Frontier Plant Wins LEED Status

Frontier Natural Products Co-op has been awarded LEED Silver certification for a major renovation at its manufacturing facility.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. LEED certification is established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute.

Frontier achieved LEED certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use, as well as a variety of other sustainable practices. By using less energy and water, LEED certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.

“We’re honored to achieve this level of LEED certification, as it truly represents our ongoing commitment to sustainable operations,” stated Tony Bedard, Frontier CEO, at the facility’s recent dedication. “It also gives our employees and customers a benchmark for what Frontier has accomplished up to this point and identifies opportunities where we can continue to improve in the future.”

Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chairman of the U.S. Green Building Council, added: “The work of innovative building projects such as Frontier’s facility is a fundamental driving force in the green building movement.”

LEED certification of Frontier’s manufacturing facility was based on a number of green design and construction features:

- Frontier completely renovated 7,200 square feet of existing warehouse space with a focus on where energy and mechanical systems could be best optimized, including plumbing, HVAC, lighting and a refinished concrete floor.
- Frontier was able to use minimal resources to establish native landscaping, avoiding the need for a permanent irrigation system. Inside, flush-and-flow fixtures in restrooms cumulatively achieve 35 percent water efficiency compared to conventional fixtures.
- Frontier specified energy-efficient envelope lighting, HVAC (water-source heat pumps and commercial RTUs), carbon dioxide sensors and two on-demand water heaters. Altogether, Frontier’s energy efficiency measures will conserve more than 77,000 kilowatt hours compared to a similar conventional building. That’s equal to 55 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
- With a goal to minimize materials and resources as much as possible, Frontier’s renovation reused 100 percent of the existing building’s skin, roofing and flooring. The renovated interiors promote indoor environmental quality and include low- or no volatile organic compound adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, cabinetry and surfaces.
- Frontier’s renovation of existing employee and visitor parking areas maintained parking capacity while protecting and restoring 63 percent of the site with native and adaptive plant material. In addition to designed bio-swales, detention basins, and an on-site wetland, the engineered slope and grade of the employee parking area removes 100 percent of solids in runoff by capturing and filtering more than 90 percent of average annual rainfall on-site.
- Frontier also created preferred parking spots for 11 low-emissions vehicles and 12 carpools plus added 11 secure bicycle racks with nearby shower and changing facilities. Altogether, the parking program’s goal is to lower greenhouse gases from employee commuting by 135 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

Founded in 1976, Norway, Iowa-based Frontier Natural Products Co-op offers a full line of natural and organic products under the Frontier, Simply Organic, Aura Cacia and Aura Cacia Organics brands.

IN THE PHOTO: Frontier's test kitchen lab.