|
|
|
|
|
Enermodal’s Green Policies
|
At Enermodal, we like to “walk the walk”
as well as “talk the talk.” And we’d like to share some
of our ideas for green policies and activities as a way
of encouraging others to make improvements in their company
operations.
Our Company Home
Our office building, Green on the Grand, represents a big
step in reducing our corporate environmental “footprint.”
Here are a few ways Green on the Grand is a step forward;
our case study sheet provides more detailed information.
Minimizing Energy Use:
- Through efficient design and operation, our
annual energy use is 113 kWh/m2, more than 70% below
that of a typical new Canadian office building.
(Note: gas consumption is converted to an equivalent
kWh and added to electricity use). Employee annual
energy use is approximately 1600 kWh/person or under
$150/year for each employee.
- Our office was the first North American application
of radiant heating and cooling.
Minimizing Water Consumption:
- Lavatory water faucets are controlled by infra-red
sensors.
- 25% of urinals have been retrofitted to waterless
urinals.
- Rainwater collected in a pond reduces water
required for cooling by over 80%.
- Daily water consumption is under 17 litres per
person (including all water uses).
Minimizing Transportation Energy:
- We encourage employees to bicycle to work by
providing bicycle racks, indoor bike storage locations
and shower facilities.
- Our office is located on the Grand River Trail
to encourage employees to walk to work or at lunch.
- Tele-commuting. When appropriate, employees
may work at a distance from the office. We encourage
our clients to use technology for meetings instead
of requiring individuals in diverse locations to
travel to meetings.
Improving the Indoor Environment:
- Green on the Grand is a non-smoking facility.
A gazebo is provided for smokers away from building
entrances/intakes.
- Flooring is either linoleum or CRI Green Label
carpet to minimize VOC and formaldehyde emissions
- Air handling system provides 100% outdoor air
via displacement ventilation for maximum air quality.
- All new office furniture is GREENGUARD certified.
- A building plan that emphasizes daylighting
to all work spaces means that we work with healthy,
natural light (and reduce electricity usage).
Improving the Outdoor Environment:
- Most of the site is landscaped with native,
drought-resistant plantings that require no irrigation,
fertilization or cutting. Our landscaping also serves
to improve local wildlife habitat.
- All roof stormwater is directed to a man-made
pond that serves as the cooling tower for the air-conditioning
system.
- Shade trees on the west side of the building
minimize cooling loads and encourage wildlife.
The Way We Work
- Computers manually shut off monitors for computers
that must stay on.
- Draft report and internal correspondence is
printed on previously used paper.
- Final reports are printed double sided.
- Older computer equipment is donated to charities
or staff for use at home.
- All toner cartridges are returned for recycling.
- Central areas are set up for office recycling
of all paper, cardboard, metals, glass, and plastics.
The Things We Buy
- Our office coffee is certified organic fair
trade.
- All gifts purchased by Enermodal are from fair
trade or local sources.
- All printer paper contains a minimum of 100%
post-consumer recycled content.
- All office equipment is Energy Star compliant.
Office dishware and flatware is re-usable and washed
in an Energy Star dishwasher.
- 75% of our employees use either laptop computers
or LCD screens.
Green Lifestyle Incentives
- We provide financial support to Enermodal sports
teams.
- We offer a $1000 incentive to any employee installing
a solar energy system on their home.
- We offer a $2,000 incentive to employees to
purchase a fuel-efficient vehicle (under 5L/100
km).
- We pay the cost of a bus pass for employees
who take public transit to work.
- We offer employees free low-flow showerheads,
rainwater barrels, and composting bins.
The Community We Support
As part of environmental awareness, we support charities
that are working to improve the environment and create a
better world. Past recipients include
- Places to Play (2008)
- Evergreen (2007-8)
- All Our Relations Hospice (2007)
-
Engineers Without Borders (2006-2008)
- Toronto Botanical Gardens (2005)
- The Working Centre (2004)
- Earth Rangers Wildlife Centre(2003)
|
|
 |
 Villa Angela, LEED
Gold
Chatham, Ontario
 Ottawa Paramedic Services,
LEED Certified
Ottawa, Ontario
 M5V Condo Sales Office, LEED Silver Toronto, Ontario
 Cambridge City Hall, LEED Gold,
Cambridge, Ontario
|
|
|
