Custom® Building Products takes its longstanding Build Green® program to the next level with its new Emerald System™ of products. All Emerald System products comply with the standards of all five emerging green building agencies. Emerald System products have recycled material content and low VOC (volatile organic compound) content. These products are manufactured to reduce their energy footprint and comply with all major green building initiatives, including ANSI (American National Standards Institute), CALGreen (California Green Building Standards Code) and USGBC (United States Green Building Council). Emerald products are also eligible for Custom’s System Warranties, including its Lifetime Warranty.

In addition to simplifying compliance standards, the Emerald System also offers an industry first -- Carbon Offset Credits. During the manufacturing of Portland cement, which is used in many construction products -- including tile installation products -- carbon dioxide (CO2) is released into the atmosphere. These emissions are believed to be a major contributor to increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

When a project using Emerald System Products is registered for a warranty, Custom Building Products will purchase Carbon Credits to offset the amount of CO2 created from the cement used in its products. Custom has partnered with TerraPass®, a leading social enterprise, to obtain the carbon offset credits that Custom will then issue to the project owner. TerraPass then uses the funds to support projects that reduce CO2 emissions.

“Custom Building Products is continually searching for ways to minimize our environmental impact. With the introduction of the Emerald System, we are taking action today to make green compliance easier and move forward on reducing CO2 emissions,” said Steve Taylor, Director of Technical Marketing for Custom Building Products.

Custom has also developed a new Web site dedicated to delivering current Emerald System information: customemeraldsystem.com.