P&G Commits to LEED for Factory in China and All New Facilities

While breaking ground for a plant in China, consumer packaged goods giantProcter & Gamblepledged today to pursueLEEDcertification for all new factories, distribution facilities, offices, innovation centers and other sites.

The manufacturing facility in Taicang, China, is the company's first project to be registered under the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards.

"Having all of our new sites LEED certified will help us make progress toward our long-term sustainability vision, which includes powering our plants with 100 percent renewable energy and zero manufacturing waste to landfill," said Keith Harrison, P&G global product supply officer, in a statement.

The Taicang facility is designed to:

• Minimize water consumption while maximizing water re-use by recovering steam condensate for domestic water needs and harvesting rainwater to replenish on-site landscaping water.
• 减少能源消耗。For example, its outdoor lighting combines use of solar energy and high efficiency-equipment to reduce reliance on the power grid,
• Reduce waste. The facility is expected to send zero waste to landfill as a result of an operational design that maximize recycling.
• Globally, all new company sites that are in the design phase or the early stages of construction are working to attain LEED certification, according to P&G. In addition to LEED, P&G also intends to meet local certification standards in countries with equivalent green buildings programs.

The green building commitment is the latest step the company has taken toward its new four-prongedsustainability vision. P&Gannounced last fallthat it will work to:

• Power its plants with 100 percent renewable energy
• Use 100 percent renewable or recycled materials for all products and packaging
• Send zero consumer and manufacturing waste go to landfills
• Designing products "that delight consumers while maximizing the conservation of resources."

Image courtesy of Procter & Gamble, China