Crystal Windows Earns Industry Sustainable Recognition

National manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems recently earned another industry recognition for its sustainable production operations.  Leading national fenestration publication US Glass Magazine named Crystal Windows a 2022 Green Award winner for Production Efficiencies in the November 2022 issue.  Crystal was one of only five companies this year (and one of only two based in the USA) whose products or production processes were recognized for extraordinary efforts to provide a more healthy, sustainable living environment.  Earlier this year, Crystal’s New York facility received an environmental award from national Door & Window Market (DWM) Magazine.

“Crystal has long fostered a corporate culture to reduce, reuse, and recycle everywhere throughout all our factories,” said Andy Shashlo, COO.  “Each of Crystal’s sustainable actions by itself may be small, but when added together, the impact on our operations is impressive.  It is very rewarding to have our efforts recognized with this industry award from US Glass Magazine.”

Crystal uses domestic suppliers for nearly all its product materials and components, it recycles all production scrap in various ways, and it optimizes logistics to coordinate between facilities, customers, project locations, and even supplier warehouses to reduce transportation.  Besides seeking to ensure production processes are as environmentally friendly and efficient as possible, Crystal made a significant step this year with a one-MW solar electricity generation system installed at its New York headquarters and main production facility.  The system will offset almost 35% of the company’s overall electricity needs at this location.  Crystal also receives hydropower for another 25% of its electricity needs under a separate arrangement.

Each year, US Glass Magazine selects Green Award winners based on strategies and commitment to environmental and operational performance, as well as high-performance architectural products.  For 2022, along with Crystal Windows, US Glass Magazine recognized two international glass manufacturers, AGC Glass Europe (at its facility in Belgium) and Saint-Gobain (at its facilities in France, Spain, and Germany), for low-carbon glass production, and Dow for carbon-neutral silicone products.  South America-based glass and window fabricator Tecnoglass was recognized for its green production processes.