Learn how to retrofit your facility with sustainable features and get inspired by these five sustainable facilities.
Are you working toward a more sustainable building? Maybe you have a sustainability initiative, or a goal to earn LEED certification. Whatever the case, you’re aiming for a more efficient facility.
Today, we’re sharing some inspiration. These five buildings are working to become more sustainable and improve their carbon footprint.
In a 2018 survey by CBRE, 11.5% of all buildings surveyed were Energy Star labeled and 5.2% were LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified. These numbers are at an all-time high and are steadily rising.
Building operators are choosing to reduce their impact on the environment for a number of reasons. It reduces the cost to operate the building, reduces maintenance costs, contributes to a healthier workplace, and increases competitive advantages.
Your choice is clear. Move forward to a more sustainable building, or be left behind.
Location: Arlington, VA
Sustainability Initiatives:
Certification? The buildings are designed to achieve LEED v4 Platinum certification.
Impact: Amazon conducted an in-depth study in 2020 to examine their energy intensity and carbon output. Through this study, they were able to identify where they can reduce energy usage and their carbon footprint. They have created an Amazon Climate Pledge with the goal of getting to net zero by 2040.
Location: Cambridge, MA
Sustainability Initiatives:
Certification? Yes, LEED Platinum certification.
Impact: Genzyme’s choices have led to 42% less energy usage and 34% less water usage than standard buildings of the same size. Employees also take fewer sick days than they did in their previous building, reducing sick day use by 5%. And 58% of employees reported feeling more productive than in their previous building.
Location: Cambridge, MA
Sustainability Initiatives:
Certification? Yes, LEED Platinum certification.
Impact: PNC saw numerous benefits with its sustainability initiatives. First, PNC reduced energy consumption and carbon emissions by 30%. They did this by updating lighting, improving HVAC sizing, and consistently monitoring energy data. Second, PNC found that their employees’ morale improved as a result of the initiative. A study found that retention and satisfaction improved compared to employees at the traditional branches. An added benefit was that building operating costs were reduced by 35%.
Location: Richfield, MN
Sustainability Initiatives:
Certification? Yes - LEED
Impact: In 2010, Best Buy chose to address its carbon footprint throughout its network of retail stores, distribution centers, and data centers. Since then, it has reduced its emissions by 26%.
Location: Menomonee Falls, WI
Sustainability Initiatives:
Certification? In total, 433 stores are LEED certified.
Impact: The triple bottom line (profit, people, planet) initiatives have led to overall benefits for both employees and the building operators. First, an employee survey showed that worker satisfaction has improved. Second, operating costs are improving. Third, they have seen an annual reduction in energy spending by $10,000. Fourth, they have now converted 35,616,240 square feet of retail space into LEED-certified space.
While these businesses vary in industry and location, they do have one thing in common. They all agree that conserving the environment is a priority. In a large facility, small changes can have a bigger impact than you might realize.
The companies we profiled today not only lessened their impact on the environment, they also saw improved employee morale and retention and lowered operating costs.
Sustainability is a win-win for facilities and the environment alike.
Do you want to learn how Encompass can help you reach your sustainability goals? Schedule a call.
Are you working toward a more sustainable building? Maybe you have a sustainability initiative, or a goal to earn LEED certification. Whatever the case, you’re aiming for a more efficient facility.
Today, we’re sharing some inspiration. These five buildings are working to become more sustainable and improve their carbon footprint.
In a 2018 survey by CBRE, 11.5% of all buildings surveyed were Energy Star labeled and 5.2% were LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified. These numbers are at an all-time high and are steadily rising.
Building operators are choosing to reduce their impact on the environment for a number of reasons. It reduces the cost to operate the building, reduces maintenance costs, contributes to a healthier workplace, and increases competitive advantages.
Your choice is clear. Move forward to a more sustainable building, or be left behind.
Location: Arlington, VA
Sustainability Initiatives:
Certification? The buildings are designed to achieve LEED v4 Platinum certification.
Impact: Amazon conducted an in-depth study in 2020 to examine their energy intensity and carbon output. Through this study, they were able to identify where they can reduce energy usage and their carbon footprint. They have created an Amazon Climate Pledge with the goal of getting to net zero by 2040.
Location: Cambridge, MA
Sustainability Initiatives:
Certification? Yes, LEED Platinum certification.
Impact: Genzyme’s choices have led to 42% less energy usage and 34% less water usage than standard buildings of the same size. Employees also take fewer sick days than they did in their previous building, reducing sick day use by 5%. And 58% of employees reported feeling more productive than in their previous building.
Location: Cambridge, MA
Sustainability Initiatives:
Certification? Yes, LEED Platinum certification.
Impact: PNC saw numerous benefits with its sustainability initiatives. First, PNC reduced energy consumption and carbon emissions by 30%. They did this by updating lighting, improving HVAC sizing, and consistently monitoring energy data. Second, PNC found that their employees’ morale improved as a result of the initiative. A study found that retention and satisfaction improved compared to employees at the traditional branches. An added benefit was that building operating costs were reduced by 35%.
Location: Richfield, MN
Sustainability Initiatives:
Certification? Yes - LEED
Impact: In 2010, Best Buy chose to address its carbon footprint throughout its network of retail stores, distribution centers, and data centers. Since then, it has reduced its emissions by 26%.
Location: Menomonee Falls, WI
Sustainability Initiatives:
Certification? In total, 433 stores are LEED certified.
Impact: The triple bottom line (profit, people, planet) initiatives have led to overall benefits for both employees and the building operators. First, an employee survey showed that worker satisfaction has improved. Second, operating costs are improving. Third, they have seen an annual reduction in energy spending by $10,000. Fourth, they have now converted 35,616,240 square feet of retail space into LEED-certified space.
While these businesses vary in industry and location, they do have one thing in common. They all agree that conserving the environment is a priority. In a large facility, small changes can have a bigger impact than you might realize.
The companies we profiled today not only lessened their impact on the environment, they also saw improved employee morale and retention and lowered operating costs.
Sustainability is a win-win for facilities and the environment alike.
Do you want to learn how Encompass can help you reach your sustainability goals? Schedule a call.