LEED/Green Statement PDF
Our Unique Approach to "Green"
At BRP by bison™, our product engineering, manufacturing processes, and the materials we purchase are developed with environmentally-friendly yet cost effective strategies in mind. BRP by bison is committed to using high content post-consumer, post-industrial recycled steel and plastics as well as processes that use green, recycled components whenever possible throughout the prototype, fabrication, and finishing stages. BRP by bison is proud to be a manufacturer of premium bicycle security stations to encourage alternative transportation, ash receptacles and ash top options to help define smoking and non-smoking areas, seating options to complement outside recreation activities, and litter and recycling receptacles to assist in controlling and reducing waste. Our entire product line carries a Lifetime Functional Warranty as a testament to our commitment to sustainability and our low maintenance, durable finishes carry a 10-year warranty.
Our Lincoln, Nebraska, manufacturing facilities are in the heart of a century-old industrial area in close proximity to transportation hubs. BRP by bison’s employees believe in good, old-fashioned common sense and a Midwestern work ethic that, in combination, ensures that our customers benefit from frugal, value-driven decision making that helps to reduce waste, control costs, and encourage innovative thinking that often leads to product improvements and new products that solve our customers’ common challenges. “Going Green” may be a 21st century approach, but for our company, it’s the way we’ve always lived and so, for us, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
What Is LEED®?
LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices. To receive LEED v4 (mandatory in June 2015) certification, building projects satisfy prerequisites and earn points from a combination of credit categories. Within each of the credit categories, there are specific prerequisites projects must satisfy and a variety of credits projects can pursue to earn points. The number of points the project earns determines which level (Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum) of LEED certification is awarded. Visit www.usgbc.org/leed for more information.
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Product Compatibility with LEED
Many of BRP by bison’s products have features that can contribute to LEED certification. The credits listed below are based on the LEED v4 guidelines and project checklists set by the U.S. Green Building Council, which can be found online at www.usgbc.org.
Bicycle Facilities • BD+C/ID+C Location & Transportation, ND Smart Location & Linkage
BRP by bison offers a wide variety of short-term and long-term bicycle storage stations that provide a suitable means for securing bicycles. The addition of bike security to a site promotes bicycling and public health. Bicycle networks often include benches and litter and recycling receptacles as well, also available from BRP by bison.
Storage & Collection of Recyclables • BD+C/ID+C Materials & Resources
BRP by bison litter and recycling receptacles in a variety of designs and mounting options can be installed in collection and storage areas to reduce waste hauled to and disposed of in landfills.
Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction • BD+C Materials & Resources
For projects that include site furnishings, BRP by bison’s product line could contribute to a favorable Whole-Building Life-Cycle Assessment due to the long life cycle of the equipment that will not need to be replaced for decades. Many systems and components offer lifetime warranties and require virtually no maintenance. When replacements are made, nearly all BRP by bison products can be recycled into post-consumer steel.
Building Product Disclosure & Optimization-Sourcing of Raw Materials • BD+C/ID+C Materials & Resources
Life cycle information is available on most of BRP by bison’s products. Please inquire about specific products for your project.
Building Product Disclosure & Optimization-Material Ingredients • BD+C/ID+C Materials & Resources
One hundred percent of BRP by bison’s site furnishings are manufactured from steel purchased from domestic (USA) mills and merchant bar and rebar products produced from 100% recycled scrap. Our ductile iron castings are produced utilizing 95% recycled steel and iron scrap. And, our 100% steel products are 100% recyclable!
Purchasing-Ongoing • O+M Materials & Resources
BRP by bison purchases its raw materials with recycled content whenever the design and use allows. Industry-leading warranty coverage ensures a long life cycle for the IPI product line. Therefore, site furnishings from BRP by bison may be used to contribute toward postconsumer recycled content and extended use credits.
Low-Emitting Materials • BD+C/ID+C Indoor Environmental Quality
The majority of BRP by bison equipment is shipped with a powder coated finish, which results in minimal waste and is an environmentally friendly finish process. Powder coated metals are considered inherently nonemitting sources of VOCs.
Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control • O+M Indoor Environmental Quality
BRP by bison ash receptacles and litter receptacles with ash tops can help prevent or minimize exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. In addition, BRP by bison benches, tables, and chairs create an inviting location that can strategically be placed away from indoor smoking-restricted areas and restricted building entrances or in compartmentalized designated smoking areas.
Access to Recreation Facilities • ND Neighborhood Pattern & Design
Sports equipment for both outdoor and indoor recreation facilities is available from BRP by bison. “Sports fields” and “tot lots” are specifically mentioned as appropriate outdoor recreation facility options toward LEED accreditation.
Solid Waste Management • ND Green Infrastructure & Buildings
Site furnishings by BRP by bison can assist in reducing the volume of waste deposited in landfills. Litter and recycling receptacles are available in a variety of styles and can be installed in recycling stations and there are even pole-mounted options available for mixed- use or nonresidential blocks’ recycling strategies.
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Regional Sourcing is Environmentally Responsible and Cost Effective
BRP by bison is centrally located and, therefore, we are able to provide indoor and outdoor sports equipment and site furnishings to a 14-state section of the Midwest to meet LEED’s regional recommendation. A 500-mile radius around our manufacturing facility includes Denver to the West, Chicago to the East, Grand Forks to the North, and the Texas panhandle to the South and includes major metropolitan areas of Minneapolis, Kansas City, and St. Louis as well. Our entire product line is manufactured in Lincoln, Nebraska (68508 zip code).
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Our People and Our Processes Contribute to Environmentally Friendly Manufacturing Practices
BRP by bison site furnishings are constructed from industrial-strength materials reducing the need for future replacements and extending product life, as evidenced by our Lifetime Functional Warranty. Classic and comfortable designs ensure compatibility with ever-changing land uses and fashions.
BRP by bison site furnishings are low maintenance products that require just soap and water to clean in most instances. Our finishes are low-emission to reduce long-term impact on the environment. If a finish is damaged, our 100% welded steel construction products can be sandblasted, a chemical-free process, and simply re-finished.
Our employees continue to expand our facility-wide recycling efforts for steel, aluminum, glass, plastics, corrugated, and paper and our packaging process limits the use of non-recyclable materials and uses recycled skids and crating materials whenever possible. Our product catalog is printed on paper utilizing post-consumer recycled fiber. To reduce energy costs and fuel needs, our production areas have converted to four 10-hour shifts, plus open windows and doors allow fresh air in whenever temperatures allow, and energy-efficient strategies control lighting and equipment use when office and production areas are closed, and many staff members take advantage of our city’s extensive bike and walking trails.
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