Persuasive ‘Everyday’ Sustainability Case Studies

To lots of companies, sustainability can seem like a pretty exotic exercise. This perception can make it hard for us to convince clients and colleagues about the benefits of green building. That may not have to be the case.

‘Tackling the Energy Monster’ was today’s Wall Street Journal report on how soaring energy prices have triggered a reality check among small businesses, which often pay higher utility rates than large companies and are less able to pass their cost increases on to their customers.

This article was packed with eight great case studies of specific ways, backed by cash results, that companies re-tooled their businesses to cut or avoid energy costs. I call these actions ‘everyday sustainability’ because they’re rather unflashy, but are accessible to many businesses and deliver long term positive results.

Here’s a partial list of the winning actions:

• Missouri delivery company: Using GPS-route mapping software from United Parcel Service, Inc. to eliminate excess miles driven by drivers. 25,000 miles were cut. Even though unleaded gas prices rose 31% last year, this company only experienced a 1% increase in fuel costs for that period (!). The company even saved more than that since the drivers were paid by the hour. Less miles driven = less payroll expense.

• Oregon shoe manufacturer: Had new facility built using designed-in energy saving options. The energy-saving improvements cost an additional $149,140. An energy audit revealed that the company saved $32,000 annually with the new facility. In addition to that, the new building qualified for $52,000 in state tax credits to offset the costs. The company figures it will recoup its entire (additional) investment within three years.

• San Francisco civil engineering firm: 40 employees and a second office in New York. Employees now travel 70% less than before due to web conferencing. The web camera and projector cost $70 and $850 respectively. The firm saves $30,000-$40,000 annually.

• Interest-free financing from public utility: Southern California Gas & Electric and San Diego Gas & Electric offer interest free loans of up to $50,000 to small-business customers if they use the funds for energy efficiency upgrades and equipment. That’s in addition to the free utility audit.

So, check the article out and add it to your arsenal of proof that sustainability initiatives are real world actions and save lots of money.

If you’ve got any good case studies to share with the rest of us, send them along so everyone else on the Green Journey can benefit from your good experience.

Galley Eco Capital Joins the Business Council on Climate Change Business Partnership. Takes Action To Reduce Greenhouse Emissions.

Galley Eco Capital has a history of taking action to protect the environment. They now join a list over 82 BC3 member companies dedicated to taking action to address global climate change, while maintaining a competitive bottom line. “Participating in the BC3 is a natural step in our commitment to both grow our business and be environmentally responsible” says Lisa Michelle Galley. “We are excited to work with other members of the BC3 to develop innovative, profitable business approaches that also directly address the growing threat of climate change.”

The BC3, a collaborative partnership with the Bay Area Council, the San Francisco Department of the Environment and the United Nations Global Compact, is poised to make the San Francisco Bay Area a model of commercial climate stewardship by inspiring leadership on the pressing issue of climate change, and giving business leaders the tools to reduce their GHG emissions. The BC3 recognizes that the business community has the power to significantly impact climate change, and it functions as an avenue for communication between companies that have stepped up to the plate to address this challenge. The BC3 seeks to inspire others to do the same, and to build a business movement for climate stewardship.

“The Bay Area has always been an engine of business innovation and growth combined with social responsibility and companies like Galley Eco Capital are a reflection of that environment and culture” said Andrew Michael, Bay Area Council Vice President of Sustainable Development. “They and other visionary BC3 members are proving that the protection of the environment is clearly aligned with the protection of profits and market share.”

The BC3 is built around five “Principles on Climate Leadership” which relate to the areas of: Internal Implementation, Community Leadership, Advocacy & Dialogue, Collective Action, and Transparency & Disclosure. These principles are founded on the belief that private business can shift practices to realize economic growth while maintaining environmental sustainability.

“The addition of new members gives us a great opportunity to redefine how business is conducted in the Bay Area,” says Jared Blumenfeld, Director of the San Francisco Department of the Environment, “and to show that we can surpass the status quo.” For additional information on the Business Council on Climate Change, contact: bc3@sfgov.org or for information on Galley Eco Capital visit: www.galleyecocapital.com

Transforming Building Markets, or Transforming Marketing?

Bill Walsh’s reprinted article in GreenBiz.com with the same title as above passionately highlights the insidiousness of greenwashing within the building materials sectors, but his thoughts address a similar concern across the entire spectrum of real estate development.

“When Home Depot invited suppliers to submit products for consideration in its Eco-Options program, manufacturers claimed that more than 60,000 of the items currently on the shelves were already “green.” According to the New York Times, “Plastic-handled paint brushes were touted as nature-friendly because they were not made of wood. Wood-handled paint brushes were promoted as better for the planet because they were not made of plastic.”

In these heady days of sustainability’s emergence within the commercial real estate industry, how will we hold each other accountable for true market transformation and not cleverly marketing the status quo?

Click here to read the article in its entirety and share your comments with us.

Labels: Bill Walsh, GreenBiz.com, Greenwashing, market transformation