Tag: sustainability

Pitfalls to Avoid When Choosing Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products

As the health risks associated with conventional cleaners and disinfectants become more widely known, businesses are increasingly looking to protect their customers and employees by searching out sustainable alternatives. That’s a sound instinct, but what does it really mean to get a green clean? That question turns out to be more complicated than it might […]

DOE Launches ‘Road Show’ Video Series on Green Manufacturing Facilities

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has launched the first season of the Better Climate Challenge Road Show, a video series highlighting the leadership of public and private organizations in decarbonizing buildings and industrial plants. Available to watch anytime on the Better Buildings Solution Center, the series follows DOE and national lab staff as they road […]

HVACR Industry Celebrates World Refrigeration Day

Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) industry group ASHRAE has joined organizations, government agencies, and companies worldwide to support World Refrigeration Day. Celebrated on June 26th each year, the annual event is dedicated to raising awareness about the significant role of refrigeration and air conditioning to modern life. This year’s theme, “Next Generation Cooling,” highlights […]

Rutgers University Drives Toward Carbon Neutrality with New Solar Carports

Rutgers University has selected DSD Renewables to install 16 solar carport canopies, totaling 14.5 MW, in parking lots across the New Jersey university’s multiple campuses. This is the first major sustainability initiative to roll out since University President Jonathan Holloway announced Rutgers’ commitment to a Climate Action Plan in September 2021. The project, expected to […]

North America’s Largest Floating Solar Project Powers Water Treatment Facility

Organizations wanting to go green typically install rooftop or ground-mounted solar projects or buy renewable energy credits. But a water utility in New Jersey has embraced a novel approach, installing North America’s largest floating solar project. Consisting of 16,510 solar panels, the 8.9-megawatt (MW) solar array covers 17 acres of the Canoe Brook reservoir in […]

SMB Sustainability Starts with Empowered Facilities Managers

Virtually every business has a carbon footprint, and with that the responsibility to understand its effect on the environment and all the entities with which it interacts. While climate action is often associated with the largest corporations, the fact is that small to midsize businesses (SMBs) make up almost 90% of global enterprises. Their individual […]

Feds Ink Another MOU to Power Facilities with 100% Clean Energy

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and the White House Council on Environmental Quality announced a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) with major utility Xcel Energy. Under the MOU, the parties will work toward powering federal facilities in Minnesota, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin with 100% carbon-pollution-free electricity (CFE) by 2030. The deal is in […]

2023 Commercial Building Trends Include AI, Sustainability, and Predictive Maintenance

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commercial real estate and building management sectors have had the opportunity to adapt and capitalize on new opportunities. Among the various sectors comprising the industry, the U.S. engineering and construction segment has demonstrated impressive growth, with a notable 8% increase in construction spending during the beginning of […]

EPA Offering $400M to Fund Green School Bus Fleets

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is offering more funding to help school districts across the country make the switch to alternative fuel bus fleets. In late April, the agency launched a $400 million round of grants under its Clean School Bus Program, with applications due by Aug. 22. The funding is made possible by […]

Under Construction: Top Facility Projects of May 2023

Facilities Management Advisor’s “Under Construction” series highlights some of the latest, most interesting facility project announcements every month. Tesla in Texas There’s no denying Elon Musk is a brilliant businessman, but he’s also a talented showman. Nearly everything he does is flashy and intriguing, including space rockets, flamethrowers, Twitter takeovers, and a host of product […]