Jun 25 2010
Veolia Environnement’s (NYSE:VE) (Paris Euronext:VIE) North American headquarters in downtown Chicago has been awarded Gold Level LEED® certification by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System(TM) is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operations of high-performance green buildings.
“This is the culmination of a process to make environmentally responsible choices in both design and construction for our North American headquarters,” said George Farr, senior executive vice president of Veolia Environnement North America Operations. “We decided to pursue LEED certification in early 2008, before the site selection process began, to demonstrate our commitment to creating sustainable, environmentally friendly solutions.”
The LEED green building certification program encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through a suite of rating systems that recognize projects that implement strategies for better environmental and health performance. Located in downtown Chicago’s AON Building, Veolia Environnement’s (VE) office space was certified through the LEED rating system for Commercial Interiors, the green benchmark for the tenant improvement market. The system is the recognized method for certifying high-performance green interiors that are healthy, productive places to work; are less costly to operate and maintain; and have a reduced environmental footprint.
Veolia Environnement's North American headquarters in Chicago.
“We decided during the earliest stages of design to enhance the office setting for our employees and to reduce the impact on the environment from both a construction and operations standpoint,” stated Farr. To ensure success, VE partnered with experienced design and construction companies including OWP/P Architects Inc., with a team of LEED Accredited Professionals, a LEED certified design firm; Leopardo Construction, a general contractor with extensive experience in LEED construction; and Steelcase, a furniture manufacturer with the highest commitment to preserving the environment.
In addition to incorporating designs to reduced water and electricity usage and utilize renewable materials of construction, the VE team also achieved Innovation in Waste Handling. VE’s waste services division, Veolia Environmental Services, teamed up with Leopardo Construction to recycle and reuse over 91% of the waste generated during the construction of the office space.
VE continues to actively participate in initiatives that promote sustainable practices. The company is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) and Dow Jones STOXX Sustainability Index (DJSI STOXX). An onsite, volunteer “Green Team” further supports these initiatives through employee activities and communications.
Source: http://www.veolia.com/