New gypsum board manufacturing plants are designed to be energy efficient, and many older plants have been upgraded to use energy efficiently. Some manufacturing facilities use co-generated electrical power or heat as part of their operations.

The ability of the gypsum manufacturing industry to co-generate power and to use renewable energy sources fits well with the requirements of some of the green building standards in circulation. The NAHB standard, for example, allows a credit to be offered when major components of the building are made with primary energy derived for manufacturing from "renewable sources, combustible waste sources, or renewable energy credits.” *

Energy that was previously disposed or allowed to dissipate is now being re-captured as part of the manufacturing process at some gypsum plants. This includes co-generated power and heat as well as supplemental energy products, including alternative fuels.

Some manufacturing plants recycle water used in the manufacturing process and are nearly self-sustaining in water use. In addition, a number of manufacturing plants are certified as meeting green standard requirements for implementing environmental management systems. Similar to other concepts, facility compliance should be examined on a plant-by-plant basis and verified by specific product manufacturers.