The First Facility Management Blog

With Earth Day just around the corner, a new MSN Green survey finds it’s not always so easy being green. The survey found that overwhelmingly, almost 70% of the Americans surveyed say that they would never limit toilet flushes to conserve water or use a kitchen compost.

As the country celebrates Earth Day, statistics show America produces enough trash in one day to equal the weight of the Empire State Building. Although half of respondents say they recycle everything possible, the rest of America needs some convincing, or some help. Nearly half (46%) say it will take a simplified system for identifying recyclables and curbside pickup to motivate them to recycle all their waste. However, according to the MSN Green Earth Day Survey, almost 20% of people still do not have access to a local recycling service, and others do not know what a carbon footprint is.

“Educating one’s self is a quick and easy way for people to play a part in this year’s Earth Day,” said Lisa Tiedt, MSN Green Expert. “MSN Green is the all-in-one source for news, information and tools that inspire people to enrich their lives and the environment — around the world and around the block.”

“To achieve long-term sustainability, Americans are going to have to go above and beyond their traditional green routines of recycling, and work to influence policy that will open up additional recycling options and keep people from littering,” Tiedt said.

Luckily, some people are showing their willingness to becoming more eco-friendly.

When asked what deed they would do to help reduce their carbon footprint, almost half (49%) of respondents said they would either give up air conditioning for a summer or become a vegetarian for a year. However, eco-friendliness has its limits. According to the survey, almost a third of the Americans surveyed say it would take either a tax credit or $1 million for them to recycle or compost all of their waste.

Forty percent of respondents believe that most people go green for factors unrelated to the environment. Instead, they believe most do it because of a celebrity role model or because they are a trend follower. So, if all else fails, America can always look to celebrities to lead the green charge — with Leonardo DiCaprio heading the pack among female respondents as the most inspirational eco-celeb and Cameron Diaz among male respondents.

From eco-friendly cooking and cleaning tips to the best hybrid cars and gardening tips, MSN Green gives eco-friendly citizens all the information they desire. Consumers can find tips and tricks on how to achieve a more happy, healthy and sustainable lifestyle at http://green.msn.com.

The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International has issued “100 Days, 100 Ways,” a list of tips and strategies to help property professionals make going green a priority on Earth Day and every day. With the office building industry accounting for nearly 20% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, BOMA has committed to making the commercial real estate industry sustainable and energy efficient.

Just as BOMA is dedicated to “greening” the industry, the Obama administration has pledged to make greening America a centerpiece of its agenda. With only one week separating Earth Day and the close of President Obama’s first 100 days in office, BOMA released the list to commemorate a shared green vision with the new administration.

“These 100 straightforward strategies for going green are critical tools any property professional can put to work today,” said BOMA International Chair and Chief Elected Officer Richard D. Purtell, portfolio manager, Grubb & Ellis Management Services, Inc. “We look forward to working with the Obama administration and other public leaders as we continue to make energy efficiency and sustainability a priority throughout the built environment.”

Here are just 10 of the 100 ways commercial real estate professionals can green their operations this Earth Day:

1. Benchmark energy consumption through ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager
2. Harvest rainwater for landscaping
3. Institute a tenant energy awareness program
4. Convert inefficient lamps and ballasts to T8, T12, and T5 lamps
5. Add composting to landscape maintenance plan
6. Hold an e-waste day and collect old printers, computers and electronics for recycling
7. Team clean building floor-by-floor to reduce electricity use
8. Install solar shades to block heat
9. Install bicycle racks in building for tenants who bike to work
10. Use low-VOC paints, sealants and adhesives for building improvements

See all 100 strategies by downloading this PDF: 100-ways-100-days.

Zeftron nylon, a premium nylon 6 commercial carpet yarn system, is sponsoring its first annual Zeftron nylon Sustainable Practices Award this coming Earth Day, April 22, 2009. The award will recognize facility professionals who employ innovative sustainable practices in three key areas: at work, at home, and in their communities.

Submissions will be accepted April 22 through September 30, 2009.

“Zeftron nylon has been producing environmentally responsible yarn systems for more than 30 years and now it’s our turn to acknowledge people who are making a difference,” said Tim Blount, Zeftron nylon’s business leader. “We believe that in order to create a truly sustainable future, everyone must practice environmentally responsible activities—not just at their work or in the product they make—but in every aspect of their life. That’s why this award recognizes facility professionals who are taking innovative strides to create more sustainable environments at home, at work and in their community.”

Submissions will be judged on originality and innovation, and the best entries will be compiled for Zeftron nylon’s “Best Practices and Green Tips”, which will be made public at the end of the year and is designed to be a resource for other professionals.

How to Enter: Entry forms are available at http://spa.zeftronnylon.com and may be submitted online. Entries will be accepted from April 22, 2009 to September 30, 2009. There is no cost to enter.

Eligibility: The award is open to all facility professionals in the continental United States. Additionally, architecture and interior design professionals are also encouraged to submit their entries.

Recognition: The winner will be announced in November during Greenbuild 2009. They will receive recognition for their accomplishments and a $2,000 grand prize donation in their name to an environmentally focused charity. The winner will also be highlighted in news announcements and be featured prominently on the Zeftron nylon Sustainable Practices Award website.

TFM spoke with Zeftron’s Tim Blount to discover some more details about this new award:

Q. It’s interesting that this award seeks to recognize the sustainable practices of facility professionals in three spheres—at work, at home, and in their community. Can you elaborate on why Zeftron decided to expand the focus beyond the workplace?

A. We want to acknowledge people who are making a sustainable difference. There are a lot of facility professionals who implement environmentally responsible approaches on a day to day basis. Rising interest in LEED and other accreditation programs certainly show us that. So, facility professionals have a unique understanding of how to apply energy, water, and other important resource saving strategies in their daily work. And as a result of this, it’s likely that many of these professionals are employing similar techniques in their own home or in their community.

We believe that in order to create a truly sustainable future, everyone must practice environmentally responsible activities—not just at their work or in the products they make—but in every aspect of their life. That’s why this award recognizes facility professionals who are taking innovative strides to create more sustainable environments at home, at work and in their community.

Q. What type of materials and information are entrants asked to supply?

A. We know that facility professionals are incredibly busy people. That’s why we’ve made the entry process as quick and easy as possible. Plus, there is no cost or fee to enter.

All entrants will need to complete the online entry form at http://spa.zeftronnylon.com beginning on April 22, 2009. We’re asking all entrants to provide their tips (no more than 150 words) on how they are being environmentally responsible at their work, home, and in their community. Submissions will be judged on originality and innovation. Entrants also have the ability to submit electronic images as well, if they’d like.

Q. What prompted Zeftron to include a charitable contribution as part of the award?

A. We want this award to be as meaningful as possible. Although it’s important to recognize what people are doing to be more “green,” recognition only goes so far in creating a sustainable planet. That’s why we’ll be making this $2,000 donation to an environmentally focused charity of their choosing. Whether the donation goes towards purifying water sources, protecting endangered species, or saving the rainforest, we’re sure the winner will be pleased to be able to help a cause that is making a real difference.

Q. Zeftron plans to include the best entries in its “Best Practices and Green Tips” at the end of 2009. Can you tell us more about this resource and what it offers to facility professionals?

A. Again, we want to do more than just recognize facility professionals for their sustainable practices and green achievements; we want to create something meaningful and tangible. In the true spirit of the term “reuse,” we plan to take the best submissions and turn them into a “Best Practices and Green Tips” publication so other facility managers can see what their peers are doing.

We are hoping that this document will serve as a resource to facility managers who are trying to lead a holistically sustainable lifestyle at their work, home, and in their community. We expect the publication will be full of unique ideas to help people live more fully sustainable lives.