Artistic Builders is utilizing a related company, Capco Steel, to provide the light-gauge steel framing, metal-clad wall systems and specialty steel and structural fabrication for the highly visible project.  The commitment to sustainable construction has been challenging but is the only way to go for San Antonio and the Pearl complex.

To achieve LEED® certification, the Pearl design called for a minimum of 75% of the project’s waste to be recycled.  The Full Goods site has charged a subcontractor to assist with this phase.  All wood, drywall, cardboard and similar waste is sent to the subcontractor’s site where recyclables are separated.  Materials are then ground into powder for recycling.  Steel waste is recycled as scrap by Capco.  Artistic Builders estimates that through the recycling effort, 80% of site waste has been diverted from local landfills.

Full Goods subscribes to the U.S. Green Building Council’s mandate that sustainable construction should serve to benefit employees and surrounding neighbors.  The company has focused on interior air quality.

Only adhesives, paints and solvents with low-volatile, organic-compound ratings have been used.  This specification was developed in the LEED® design process and will assist with elevating the interior air quality.  During the construction process, all ducts have been capped to better protect the system from construction dust.

Artistic Builders has been impressed with the LEED® guidelines for green building materials.  At the Pearl, 50% of the wood is required to be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and must come from areas that engage in re-foresting.  The builder is required to document the wood’s allocation as well as history.

The USGBC has learned that accountability has become a large part of the green construction movement.  With the many financial incentive initiatives accompanying green projects, tracking has become a critical part of the LEED® rating system.

Nestle Waters began utilizing the LEED® system in 2003 when it earned the first LEED® certification for a food and beverage factory in the United States for its operation in Stanwood, Michigan.  Company executives were so impressed with the environmental and social after effects, that all subsequent new facilities have aggressively pursued LEED® certifications.

The Madison County, Florida, manufacturing plant achieved Silver rating in 2006.  The plant in Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee, gained a Silver rating in 2005 while the Cabazon, California, facility became the first food and beverage facility in the world to receive a Silver rating in the country in 2003.

The Nestle plant in Hawkins, Texas, accomplished a Silver rating in 2004.  Presently, there are three Nestle North American facilities pending LEED® certification reviews.

Nestle Waters is proud of its significant environmental achievements.  The company should be and so should the neighboring communities.  Since 2002, the Nestle Waters LEED® certified plants have conserved more than 9 million gallons of water and 1.5 million kwh of energy.  Carbon emissions at these plants have been reduced by 2.1 million pounds and waste has been reduced by a startling 216 million pounds.  108 tons of solid waste has been diverted away from landfills.

The new Pennsylvania facility expects to conserve 220,00 galloons of water a year and save 9.9 billion BTU’s of energy each year.  That is enough energy to heat 125 homes in the area in the course of a year.

These are admirable accomplishments and perfectly suited for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) goals.  The rating system strives to conserve energy and natural resources as well as improve the work environment.  Happy neighbors, happy employees and conscientious employers come together at Nestle Waters North America.

Rubbermaid

“We are excited to add Rubbermaid to our list of participating manufacturers.  It is great to see strong consumer brands like Rubbermaid recognizing the importance of providing better products for indoor environments,” said Dr. Marilyn Black, Founder of GEI.

Safer and healthier indoor environments are what GEI is all about.  Recently, in an independent survey performed by Harris Interactive, 69% of interviewed consumers indicated a preference for products certified for indoor air quality.  As the green movement moves forward, building owners and occupants have become increasingly aware of the importance of indoor air quality.

For Rubbermaid, the Greenguard certification represents a major effort.  The Greenguard Children & Schools Certification program screened Rubbermaid products for 10,000 different volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including phthalates and formaldehyde.  The Greenguard certification attests that Rubbermaid’s products have passed rigorous testing requirements and that they do not release potentially harmful chemicals into the indoor air.

Rubbermaid Product Marketing Manager, Betty Schmal announced the certification; “Rubbermaid strives to provide the best products possible to consumers, and achieving Greenguard Certification is just one way we continue to demonstrate our corporate commitment to environmental stewardship.  We recognize consumers growing desire for green products and wanted to be on the forefront of offering healthy products for indoor environment.”

Greenguard has currently more than 200 participating manufacturers in their certification program.  Other products include paint, mattresses, cribs and children furniture.  Greenguard is cooperating with the National Association of Home Builders and the National Green Building Standard as well as with the U.S. Green Building Council to identify suggested products.

As these various certification programs work together, consumers will come to better understand the products most beneficial for their homes and offices.  Indoor air quality is a leading contributor to a healthy home and workplace.

In some circumstances, these forward-thinking energy companies actually allow repayment over time through the proceeds of newly created energy savings.  Some energy companies will even install solar power or other alternative energy sources and will allow owners to repay over time at a prearranged schedule.

Believe it or not, the recession is providing expanded opportunities for owners of newly LEED® certified buildings.  Financial support is not limited to energy providers.

In addition to considerable federal and local energy tax credits and energy buy-back programs, the Building Owners and Managers Association International and the Real Estate Roundtable support a new $3 billion energy efficiency initiative.  The USGBC has proposed a $15 billion green schools retrofit program.  The federal government is in the midst of finalizing a $75 billion sustainable building revolving loan program.

Building owners who follow the money will soon realize that the recession is providing aggressive first-time sustainable incentives.  Many of the programs specifically refer to the LEED® rating system as the independent third party benchmark system for sustainability.

In today’s low cost, competitive construction environment, the time to start greening could not be better.  What building managers report is that every tenant in today’s market is a valuable commodity.  And, tenants want space in energy efficient, sustainable buildings and they are willing to pay for that space.

There are many ways to begin greening.  Simple, things like converting to efficient light bulbs, instituting aggressive recycling programs, and maximizing equipment efficiency generate savings and send a message.

Landlords are constantly surprised by the enthusiastic response to the simplest sustainable improvement.  New windows, HVAC upgrades and Energy Star involvement will start the sustainable ball rolling.  It really is about time!