Sustainability

CertainTeed is dedicated to our purpose of making the world a better home. As part of Saint-Gobain, the worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, we are leading the conversation and driving bold progress toward a more sustainable built environment.

Constructing a Sustainable Future

The construction sector plays a significant role in our world, utilizing 50% of our natural resources and contributing to 37% of CO2 emissions. This industry stands at the crossroads of several pressing challenges, such as the dwindling availability of resources, climate change, the energy crisis, rapid urbanization, and population growth.

We know that a more sustainable future necessitates a novel approach to manufacturing and construction, and we’re at the forefront of driving transformative change. However, this endeavor demands commitment across the entire value chain. True transformation can only be achieved by keeping a comprehensive perspective on the environmental impact of buildings throughout their entire lifecycle—from inception to deconstruction—and by implementing known solutions or innovating new ones. The importance of this mission is crystal clear: all in our industry must communicate, create, and accelerate science-based efforts to push boundaries and redefine success.

Working With Integrity

Decarbonizing Construction

Shifting the paradigm toward homes, offices, schools and hotels that emit less carbon throughout their lifecycle, from materials and industrial processes through use and demolition.

Building Resiliency

Designing innovative materials and driving smarter construction that withstands weather extremes and extends the life of our buildings.

Circularity is the Solution

Reimagining the design and construction to better manage our resources through circular business practices: waste collection, repurposing materials, and recycling.

Transparency and Performance

Dedicated to healthy environments that take care of people, we are leading in the breadth of our portfolio with HPDs and EPDs.

Taking Action to Achieve Net-Zero by 2050

Managing climate change means decarbonizing our built environment. The goal is simple: by 2050 we must not emit more carbon that we absorb. We must be carbon neutral. As part of Saint-Gobain, we are measuring the carbon impact of our activities, and taking action to build better while emitting less carbon, including redesigned formulations, modernized processes, lighter products, and optimized logistics.

Scope 1

Greenhouse gas emissions generated directly by our owned and controlled assets, including manufacturing operations and vehicles.

Scope 2

Indirect emissions generated during the production of energy that we purchase, which will be reduced through increasing use of renewable energy generated by sun and wind.

Scope 3

All indirect emissions – not already included in scope 2 – that occur in our value chain, both upstream and downstream.

Learn More About Saint-Gobain Sustainability Commitments

Saint-Gobain has set ambitious targets for reducing carbon dioxide emissions at company locations across North America. The company is also working to influence our network to decarbonize with us.

Visit Saint-Gobain

The entrance to Saint-Gobain Tower in Paris, France

Our 2030 Sustainability Goals

We are on the path to achieving our near-term sustainability goals by regularly and diligently reassessing and improving the design, production, and distribution of our products. Our goals set in 2017, fall into four pillars, each with ambitious milestones that collectively move toward reduction of our ecological footprint.

We integrate eco-innovation principles to drive further progress toward zero non-recovered waste, and evolve our products to integrate recycled or renewable materials, extend lifespans, and facilitate eventual recycling or reuse. These actions all are underpinned by a commitment toward ethical business practices for our employees, partners, and the communities within which we live and work, and bring us closer to a perpetual circular economy.

Our Objectives for 2030 Compared to 2017:

Planning for a better tomorrow doesn’t begin today. For us, it began years ago when we defined measurable, actionable goals and a definitive timeline for success.

Water

50% Reduction in water withdrawal
Zero water discharge in areas with extremely high water risk

CO₂

33% Reduction: Scope 1 (direct) & Scope 2 (indirect) emissions
16% Reduction: Scope 3 emissions

Circular Economy

80% Reduction of non-recovered production residue
+30% virgin raw materials avoided
100% recyclable packaging with 30% recycled or biosourced

Product Stewardship

100% LCAs for all of Group product ranges and systems

CertainTeed Products are Leading the Way to a More Sustainable Future

With the broadest portfolio of sustainable products in North America, CertainTeed brings innovative materials and solutions to the table in nearly all applications. As a go-to partner for designing holistic projects that meet sustainable goals, we take pride in pushing further and faster for responsible stewardship of our planet.

(Re)Imagining Roofing

Learn how we are building a better shingle to shelf our homes and safeguard the planet

Illustrated house on a hill with solar panels and wind turbines in the background.

99% Recyclable Vinyl Siding

It’s durable, it’s attractive, it’s low-maintenance. And it’s nearly infinitely recyclable, making it a sustainable choice for exterior cladding.

A close up of Vytec Board and Batten in Rustic Clay on a home exterior.

Solar Roofing: A Bright Future

Solar panels and shingles are sleek, durable, and help harness the natural power of the sun for clean energy.

Solstice shingle installed on a rancher style home in Fremont, California

Near Zero-Carbon Drywall Manufacturing

Reduced emissions and energy usage make our Montreal wallboard facility the first zero-carbon drywall plant in North America.

Offsite Construction

Easier for builders, better for the planet: quick-to-construct buildings minimize waste and maximize recycled and reused materials.

Commercial Roof Solutions: Restore vs Tear Off

Why remove a roof when you can restore it? Our commercial roofing solutions are a responsible choice, helping to extend the life of existing construction.

Energy Efficient Insulation

InsulPure™ fiberglass insulation is composed of high recycled and renewable content, is UL validated formaldehyde-free, and meets the GREENGUARD Gold standard for VOC emissions.

Sustainability Events

Take the opportunity to learn first-hand about issues facing our industry. We’re all part of the solution!

EVENT

COP 29

November 2024

Baku Stadium

Baku, Azerbaijan

EVENT

GreenBuild 2024

November 12-15, 2024

Philadelphia Convention Center

Philadelphia, PA

Partners

Progress happens when we collaborate with leaders and like-minded associates in and around our industry.

US Green Building Council

LEED certification to help transform the built environment.

Mindful Materials

A collaborative community committed to solving common challenges.

HPDC

Explore over 40,000 products with HPDs.

Ecomedes

Connecting the commercial construction and design community to sustainability documentation

Solar Energy International

Authoritative training for the solar workforce.

Asphaltica

An ambitious new recycling technology.

Circular Philadelphia

Bringing together individuals, businesses, manufacturers, institutions, local government, and policy makers to lead the shift to a circular economy.

Green Building United

The leading green building and sustainability nonprofit education provider in the Philadelphia region.

Contact our ESG Sustainability Experts

CertainTeed is committed to transparency and sustainability. We welcome your questions about our sustainable practices, products, and solutions. Please fill out the form below, and our experts will get in touch with you.