Glass in a sustainable lifecycle

Raw Materials

Use of cullet to reduce raw materials and energy consumption

We are working to increase the cullet ratio (broken or scrap glass) in our batch by:

  • Optimizing use of internal cullet
  • Sharing best practices across the fleet
  • Testing and implementing new cullet types
  • Maximizing cullet sourcing

In 2023, the plant in Carleton, MI experimented with making Guardian PrivaGuard™ glass using 70% cullet as percentage of batch weight, and Guardian Clear glass using 100% cullet as percentage of batch weight.

Local sourcing of raw materials

Where feasible, we strive to source the raw materials — mainly sand, soda ash, dolomite, limestone, salt cake and cullet — for our float batch at a regional level.

Over the last year we have partnered with KBX to further optimize our transport routes. For example, at our plant in Richburg, SC, we've transitioned the transportation of approximately 900 short tons of limestone from truck to rail. And at our plant in Carleton, MI, we've installed more rail capacity to allow us to accommodate more rail shipments from suppliers.

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Manufacturing Process

Energy efficiency during manufacturing

We strive to discover technologies that improve the effectiveness of our manufacturing processes. As every initiative counts, we encourage our plants to experiment and lead the way for their sister plants around the world. One recent example:

Guardian Glass Kingsburg implemented an automatic function in the coater process, which ramps down power supply kilowatts and gas flow setpoints during periods of coater inactivity, which helps reduce energy consumption and associated CO2eq emissions. Since implementation, it’s been active for a cumulative time equivalent to over 36 days, translating to over 550,000 kWh — enough to continuously power 1,000
60-watt lightbulbs for a year.

Glass Futures™ — exploring energy efficient technology

As a founding member of Glass Futures, we invested in the Global Centre of Excellence in St Helens, UK, a new research, development and training facility for the float and global glass industry.

Existing projects and areas of key interest to Glass Futures and its members include but are not limited to:

  • Development of alternative fuel technologies
  • Heat recovery, abatement and Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) demonstrations
  • Secondary raw materials for recycling
  • Raw material and cullet processing technology
  • New compositions and treatments

Read more about Glass Futures

Reducing air emissions

Our US manufacturing sites have invested in Emission Control Systems to fulfill compliance requirements, resulting in an approximate 65% reduction of NOx emissions since 2014.

We are continuing to transform our operating model by investing in cutting-edge technologies and systems, including advanced controls and sensors. Benefits of leveraging the data and analytics from these systems, include but are not limited to:

  • Improving product yield and quality
  • Optimizing resource consumption such as energy and raw materials.
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Design Phase

Clear product information

Our products, across European, NA and AMEI regions carry Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), so you can plan your projects with clarity and certainty.

We offer UL Product Lens™ certifications, covering three global product categories - including commercial SunGuard™ and residential ClimaGuard™ coated glass products.

We provide voluntary Safety Data Sheets (SDS) covering four global product categories, including uncoated, sputter (vacuum) coated, laminated, and UltraMirror products. This valuable information supports the safe use and handling of our glass products and provides declarations pertaining to the compliance of our glass products to various global chemical control laws.

Read more about Guardian's Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)

Achieving environmental certifications

Guardian Glass experts can help you with tools, calculations, glazing configuration solutions & help in achieving your required certifications (LEED®, BREEAM®, WELL, etc.).

Our technical teams are here to help you see what's possible.

Environmental design tools

Our suite of glass analytics tools includes performance and energy efficiency calculators.

Updated Environmental Product Declarations

Guardian expects its new Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) to be published in Q1 2024. The new North America uncoated flat glass EPD is expected to have a cradle-to-gate (A1-A3) embodied carbon value of 1.10E+03 kg CO2e / ton (TRACI 2.1 and CML Methods).

  • ~23% lower than NGA’s 2019 EPD value of 1.43E+03 kg CO2e / ton.
  • ~24% lower than Guardian’s 2018 EPD value of 1.45E+03 kg CO2e / ton.

The new value will help customers meet the top 20% limit in the GSA's 'Low Embodied Carbon Material Standard'.

*Pending verification for conformance to ISO 14040/44, ISO 21930, and the Product Category Rule through a program operator and independent reviewer. Numbers are subject to vary due to the critical review process. Global Warming Potential of the A1-A3 stages includes the impacts from the raw materials extraction and processing stage, raw materials transportation to the manufacturing site, and the manufacturing of the product. This term is sometimes referred to as the “product carbon footprint” or “embodied carbon.”

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Construction Phase

Regional manufacturing and efficient logistics

Our presence across regions helps to provide global glass solutions at a localized level.

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Building Life

Reducing operational carbon with glass performance

Our latest product solutions can provide improved solar control, insulation and light transmission to help create living environments that require less air conditioning in hot environments, less heating when cold, and maximize natural light, reducing the need for artificial light.

Find out more

Read more about how glass can contribute to more energy efficient buildings in our ebook

ENERGY STAR® Version 7.0 solutions

Guardian ClimaGuard™ glass is part of our effort to deliver high-performing product solutions in anticipation of the newest codes such as ENERGY STAR v7 and International Energy Conservation Code 2021 that drive energy conservation in residential buildings.

Find out more

See what ClimaGuard glass can help meet ENERGY STAR V7.0 criteria in your climate zone

Bird-friendly solutions

We see growing adoption of bird-friendly glazing requirements due to both regulatory and voluntary initiatives, and we have developed a suite of glass solutions that help deter bird collision. Each option offers a unique aesthetic and can be paired with select Guardian SunGuard™ low-E coatings to help meet thermal performance needs.

Bird1st™ Etch glass - often the preferred option when a visible pattern that is translucent, rather than opaque, is needed.

Bird1st™ UV glass - creates a contrasting pattern that birds can see, but which is much less visible to humans.

Bird-friendly fritted glass - a proven and economical solution that creates a patterned opacity that birds can see more easily.

Read more about birds and bird-friendly glass solutions and take the quiz to test your knowledge!

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End-of-Life

End-of-life glass recycling opportunities

We are constantly developing solutions to increase the amount of external cullet in our float batch, including post-consumer cullet.

Post-consumer cullet is purchased from professional glass recycling companies. Different types are tested and where possible implemented at an industrial scale.

In the process of recycling existing façades, Guardian Glass can:

  • facilitate communication amongst stakeholders at all project stages
  • involve appropriate glaziers / recycling partners
  • recycle processed cullet into new flat glass

Retrofitting & façade recycling

The 1965 structure at 225 Polk in Nashville, Tennessee, stood empty for almost two decades before a revitalization that included Guardian SunGuard™ SuperNeutral™ 68 HT coating on UltraClear™ low-iron glass. SN 68 on UltraClear in oversized lites fit the original first-floor arched frames – cutting-edge at the time – as well as the second-floor windows. The glass helps deliver the energy performance a contemporary office building requires, while keeping the appearance that helped make the building a historic landmark. The project earned LEED® Gold-certification.