Human Health / Social Health & Equity / Ecosystem Health / What’s in Skyline Products / LEED Contributions / Certifications / Circular Economy / Bird-Friendly / PVC-Free

View our 2025 Sustainability Commitment PDF by clicking image above.

At Skyline, our focus is on the measurable impact we have, not just the words we use.

When it comes to sustainability and responsible practices, we as manufacturers must continually refine our approach. This document breaks down our dedication to domestic manufacturing, creativity, and local responsibility as we produce glass products that are both eco-friendly and of the highest standard of quality.

In 1983 Charlie Rizzo founded Skyline, tapping into Chicago’s vibrant culture of creative production. Initially specializing in fiberglass and resin, the company soon shifted exclusively to architectural glass, beginning a longstanding commitment to sustainability and producing durable, eco-conscious products.

Learn more about our company’s history and founding or download our company’s 2025 Sustainability Statement.

Glass, Clearly

Our sustainable commitment begins with our core building material, glass.

Glass is chemically inert.
Glass is a zero-emitter.
Glass is infinitely recyclable.

98% of all Skyline products are made with domestically manufactured Vitro Starphire glass. Vitro glass is Red List Free and Cradle-to-Cradle Certified.

Supporting Human Health through the elimination of hazardous substances.

Glass and resin are common choices for architectural materials. However, there are some real differences in their characteristics and benefits:

Material Efficiency

GLASS / Made to order to the exact size (up to 72″ x 144″), reducing waste and lowering cost
RESIN / Limited to 4×8 and 5×10 sheets, meaning end users pay for the sheet, including waste

Structural Integrity

GLASS / Glass is inherently rigid and can support itself
RESIN / Resin lacks structural rigidity and requires additional support of special hardware

Durability

GLASS / Resistant to scratches, stains, and degradation, making it ideal for high-traffic and healthcare environments
RESIN / Prone to scratching and scuffs from carts, beds, and other equipment

Cleaning & Maintenance

GLASS / Its nonporous surface can be easily cleaned with standard healthcare protocols
RESIN / Requires special cleaning protocols to avoid damage and maintain appearance, leading to higher long-term maintenance costs

Degradation

GLASS / Does not degrade over time, maintaining its original quality and strength
RESIN / Degrades over time, creating crevices that can harbor bacteria and other pathogen

Warranty

GLASS / 5–10 years
RESIN / 2 year limited warranty

DID YOU KNOW? In the 1980s Skyline manufactured Lumicast, an architectural resin product. Despite the commercial success of this product, Skyline was concerned about the environmental impact and health hazards associated with resin as a material. Choosing to focus efforts on a greener future, Skyline discontinued Lumicast and shifted its manufacturing entirely to glass. Read more about our history.

Supporting Social Health & Equity by enhancing well-being for workers, clients, and communities.

Our workforce reflects the diversity of our local community, and we are dedicated to creating a welcoming environment for all team members. Employee retention is high, with more than 50% of staff having been with the company for over 5 years.

Jobs for Refugees
We collaborate with RefugeeOne and Heartland Alliance to provide job placement opportunities for refugees fleeing conflict and persecution.

Jobs for Individuals with Disabilities
We work with Association House to offer part-time, flexible work options for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Re-entry Program Support
We support Teamwork Englewood, a re-entry program that provides opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals, reinforcing our commitment to social equity and inclusivity.

Educational Programs
We partner with the University of Chicago to bring in groups of students for two annual studies to evaluate our sustainability and manufacturing processes. and employ interns through the Chicago Public Schools program to provide office and manufacturing experience before they enter college.

Space for Local Creatives & Makers
Skyline offers below-market rents to various creators, including ceramists, authors, and photographers, within our 150,000 square foot warehouse.

Supporting Ecosystem Health through domestic sourcing and diligent supply chain management.

Glass manufacturing has a relatively short list of materials. Here’s a breakdown of those materials and their sources:

Glass / Midwest + East Coast, USA
Metal / Midwest, USA
Wood / Canada
Inks / East Coast, USA
Paint / Chicago, IL, USA
Eco-etch / Chicago, IL, USA

100% of our glass decoration takes place in our Chicago factory.

Skyline has been manufacturing out of the Humboldt Park neighborhood in Chicago since its inception in 1983, where our local approach minimizes shipping, ensures strict quality control, and fosters design flexibility—all made possible by the skilled labor of our makers.

We focus on minimizing environmental impacts by addressing pollution at its source—the production process.

Emission Controls
We regularly monitor air quality within our facility, using filtration systems to protect our staff and the environment from harmful pollutants.

Water Conservation
We have invested in a state-of-the-art water centrifuge to clean and recycle water from our glass treatment processes and work with local programs to responsibly dispose of any waste.

Water and Energy Efficiency
We have installed water-efficient toilets and faucets and energy-efficient light bulbs throughout our facilities.

Energy-Efficient Equipment
Our continuous investment in high-efficiency machinery reduces energy consumption in production. These machines help minimize emissions by using less electricity and generating lower levels of heat and waste during operation.

Renewable Energy by 2026
We’re committed to installing solar power on the rooftops of our Chicago factory by 2030, advancing our sustainability goals.

What’s in Skyline Products?

Here is a snapshot of the materials utilized in our decorative glass products.

Vitracolor® Back-painting
Locally made, water-based, low-VOC paint is applied to the glass with a uniform, opaque finish. Learn more

Eco-etch®
Chemical-free process using recycled aluminum oxide to permanently etch intricate patterns into the glass surface for interior and exterior applications. Learn more

Digital Printing™
Our digital printing techniques use REACH-compliant ceramic frit inks that are free from lead, cadmium, and heavy metals. Learn more

Laminated Smart Glass
Our process utilizes EVA interlayers, which allow for lower processing temperatures. This is not only energy efficient but also results in a more durable, long-lasting and optically clear final product. Learn more

Certifications

We’re proud to align with the following certifications:

LEED Contributions

Energy & Atmosphere, Credit 1
Skyline glass enhances natural lighting, potentially reducing energy consumption by lowering the need for artificial lighting and HVAC usage.

Materials & Resources, Credit 5.1 – 5.2
Skyline’s central location in the Midwest and regionally sourced materials can help projects meet regional material sourcing requirements.

Indoor Environmental Quality, Credit 4.1 – 4.2
Skyline’s processes have a Clean Air Gold Certification as low-VOC, contributing to healthier indoor environments.

Indoor Environmental Quality, Credit 8.1
Skyline’s glass designs provide natural lighting while maintaining privacy, supporting daylighting and views in regularly occupied spaces.

Innovation & Design Process, Credit 8.1
Skyline’s innovative glass designs and processes support sustainable building practices and enhance overall building performance.

Supporting a Circular Economy through resiliency of product and options for adaptive reuse. By prioritizing sustainable materials, and efficient processes, we contribute to a zero-waste goal for construction activities.

Modified Production Processes
We prioritize non-toxic, environmentally friendly materials, such as water-based and low-VOC paints, PVC-free films and interlayers, and a chemical-free glass etching process.

Material Sourcing + Logistics
By sourcing raw materials from regional suppliers, we reduce transportation emissions and the overall carbon footprint of our supply chain.

Reuse of Materials
Excess glass from job production is reused to create samples, while excess metal is repurposed to reinforce our shipping crates.

Smart Packaging Solutions
Custom wood crates are designed to fit each order, supporting a damage rate of <0.1%. This reduces material use and waste, conserving the materials that would be needed for damage replacement and re-shipping. Packing materials utilize compostable packing peanuts, cardboard inserts, and recycled paper padding.

For the Birds

Surface One Eco-etch is tested to significantly reduce bird strikes

It’s just glass!
Skysafe bird-friendly glass is produced through Skyline’s Eco-etch process, which gently etches patterning into the glass surface. This technique ensures the glass remains fully recyclable, free from chemicals, and cradle-to-cradle certified.

Threat Factor Testing
Skyline patterns have been tested at a threat factor as low as 15. American Bird Conservancy defines materials as “bird-friendly” if they have a threat factor of 30 or lower.

Retrofit Ready: Decorative films with no PVC, cadmium, or phthalates.

A Safer Solution
Film Studio’s PVC-free polyester film is the environmentally friendly alternative to vinyl films made of PVC, a Red List chemical which often contains other Red List ingredients such as cadmium, lead, and phthalates.

Versatile Applications
Film Studio integrates seamlessly with existing glass, supporting evolving architectural needs.

Decorative Films
Manufactured and distributed exclusively by Decorative Films, our domestic partner who shares our sustainability ethos.