What Makes The Arbour Realty Office Green?

We’ve integrated a number of green actions into our daily operations to lessen our environmental impact. In fact, we received a GOLD rating for our green operations from Green Living Consulting, which assesses businesses and organizations on the greenness of our operations. Want to know what we’ve done to be green? We continue to look for ways to get even greener, but here are the actions we’ve taken to date:

Green Building:

• Utilize Eco-Timber, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood flooring throughout most of the office;
• Purchased countertops made of 75% recycled content composed of post-industrial or post-consumer materials and is bound by environmentally friendly resin, which comes from corn oil.

Energy:

• Have tinted windows which help to reflect sun and reduce energy;
• Use programmable thermostat to regulate heating and cooling;
• Workspaces are located next to perimeter along windows to take advantage of natural lighting for primary work areas;
• Purchase renewable energy credits from Clean Currents to offset 100% of electricity usage, earning us an EPA Green Power Partner designation;
• All of the computers are laptops which have energy savings of as much as 50% over a desktop;
• Computers are set to enter sleep mode after 15 minutes of idling;
• Computers are required to be powered down at the end of every day/shift and/or when not in use for long periods of time;
• Lights are required to be off when not in use (except for emergency lights);
• Over 75% of all appliances are energy star rated;

Waste:

• Re-used, sustainable textiles (organic or recycled) for office furtniture;
• Individual recycling bins are provided for each desk space to collect cans, plastics, glass and paper, as well as a company recycling program set in place;
• An intra-office messaging system is used to conserve paper;
• Employees use reusable products while at work such as mugs, cups, water bottles, plates/bowls & utensils;
• Use 100% recycled paper products (napkins, paper towels, toilet paper);
• Use hand dryers to eliminate the use of paper towels;
• Use 100% recycled and 100% PCW printing/copier paper;
• Use at least 50% recycled content pens, pencils and desk accessories;
• Print marketing materials on at least 80% recycled content and post-consumer waste (PCW) paper;
• Print marketing materials using vegetable based inks;
• Purchase and use envelopes, file folders and other paper office supplies made of at least 50% recycled content/PCW;
• Ensure proper disposal of electronic equipment (computers, cell phones etc);
• Utilize e-signatures for all purchase contracts to eliminate the use of paper;
• Provide contracts electronically to client;
• Have paperless faxing system (e-fax);
• Use electronic rather than paper calendars;
• Conduct correspondence and send forms electronically for majority of business communication;
• Employ and electronic monthly newsletter.

Air:

• Have air purifying plants throughout the office
• Used zero VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint
• Utilize green cleaning products for all aspects of cleaning

Water:

• Installed low flow aerators on sinks;
• Have preventative maintenance for drips and leaks;
• Sinks with low flow restrictors on faucets;
• Toilets are low flow.

Eco-awareness:

• Run dishwashers/ washing machine only when full;
• Have a green mission statement and goals;
• Green commitment posted on website.

Community:

• Coordinate with environmentally or socially responsible organizations or groups to raise awareness, directly benefit a community and/or the environment;
• Donate a percent of profits to an organization that promotes environmental or social justice or awareness;
• Distribute educational information to customers or the public in general regarding your green efforts (and how they can support them);
• Have a cell phone recycling or donation program.

Transportation:

• Located within 1/4 mile of public transportation;
• Have bike racks available for cyclists;
• Located within the heart of Arlington within walking distance of home and work for many clients.