiber tiles. This makes for significantly less waste at the job site, all of which can be diverted to recycling.

Because Genesis ceiling panels are made entirely out of recyclable vinyl, the waste from trimming the tiles can be diverted from the landfill to recycling. Other ceiling tile recycling programs require special arrangement for pickup from the manufacturer, but our tiles can be recycled at any local recycling center.

Possible Points Available in Credit: 1 – 2

Indoor Environmental Quality

IEQ Prerequisite 1: Minimum Indoor Air Quality Performance

Intent

To establish Minimum Indoor Air Quality Performance to enhance indoor air quality in buildings, thus contributing to the comfort and well-being of the occupants.

Genesis ceiling panels emit no VOCs, airborne dust, or debris. Used in place of more traditional ceiling tiles, which can harbor formaldehyde and produce particulate matter, Genesis ceiling panels can help achieve the Minimum Indoor Air Quality Performance required to earn a LEED certification.

IEQ Credit 3.1: Construction IAQ Management Plan – During Construction

Intent

To reduce indoor air quality problems resulting from construction or renovation and promote the comfort and well-being of construction workers and building occupants.

Genesis ceiling panels emit no VOCs, airborne dust, or debris. During construction, Genesis ceiling panels can be cut without creating any added dust, particles, or airborne contaminants. Our tiles do not need to cure in open air, and therefore will not release contaminants heavily in the first several weeks of use, unlike standard gypsum and mineral fiber ceiling tiles. When using a comprehensive air quality control plan, Genesis ceiling panels can significantly benefit the overall indoor air quality of a building under construction.

Possible Points Available in Credit: 1

IEQ Credit 4.2: Low-Emitting Materials – Paints and Coatings

Intent

To reduce the quantity of indoor air contaminants that are odorous, irritating and/or harmful to the comfort and well-being of installers and occupants.

While Genesis ceiling panels are not directly assumed to be a paint or coating, they are considered a decorative treatment for ceilings. Genesis ceiling panels emit no VOCs, airborne dust, or debris. Used in place of more traditional ceiling tiles, which can harbor formaldehyde and produce particulate matter, Genesis ceiling panels may help a LEED project qualify for points in the Innovation in Design Credit 1.

Possible Points Available in Credit (Innovation in Design Credit 1): 1 – 5

IEQ Credit 8.1: Daylight and Views – Daylight

Intent

To provide building occupants with a connection between indoor spaces and the outdoors through the introduction of daylight and views into the regularly occupied areas of the building.

With an average Light Reflectance Rating of 83%, Genesis ceiling panels can help a building to reach the level of daylight penetration required for the LEED Daylight and Views IEQ credits. When used in conjunction with proper window placement, size, and glare control, Genesis ceiling panels can help to reflect daylight throughout regularly occupied areas to reach the 25 footcandle to 500 footcandle range of daylight illuminance required for IEQ Credit 8.1.

Possible Points Available in Credit: 1

Prop 65

You may see a warning on this product regarding California’s Proposition 65, the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. It is intended to help Californians make informed decisions about protecting themselves from chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. The Proposition requires the state to maintain and update a list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity.

Proposition 65 is designed to inform consumers. This is not the same as a regulatory decision that a product is “safe” or “unsafe.” Our products emit no volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) and are in no way harmful if the product is used for its intended purpose. At ACP, customer satisfaction is our number one priority and we will be happy to provide any additional information, technical specs or data you may need on any of our products.