Sustainability
One & Two Greenwood Plaza’s ownership, FSP Greenwood Plaza Corporation, and building management, Cushman & Wakefield of Colorado, Inc., are proudly striving for continued excellence and value through ENERGY STAR and LEED certification. Greenwood Plaza earned the ENERGY STAR rating in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014. In 2009 and 2014, Greenwood Plaza proudly earned LEED Gold certification.
Building management also offers a recycling and composting program that can be customized to any office type or size, and provides guidance on the proper disposal of assorted waste, including batteries, electronics, aerosol containers, and light bulbs. Since awareness is crucial to educating occupants on the benefits of sustainability, Cushman & Wakefield partners with the EPA, U.S. Green Building Council, and others in promoting energy and resource efficiency through exciting campaigns like national Earth Day.
WHAT IS LEED?
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) developed the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, which is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction & operation of high-performance green buildings. Using a points-based rating system, USGBC awards projects four different LEED Certification levels: Certified, Silver, Gold & Platinum. The LEED for Existing Building Rating System helps building owners and operators measure operations, improvements, and maintenance on a consistent scale, with the goal of maximizing operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts.
WHAT IS A GREEN BUILDING?
A green building is the practice of increasing the efficiency of buildings and their use of energy, water, and materials. It is reducing building impacts on human health and the environment, through better operation and maintenance - the complete building life cycle.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE LEED CERTIFIED?
LEED promotes a whole building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five keys areas of human and environmental health
- Sustainable Site Development
- Water Efficiency
- Energy and Atmosphere
- Materials and Resource Selection
- Indoor Environmental Quality
IMPLEMENTED "GREEN" CHANGES
GREEN CLEANING
Green cleaning is defined as cleaning to protect health without harming the environment. This program goes beyond chemical and equipment choices. It includes policies, procedures, on-going personnel training, and shared responsibility efforts that minimize the impact of cleaning materials on the health of building occupants and protect the environment as a whole. As the building became LEED certified, a green cleaning program was implemented including the use of HEPA vacuums, micro fiber dust mops and cloths, and sustainable cleaning products along with recycled paper products.
REDUCE POTABLE WATER DEMAND
Cushman & Wakefield has installed low flow fixtures to all sinks as well as low flow flush fixtures throughout the building. This significantly reduces the amount of water used.
In addition, in 2014 the building installed an ET controller. The ET system measures key climatic conditions to calculate local evapotranspiration (ET) factors. ET is a measurement of the water lost from the soil surface by evaporation and the moisture lost from the plants by transpiration. By installing an ET controller, the building can calculate irrigation schedules to replenish only the water that is needed for plant and soil conditions. This results in a dramatic savings in water, healthier root zones and longer plant life.
LOW VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
The building has implemented a building wide program that mandates all chemicals used should be low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds). This means that cleaning solutions, paints, sealants and such have low to no odor. Using low VOC products improves indoor air quality for all building occupants.
RECYCLING
In addition to the deskside recycling all tenants offer to their employees, the building has battery, chemical, paint, and electronic recycling programs that building tenants are encouraged to use. Recycling can divert harmful chemicals and acids from landfills; which can find its way into the drinking water supply as well as streams and rivers. Tenant electronic and battery recycling is located in Two Greenwood Plaza on the Garden Level inside the janitorial service corridor, to the west of the elevators through the double doors. Additional recycling needs can be scheduled with the management office.
In_Depth_RECYCLING_Program.doc
COMPOSTING
The building has also implemented a composting program that all tenants participate in. The following items are accepted:
- Food Waste
- Coffee Grinds & Filters
- Cardboard (including waxed)
- Produce
- Plants & Flowers
- Paper Napkins/Paper Towels
- Pizza Boxes/Paper Board
- Wooden Stir Sticks
- Compostable Dinnerware
- Paper Bags
- Waxed Paper
- Compostable Trash Bags
HELPFUL LINKS
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=bygtw.view_showOffice
