It’s clear that sustainable building practices are quickly becoming the industry standard and expectation. While going green used to mean you were ahead of the pack, these days it is something you must maintain to stay competitive. Companies have had to learn how to incorporate green energy practices including solar, energy storage and building efficiency technologies that address these social and economic responsibilities. So, as we recognize Green month and celebrate Earth Day on April 22, we’ve highlighted some of the top green energy cities and businesses below.
Green Energy Cities that Stand Out
Three cities really stand out when it comes to green energy building adoption: Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C. They are all strong sustainable examples that have embraced green building practices more than the average.
Number three in the index, Chicago has one or more green building certifications on more than two-thirds of their square footage. In Washington, the nation’s second largest commercial office market, has more than 40% of certified green space. And in terms of ordinances supporting green buildings, “no one ranks higher than New York City.”
Going Green- More than a Food Trend
In the restaurant business, going green means much more than adding kale to a customer’s meal. Restaurants are focusing on green energy initiatives like water efficiency; waste reduction and recycling; sustainable building materials; sustainable food, energy and disposables; and chemical and pollution reduction. The Green Restaurant Association (GRA) has created a rating system for restaurants, you can see some of the top picks at the Daily Meal.
Search more certified green restaurants across the nation on dinegreen.com.
LEED Leader
Starbucks is now the world’s ‘greenest’ retailer. This environmentally conscious coffee company now has more than 700 “LEED certified” energy efficient stores – more than any other retailer in the world. They have LEED-certified locations in 19 countries. Starbucks has been opening stores that adhere to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards for 10 years.
Solar Stars
The top 20 companies who use solar panels to power up their businesses (in terms of on-site solar capacity deployed) include:
1. Walmart (WMT),
2. Costco (COST),
3. Kohl’s Department Stores (KSS),
4. IKEA,
5. Macy’s (M),
6. McGraw-Hill (MHP),
7. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ),
8. Staples, Inc. (SPLS),
9. Campbell’s Soup (CPB),
10. Walgreens (WAG),
11. Bed, Bath & Beyond (BBBY),
12. Toys ‘R’ Us (TOY),
13. General Motors (GM),
14. FedEx (FDX),
15. White Rose Foods,
16. Dow Jones (DJ),
17. Snyder’s of Hanover (LNCE),
18. ProLogis (PLD),
19. Hartz Mountain Industries,
20. Carryall
Combined, this top 20 list generates an estimated $47.3 million worth of electricity each year.
Green Energy with KMB
It’s clear that sustainability and green energy practices are quickly becoming the industry standard. And thanks to a number of innovative, technological developments, it’s easy to implement and embrace. Whether you’re a large or small business, we have the solar and engineering solutions for all your green energy needs. Contact us today to learn more!