Green evolution of Pella® Windows & Doors grows since 1925
Pella’s focus on environmental stewardship began in 1925 — the year the company was founded. The company’s steadfast commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability lives on today. For example, the company has made numerous energy-saving improvements in its facilities, and wood, glass and screen cloth leftover from Pella manufacturing processes are recycled into materials like pet bedding, reflective coating for highways and even archery targets. And, as a dedicated environmental steward, Pella strives to purchase certified lumber from responsibly harvested forests.
Key highlights in Pella’s green journey follow.
Recent recognition:
Recent recognition:
- 2011 ENERGY STAR® Sustained Excellence Award for managing energy use and promoting ENERGY STAR products and practices and ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year 2011 award for ongoing commitment to manufacturing energy-efficient products and educating consumers about them
- 2010 ENERGY STAR® Sustained Excellence Award for continued leadership in protecting the environment through energy efficiency
- 2009 ENERGY STAR® Sustained Excellence Award for manufacturing energy-efficient products and educating consumers about them
- 2008 & 2007 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year – window category
- 2008 member, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SmartWay Transport Partnership program
- 2007 Iowa Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award
Action:
1925 – Began recycling steel and aluminum in the company’s first year in business
1978 – Introduced Pella Van Pool Program. Today, over 150 employees participate in van pools.
1983 – Began recycling glass, sawdust, paper, cardboard and some plastics
1989 – Replaced fluorescent lamps in manufacturing areas with energy- saving lamp alternatives
Early 1990s – Began recycling numerous plastics
1993 – Implemented policy to purchase high-efficiency motors for new or replacement applications for machines in manufacturing areas
1995 – Established standard for use of occupancy sensors in low occupancy areas to help save energy
2000 – Began recycling electronics
2000 – Reinforced commitment to utilizing third-party certified wood
2005 – Initiated an annual community-wide electronics recycling (e-cycling) event in Pella, Iowa honoring Earth Day to safely recycle obsolete electronics like cellular phones, video cassette recorders, keyboards, printers, scanners, monitors, televisions, and computers. Since 2005, more than 2,963 households have responsibly recycled more than 9,431 electronic items with a combined weight of 274,912 pounds of electronic waste diverted from the local landfill. 2006 – Began recycling insulating glass
2007 – Formed internal Energy Team to address energy conservation opportunities
2007 – Implemented 700,000 square feet of lighting improvements in manufacturing facilities and reduced energy consumption by 1,900,000 kilowatt hours per year ─ enough to power 160 average homes for an entire year.
2008 – Launched an annual community-wide electronics recycling (e-cycling) event in Shenandoah, Iowa honoring Earth Day. In its debut, more than 345 households responsibly recycled more 880 electronic items with a combined weight of 29,071 pounds of electronic waste diverted from the local landfill.
2009 – April 25 - first annual community-wide electronics recycling (e-cycling) event in Sioux Center, Iowa, honoring Earth Day.
2010 – April 17 - first e-cycling event in Macomb, Ill., honoring the 40th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22.
2011 – April 16 & 30 - e-cycling events in Pella, Carroll, Oskaloosa, Shenandoah and Sioux Center, Iowa; and Macomb, Ill., honoring Earth Day on April 22.
Related industry affiliations:
- Pella is a member of the Efficient Windows Collaborative and a founding member of the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), a non-profit organization providing accurate information to measure and compare energy performance of windows, doors and skylights
- American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA)
- The American Institute of Architects (AIA)
- Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance (IGMA)
- National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
- National Association of Remodelers (NARI)
- U. S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
- Voluntary ENERGY STAR partner
- Window and Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA)