Atlanta, Ga. – Newell Rubbermaid celebrated a sustainable construction milestone, when its new corporate headquarters became the first building in the state of Georgia and the Southeastern U.S. to be recognized for achievements in sustainable design and construction which were identified using the Green Globes environmental assessment and rating system for commercial buildings.

Sonny Perdue, Governor of Georgia, was among dignitaries attending a special dedication ceremony at the building.  During the ceremony, Erin Shaffer, vice president of federal outreach for the GBI, presented leaders from Newell Rubbermaid with a plaque recognizing the building’s achievement of two Green Globes.

The 14-story, 350,000 square foot curvilinear glass building was recognized for, among other things:

• Site design and enhancement measures which minimized the building's impact;
• Conservation of treated water and minimization of the need for off-site treatment of water; and
• Avoiding or minimizing air emissions, ozone-depleting substances, effluents, pesticides and hazardous materials.

Key environmental features of the building include the incorporation of energy-efficient equipment such as lighting controls in less frequently used spaces, HVAC equipment and building automation systems; providing energy-efficient transportation options such as public transportation and carpooling; water-efficient equipment such as low flush toilets; and the use of building materials with recycled content to minimize the consumption of resources.

The building, which currently houses 550 Newell Rubbermaid employees, also features a state-of-the-art fitness center, employee store, product showroom, cafeteria and a history wall which documents the company’s history of more than 100 years.

“Newell Rubbermaid’s new corporate headquarters is a perfect example of how green building has become appropriate and attainable for all types of structures," said Shaffer. "By combining the innovation of environmental design with functionality, the building not only is environmentally sound, it also provides a healthier and more inviting workplace for the company’s employees."

“Our new global headquarters showcases Newell Rubbermaid’s commitment to be responsible stewards of our environment,” said James Sweet, executive vice president of Human Resources at Newell Rubbermaid. “We are experiencing first hand the benefits of green building, and we invite other corporations to follow our lead when they consider constructing a new facility – sustainable construction is not only good for the environment, it’s also good for employees and business.”

Green Globes is a revolutionary green building guidance and assessment program that has been available in the United States for the past four years. The system has been officially recognized by legislation or executive order in 18 states as well as by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services and the Department of the Interior.  In addition, Green Globes has been formally recognized by private sector institutions such as Aon, Liberty Mutual and the Fireman’s Fund.

To achieve a Green Globes rating, the architects from Perkins + Will, along with base building architects Pickard Chilton and Wakefield Beasley, used the Green Globes tool to assess and rate the building themselves. Later, a GBI authorized third-party building science expert was engaged to review the construction documents, conduct an on-site inspection and confirm the original rating. The building achieved the same Green Globes rating from both Perkins + Will’s building team and the third-party assessor.

“Green Globes offered a helpful interactive framework and review process,” said Kim Rousseau of Perkins + Will, a leader in sustainable architecture.  “We found that the system addressed key sustainable ideas.”

The Newell Rubbermaid Global Headquarters is just one of many projects that have achieved a Green Globes rating. Others include: the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, AK, Blakely Hall in Issaquah, WA, the Pfizer Clinical Research Unit in New Haven, CT, the NewPage Corporate Headquarters in Miamisburg, OH, the Chandler Airport Commerce Center in Chandler, AZ, the RenewAire, LLC corporate headquarters in Madison, WI., the Point at Morristown in Morristown, NJ, the Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter in Fairfax, VA, the Alberici Headquarters in St. Louis, MO and the Materials Recovery Facility in Summit County, CO.

For more information about the GBI and Green Globes, visit www.thegbi.org.