Harmonic Environments: Setting Green Standards

Harmonic Environments, the premier manufacturer of interior water features, has always been passionate about its outstanding product design, attention to detail, customer service and high ethical standards. Now its bona fides include a redefined and continuing commitment to sustainability.

Working with Ecoimpact Consulting (full disclosure – I’m an Ecoimpact partner and worked on this project), and following a stringent assessment of its product, process and policies, Harmonic Environments moved beyond the inherent environmental attributes of indoor water features – the well-being benefits and healing power of flowing water, as an example – and identified a number of green features already incorporated into its products.

Harmonic Environments’ proprietary water purification system, Zone Pure, leads the industry in effectiveness and ease of use by removing scale, minimizing maintenance, eliminating all microbiological growth and sanitizing without the use of harmful chemical additives.

HE’s water pumps are 20 percent more efficient than standard – some as low in energy consumption as 2.4 kwh per day – and silent, essential for gaining the soothing acoustical benefits of the fountains. Energy efficient LED lighting is used for illumination.

Harmonic Environments’ standard offerings included both recyclable and recycled content products including glass, metals and engineered stone. The company also identified additional components with higher percentages of recycled content such as a Cradle-To-Cradle certified 100 percent post-consumer recycled glass.

The company embarked on its escalated environment mission in order to set higher standards for itself and its industry. Two leading edge initiatives are in the pipeline. The first, planned eco-versions of all products will enable designers to easily specify PVC-free, toxic-free water fountains for their projects. “Blue Bellaqua,” available now also offers recycled or recyclable packaging, Greenguard and FSC certified laminate finishes installed with post-consumer recycled content substrates and Green Seal certified cleaning agents for ongoing maintenance.

The second initiative offers green guidelines for contractors, important since the majority of Harmonic Environment’s fountains are assembled onsite. The guidelines will specify environmental options as well as minimum thresholds for contractors to use to contribute to LEED points.

Harmonic Environments’ environmental journey continues to evolve. The company is committed to setting new goals and benchmarks. Ongoing and future plans include additional research into greener materials, the increased use of renewable energy in manufacturing, third-party certifications and end-of-life disposal options. Ambitious? Yes. Impossible? By no means. Eventually all products will have to get there. Harmonic Environments is simply ahead of the curve.