FacilityBlog » The Environment

2011 Version Of Standard 189.1

Anne Vazquez — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:30:22 +0000

When introduced in 2009, the standard was the first code intended commercial green building standard in the U.S.

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QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Airblades vs. Conventional Dryers

Heidi Schwartz — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:49:29 +0000

Does anyone have supporting data to show the performance benefits and drawbacks to Dyson Airblades vs. conventional hand dryers?

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FRIDAY FUNNY: The Workplace Treasure Hunt!

Heidi Schwartz — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:53:52 +0000

Using common sense repairs, behavioral changes, and technological improvements, companies can increase the energy efficiency of nearly any kind of facility – a manufacturing plant, a retail store, even an office building.

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NEW PRODUCT FLASH: Moka by Cascades Tissue Group

Anne Vazquez — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:18:24 +0000

This new bathroom tissue is unbleached and composed of 100% reycled fiber.

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WEB EXCLUSIVE: Is Dry Carpet Cleaning Right For You?

Anne Vazquez — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:46:53 +0000

The dry cleaning method is one tool facilities can use to maintain a healthy indoor environment.

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First Three Landscapes Certified By SITES

Anne Vazquez — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:15:32 +0000

The SITES rating system is focused on the sustainable design, construction, and maintenance of built landscapes.

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BOMA, USGBC Update Green Building Report

Heidi Schwartz — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:30:04 +0000

The release of this report comes on the heels of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (U.S. GAO) review of the 2010 report and calls for additional coordination between federal agencies in funding projects with green building criteria.

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NHL Foundation Waters An Oregon River

Anne Vazquez — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:38:19 +0000

The National Hockey League (NHL) Foundation has put forth effort this season to aid the Deschutes River.

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WEB EXCLUSIVE: Ice Melt Tips for Facility Managers

Heidi Schwartz — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:08:22 +0000

Understanding the differences between melters and their optimal use can help facility managers pinpoint the most cost-effective and efficient ice melt tools.

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NEW PRODUCT FLASH: Surface Options from Kimball Office

Anne Vazquez — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:11:32 +0000

The updated portfolio provides facility professionals with more options when seeking natural wood veneers and FSC wood options.

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EPA Approves Latest Refrigerant Substitutes

Anne Vazquez — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:18:49 +0000

The three hydrocarbon substances can be used in small commercial refrigerators and freezers.

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NEW SERVICE SPOTLIGHT: Expanded Green Guidance from Thornton Tomasetti

Anne Vazquez — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:02:21 +0000

The firm's acquisition of Fore Solutions broadens the sustainability services it provides to clients.

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FRIDAY FUNNY: Stink Bug Solutions

Heidi Schwartz — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:42:32 +0000

These hearty creatures have experienced a recent population explosion, and there are no signs of it tapering off, according to experts. Fortunately, there are new ways to solve the problem.

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Textile Recycling Is Another Avenue

Anne Vazquez — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:37:09 +0000

A new website promotes textile recycling for clothing brands, retailers, consumers, municipalities, charities, academics, and more.

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New Employment Partnership Supports Diversity

Heidi Schwartz — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:24:24 +0000

NSBE and Johnson Controls join forces to advance the environmental goals of both organizations and support future employment opportunities for diverse engineering talent.

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WEB EXCLUSIVE: Derelict UK Brownfields Site Undergoes Transformation

Heidi Schwartz — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:40:52 +0000

This brownfield site is now proving to be a perfect example of urban regeneration that not only uses land that, to all intents and purposes, has become derelict, but through commercial development uses the attributes of the site to create new opportunities for the local community.

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NEW PRODUCT FLASH: Bike Racks from PipeGuardsBollards.com

Anne Vazquez — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:42:32 +0000

Facilities can encourage occupants to bicycle, rather than drive, by installing bike racks that are convenient and secure.

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St. Louis Office Diverts 11 Tons From Landfill

Anne Vazquez — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:32:19 +0000

This fall, employees at One Met Square have sent an average of 1.5 tons of food per week to be composted, rather than simply discarded.

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Green Expert Lists Sustainable MegaTrends for 2012

Heidi Schwartz — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:46:28 +0000

Green building consultant Jerry Yudelson, CEO of Yudelson Associates, has released his annual list of green building trends for 2012, in what he calls MegaTrends.

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NSF Recognizes Wallcoverings Distributor

Anne Vazquez — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:16:57 +0000

TRI-KES of Dallas, TX is the first to be qualified as a sustainable wallcovering source under a new NSF Standard.

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QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Landscaping Guidelines

Heidi Schwartz — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:39:34 +0000

I am working on a project that involves a constructed wetland for effluents, and I am in need of assistance with regard to pond or marsh landscaping.

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LEED-Certified Existing Buildings Surpass New Construction

Heidi Schwartz — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 20:12:30 +0000

In 2009, projects certified under LEED for Existing Buildings: O&M surpassed those certified under its new construction counterpart on an annual basis, a trend that continued in 2010 and 2011.

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NEW PRODUCT FLASH: HYGEN Clean Water System by Rubbermaid

Anne Vazquez — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:13:48 +0000

This system promotes cleaner mops and facility surfaces with a water filter integrated into the mop bucket.

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FRIDAY FUNNY: Hot Tub Data Centers!

Heidi Schwartz — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:18:00 +0000

Data centers are not the typical backdrop for humor, but a few years back, an ad campaign took a poke at the temperature issues inherent in server rooms packed wall to wall with essential computer technology.

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NEW SERVICE SPOTLIGHT: App Lab for LEED from USGBC

Anne Vazquez — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:43:37 +0000

The U.S. Green Building Council has introduced the online App Lab as part of its LEED Automation Program.

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