High Performing Buildings - Spring 2009 - (Page 37) av E R ag E a n n U a L S i C k day S P E R E M P L Oy E E Materials & Resources Sustainable Purchasing We worked with VSP’s purchasing 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 department to audit current purchase practices on all office supplies, equipment, and furniture to determine what qualified as a sustainable purchase. For example, we looked for items containing at least 70% salvaged materials, 10% post-consumer content or 20% post-industrial content. Our goal was to increase the percentage of our sustainable purchases to at least 50% of our total purchases. We achieved 54%. Examples of our qualifying purchases include recycled paper, office equipment and recycling containers. To meet the indoor air quality requirements, our goal was to purchase low- or no-VOC products. Our goal was to achieve 90% compliance. We achieved 100%. Examples of our qualifying purchases included paint, carpet and carpet adhesive. To meet the sustainable products and cleaning requirements, our goal was that 90% of our cleaning products would comply. We achieved 96%. Our compliant materials included cleaning products, paper towels, trash can liners, toilet paper and seat covers. Our non-compliant items included hand soap, degreaser and disinfectant. Recycling Our goal was to achieve many things that could be recycled. We were initially at a 40% diversion rate. To meet our goal, we purchased more recycling bins, improved education, and replaced Styrofoam™ cups with washable cups and mugs. We currently recycle all metals, fluorescent lights, batteries and construction waste. Through these efforts, we achieved a 70% diversion rate at the time of certification and are currently at 82% diversion. VSP received one LEED innovation point for installing a chemical-free water treatment system. at least a 50% diversion rate for our waste stream to obtain the maximum number of LEED points. However, we set our own more aggressive goal of 95% diversion. We were already recycling cans, bottles and paper throughout the campus and thought we were doing very well. When we performed an audit of all of our waste, we found that, despite our efforts, we were still throwing away spring 2009 HigH Performing Buildings 37
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