24 Strategies, 24 Hours – Maximize Your Building’s Performance this Earth Day

BOMA International Promotes No- and Low-Cost Ways to Green Buildings

(April 18, 2008—Washington, DC) In honor of Earth Day, The Buildings Owners and Manager Association (BOMA) International has put together 24 strategies for increasing sustainability and optimizing performance in commercial buildings. From water conservation and environmentally-friendly landscaping to recycling and educating tenants, these tips provide no- and low-cost ways to both green buildings and reduce operating costs.

“The office building industry accounts for nearly 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in this country,” said BOMA International Chairman and Chief Elected Officer Brenna S. Walraven, RPA, CPM, executive managing director, national property management, USAA Real Estate Company.  “By implementing no and low-cost strategies, property professionals can reduce energy consumption by as much as 30 percent and be stewards of sustainability.”

BOMA International is asking building managers and owners across the U.S. and abroad to implement the strategies listed below to make energy efficiency and sustainability a priority on Earth Day and every day.

Conserve Water*

1. Install low-flow aerators, which simply screw onto bathroom faucets and can be purchased for about $2.
2. Insert water displacement devices to limit the amount of water used in the toilet tank.
3. Monitor activities with sensors, such as motion-sensor faucets and cooling tower sensors.
4. Implement “dry” cleaning methods. Using a broom, squeegee or dry vacuum cleaner as “dry” instead of “wet” cleaning can save gallons of water.
5. Reduce water pressure.
6. Reset hot water thermostats to the lowest setting possible.
7. Turn off hot water heaters while the building is unoccupied.

Landscape Sustainably

8. Create a landscaping program that makes use of indigenous plants and conserves water.
9. Add composting to your landscape maintenance plan.
10. Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses, which use less water than sprinklers.
11. Schedule an annual review of your property’s irrigation system.
12. Harvest rainwater to water your building’s grounds.

Reduce, Re-use & Recycle

13. Work with vendors who have recycling programs in place.
14. Establish disposal methods to discard electronics and hazardous waste.
15. Use coreless paper products.
16. Ensure that your janitorial service uses “green” cleaning products.
17. Ensure windows and skylights are clean to allow in optimal daylight.
18. Encourage tenants to turn off equipment after hours.
19. Encourage tenants to use ENERGY STAR® equipment.
20. Develop a recycling program for everything (not just paper) - lighting, plastics, metal, glass and cardboard.

Communicate & Educate

21. Institute an energy awareness program.
22. Encourage tenants to institute work from home policies to reduce workplace energy consumption.
23. Create an electronic green newsletter to send to tenants periodically.
24. Encourage tenants and building personnel to utilize environmentally-friendly modes of transportation.

For more tips, strategies and energy efficiency resources, visit BOMA International’s “The G.R.E.E.N.” (The Green Resource Energy and Environment Network) resource page.

*From BOMA/Atlanta’s Water Conservation: Top 10 List of Tips to Conserve Water and Save Money.

CONTACT:
Laura Horsley
Director of Communications
BOMA International
(202) 326-6315 or lhorsley@boma.org