June 28, 2006—Plantronics, Inc., recently announced that its new manufacturing and design center in Suzhou, China, has earned the United States Green Building Council’s (USGBC), Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold certification for environmental sustainability. Plantronics Suzhou is reportedly the only manufacturing facility in China to achieve LEED certification.
Plantronics partnered with Bechtel on the construction of the new Suzhou facility. Together, the companies say, they developed innovative building and landscape designs aimed towards energy conservation, environmental sustainability, and employee wellness. Plantronics Suzhou environmental benefits include:
- Increased Energy Efficiency: All buildings feature insulated roof systems, natural light, energy-rated roof coating, and insulated block walls. The main office building is designed with a slight angle to take advantage of sunlight, without causing over-consumption of energy for heating during the winter and cooling during the summer.
- Reduced Water Consumption: Plantronics Suzhou uses rainwater collection ponds, storm water irrigation, recycled condensation water from air conditioning units, and an innovative reverse-osmosis system to make city water drinkable.
- Reduced Air Pollution: The Suzhou manufacturing complex promotes alternative transportation by providing covered ports with battery chargers for electric scooters, coordinated bus transportation, and bike air pumps and storage. Plantronics estimates that more than 90 percent of employees will use alternative transportation.
- Indoor Air Quality: Non-toxic interior finishes, a fume extraction system, and natural lighting are used throughout the Suzhou facility to ensure a quality work environment.
For more information on the facility, visit Plantronics.
