Mecho Unveils EPDs for all Manual Shade Systems
February 20, 2024
All Mecho manual shade systems and shade cloths now have Environmental Product Declarations (EPD’s). EPDs enable architects, building owners and others to understand the environmental impact of an entire manual shade assembly, an industry first. The information is largely centered on embodied carbon - embodied carbon data is in high demand from both specifiers and end-customers and helps them to objectively understand the climate impact of our product.
With the unveiling of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) across our entire suite of manual shade systems, paired with our wide array of Mecho shade cloths, we are excited to announce this industry-first for EPD’s for complete shade assemblies. This achievement furthers Mecho's commitment to advancing its leadership position in sustainability. It represents a significant leap forward in our mission to equip our clients with the most comprehensive and transparent information, enabling them to make environmentally responsible choices with confidence.
Unparalleled Transparency and Commitment to Sustainability
The launch of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for our entire portfolio of manual shade assemblies empowers architects, designers, building owners, and others to transparently evaluate the environmental implications of their window covering decisions. Our initiative is a testament to Mecho's dedication to environmental stewardship, responding to the growing call for sustainable building materials.
A Closer Look at Our Manual Shade Systems
Mecho/7
The latest innovation in our manual shade lineup, Mecho/7 is designed to lift larger shades (up to 30’ window bays and 6 shade bands) with ease. This system enhances design and user experience while providing unmatched durability for challenging environments. It offers an easy and accurate installation process and is easily upgradeable to motorized shades and Cradle-to-Cradle Bronze™ certification – as such, it is ideal for various commercial settings. With a 25-year limited warranty, Mecho/7 sets the industry standard for performance and sustainability.
Mecho/5x
Building on the legacy of Mecho/5, Mecho/5x combines patented clutch technology for nearly effortless lifting of large shades. It offers uniform height for multi-band shades up to 20 feet wide, enhancing room aesthetics and reducing light leaks. Durable and designed for various commercial environments, it's easy to install, compatible with manual operations, and supports health-conscious settings. Certified for sustainability with Cradle-to-Cradle Bronze, it contributes to LEED or WELL certifications and comes with a 25-year limited warranty, making it a comprehensive, efficient shading solution.
Mecho/5
This roller shade clutch set the standard for our industry - it includes more than four decades of proven engineered performance in manual commercial window shades. This patented shade lift system is our flagship product that allows our manual window shades to provide superior quality and performance in all types of commercial buildings.
UrbanShade
A cost-effective commercial roller shade system for projects that don't require Mecho's larger systems. The system is easily installed with its compact design and provides flexibility to manage daylight with room darkening shades. UrbanShade offers manual or motorized lift options that are field upgradeable, letting you design a shading solution that is perfectly suited to meet the demands of your next project.
Why did Mecho invest in EPDs, and why are they important?
EPDs provide third-party verified environmental data, enhancing transparency and building trust among architects and designers (A&D) regarding sustainability claims. EPDs offer a deeper understanding of a products climate impact, including carbon emissions, which supports informed decision-making for designers. We have also received consistent feedback from our sales team and customers that A&D prefers products with EPDs. While widely adopted in other building product categories, EPDs remain underutilized in the window covering industry.
The Process Behind Our EPDs
Since there is no existing product category rule for the window coverings industry, Mecho collaborated with WAP consulting to adopt PCR 2019:14 construction products for custom window shade products. From data collection to modeling to publishing, this process took one full year to complete.
An Eye Towards the Future
The incorporation of Mecho/7, Mecho/5x, Mecho/5, and UrbanShade into our EPD initiative is a big step forward in our sustainability journey. We extend our gratitude to our customers, partners, and team for their support in reaching this significant milestone. As we continue to innovate and lead in innovative shading solutions, Mecho remains committed to supporting our clients' green building goals, contributing to a more sustainable, transparent future.