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Greening Gotham and How You Can HelpVornado recognizes that a cultural change is taking place in the manner in which buildings operate, from energy and materials use to indoor environmental quality. In the age of high energy prices and increasing concern about the environment, it's no wonder that the real estate and building management industries are taking steps to reduce the environmental impact of their buildings. In the U.S., buildings account for 70% of electricity consumption, 39% of all carbon dioxide emissions, and 30% of waste output. As Vornado works to reduce its environmental impact, you will hear about what your building is doing – and how you can help. Vornado: Working with the U.S. Green Building Council to Green Existing Portfolio
Green Cleaning in the Workplace
Americans spend an average of 90 percent of their time indoors; thus, the quality of the indoor environment has a significant influence on well-being, productivity and quality of life.
Recycling at Vornado BuildingsReducing waste generation and ensuring proper recycling of materials is also a key component of Vornado's commitment to the environment. With the help of sustainability solutions firm Great Forest, Inc., all Vornado-NY buildings are in compliance with local recycling regulations and currently recycle all types of paper, cardboard, fluorescent bulbs and electronic equipment. In addition, all buildings have in place programs to recycle glass, metal and plastic. Tenants and building staff are also encouraged to work with Great Forest to donate reusable office supplies and furniture rather than dispose of them. Keeping items out of the landfill reduces pollution and saves the energy needed to create new products from raw materials.
Vornado's building-wide sustainability efforts are just part of the solution. Tenants can promote sustainability throughout their offices in many ways; here are ways you can help:
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© 2008 Vornado Realty Trust • 888 Seventh Avenue., New York, NY 10019 • Phone: 212.894.7000
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Helping buildings to become green, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) created the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system. Well known as an architectural standard, LEED evaluates buildings according to five categories: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources, and Indoor Environmental Quality. Vornado-NY has registered the entire portfolio of buildings for LEED-Existing Buildings certification and is in the review and application phase. Meanwhile, all future Vornado buildings will be built to LEED standards. LEED certified buildings off many environmental and economic advantages, including reduced energy and maintenance costs, lower water usage, cleaner indoor air, and increased materials recover and recycling. Building staff and tenants benefit from the energy savings, reduced pollutants, high efficiency of building operations and even additional worker productivity due to a healthier and safer work environment.
Americans spend an average of 90 percent of their time indoors; thus, the quality of the indoor environment has a significant influence on well-being, productivity and quality of life. Conventional cleaning products can contain asthma-inducing chemicals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carcinogenic ingredients, none of which belong in a healthy building. BMS, responsible for cleaning and maintenance services at Vornado-NY buildings, is committed to using the safest and most ecologically sound products. BMS has implemented Green Seal certified cleaning products to ensure that they meet strict health and environmental guidelines. BMS also purchases reusable microfiber rags for the staff to use instead of disposable paper towels and 80% recycled content process chlorine free paper products for bathroom use.
