About Vetrazzo
Vetrazzo®, the original recycled glass surface (RGS), enhances the beauty of places people live and work. Vetrazzo was invented in 1996 by a PhD in Glass and Ceramic Sciences who was driven by his desire to recycle discarded glass, capture its inherent beauty and transform it into an artistic, durable building product. Crafted from 100% recycled waste glass in a resin-free, cement binder, Vetrazzo is a stunning surface used primarily for countertops, tabletops, bars, fireplace surrounds and architectural cladding.
We use diverse glass sources including bottles from our local curbside recycling program, reclaimed building-demolition glass, bottling line breakage and even decommissioned traffic light lenses, to ensure that every Vetrazzo countertop is a work of art. We utilize recycled glass in its raw form, never remelted, thereby preserving the embodied energy and upcycling it into a product of higher value. Vetrazzo is one of the most sustainable alternatives to quarried stone available today.
As a B Corporation, we can propagate our message of a better way of doing business, align ourselves with a like-minded community of businesses and further develop our roadmap for continued improvement. Being a B Corporation also enhances our transparency and helps us demonstrate our commitment while providing certification of our triple-bottom-line business practices.
The foundation of our business is triple-bottom-line accountability: we measure our success in terms of people, planet and profit. We create “green collar” jobs and we provide an excellent work environment and full health benefits for all employees. We are a Certified Green Business and produce Vetrazzo in a refurbished, day-lit factory. All water used in manufacturing is recycled in a closed-loop system and our building hosts a one-megawatt solar system that generates renewable energy.
The Change We Seek®
At Vetrazzo we are demonstrating a better way of doing business. Our guiding principles are Gorgeous & Good. We ask our employees to consider with every decision, whether the choice they make creates beauty and serves the greatest good.
• Gorgeous: Vetrazzo makes gorgeous products that enhance the living world, through recycling, and enhance the lives of individuals by adding beauty to the places they inhabit.
• Good: We are committed to serving the interest of every person involved in our business and our community. We have created an enjoyable and meaningful work environment, use sustainable practices throughout our business and help to solve the environmental crisis.
Vetrazzo’s unique aesthetic sparks a dialog among consumers. Our marketing materials and tagline, “a story in every surface™,” connect the customer to specific glass stories and inspire a conversation about recycling, beauty and the transformative power of doing good. These conversations often lead to positive action.
Vetrazzo
- Industry: General Building Materials
- Product/Services: Countertops
- Location: Richmond, CA
- http://www.vetrazzo.com
Summary:
Certified: June 2009| Points Earned | % Points Available | |
|---|---|---|
| Environment » | 25.6 | 54% |
| Employees » | 22 | 51% |
| Community » | 13.3 | 30% |
| Consumers » | 30.5 | 60% |
| Leadership » | 10.3 | 70% |
| Composite B Score | 101.7 | 53% |
- >80 out of 200 is eligible for certification
- >60% points available = Area of excellence
Highlights:
2008 B Impact ReportEnvironment: >50% of buildings LEED certified; >75% recycled office supplies; >50% renewable energy; post-consumer recycled materials in product (including packaging) increased bi-annually
Employees: all employees paid living wage; 100% of individual health insurance premiums covered; >50% of family health insurance premiums covered; 100% reimbursement for Continuing Education; 3 weeks vacation
Community: >20% of expenditures directed toward local suppliers; >30% of employees live in low-income communities; >10% of suppliers located in low-income communities; >10% of net profits given to charitable organizations
