INTENT
The intent of this Imperative is to establish that manufacturing should not impede the ability of local ecosystems to thrive. The final facility is often one of the areas under the greatest control of the Manufacturer. Therefore manufacturers should take the opportunity to identify and remove any avoidable negative ecological impacts of manufacturing and facility function, and work over time through innovation, infrastructure and landscaping to build positive interactions with the local ecology.
REQUIREMENTS
Living Products are made in facilities that are responsibly located so as to not degrade ecological habitats and their capacity to regenerate. Manufacturers must verify that facilities are not on or adjacent to habitats where there are endangered species unless there is an appropriate provision to protect the species, or the following sensitive habitats:
- Wetlands: maintain at least 15 meters and up to 70 meters of separation.
- Primary dunes: maintain at least 40 meters of separation.
- Old-growth forests: maintain at least 60 meters of separation.
- Virgin prairies: maintain at least 30 meters of separation.
- Prime farmland
Manufacturers must also publicly share a three-year plan that demonstrates how they will achieve on-site landscaping that:
- Matures and evolves to increasingly emulate the functionality of indigenous ecosystems with regard to density, biodiversity, plant succession, water use and nutrient needs.
- Provides wildlife habitat appropriate to the factory’s location through the use of native and naturalized plants and topsoil.
- Operates without the use of petrochemical fertilizers or pesticides for maintenance.
CHANGES FROM LPC 1.1 TO 2.0
This Imperative became a Core Imperative in LPC 2.0, introducing requirements for all manufacturers pursuing the Living Product Challenge to create on-site landscaping improvements and develop a three-year plan to restore the surrounding environments to emulate indigenous ecosystems. ILFI also removed a documentation requirement that previously used a World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) tool that has since been retired.
