a balanced approach to sustainable building

Green Tips

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  • Developing buildings and leasing space close to public transit and/or commuter train routes reduces the need for additional parking and encourages employees to leave their cars at home.
  • Providing secure bicycle storage and shower facilities helps to encourage staff to bike to work.
  • Set your printers and copiers to print double sided reduce how much you spend on paper while reducing your impact on the environment.
  • Purchase only FSC certified or 100% recycled paper for all printing and copying needs to help reduce your impact on virgin forests.
  • Maximizing exposure to natural light and installing lighting control systems can substantially reduce your energy consumption.
  • When leasing space encourage energy and water efficiency by looking for buildings that provide individual metering for utilities and charge tenants directly base on actual usage. Why should you pay for your neighbour to leave their lights on all night?
  • Promote comprehensive recycling programs in your office with recycling paper, cans, plastics, cardboard, and toner cartridges. Commercial organic recycling programs are now available through many waste management companies.
  • With your recycling program in place, ask your account manager or property manager to help you track how much waste you are diverting from landfills.
  • Renovate existing buildings and leased spaces to reduce the amount of construction waste created and the demand for new construction materials.
  • Implement an annual indoor air quality testing program. A comprehensive testing program not only measures for contaminants in the air but can also help monitor air flow efficiency, CO2 levels and thermal comfort.
  • Preventative maintenance programs for equipment and control systems help ensure systems are operating at peak efficiency leading to energy savings and prolonged equipment life.
  • Buying local or regional green power not only helps reduce your own carbon footprint but subsidizes the generation of alternative power generation in your area.
  • Create a green cleaning program. Creating an environmentally friendly space shouldn't end once you move in.
 
GreenTIPS

When leasing space encourage energy and water efficiency by looking for buildings that provide individual metering for utilities and charge tenants directly base on actual usage. Why should you pay for your neighbour to leave their lights on all night?