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Volpe Center Goes Green! Initiatives Underway on Campus

The Volpe Center recently achieved a number of "greening" initiatives, particularly in energy efficiency and recycling. Through recycling information campaigns, installation of recycling receptacles in hallways, conference rooms, and common areas, and a campus-wide clean-up event, the Volpe Center "Green Team" has fostered a culture of recycling and reuse.

The "fruits" of the Volpe Center staff labors at the May 2008 campus-wide clean-up day. (Volpe Center photo)

Last year, the Volpe Center's recycling rate for paper, plastic, glass, and aluminum increased from 2 percent to over 40 percent. The more than 60 tons of total recyclables the Volpe Center diverted from landfills represents 900 trees saved and conservation of 370,000 gallons of water and 185 metric tons of CO2 emissions—the equivalent of emissions from 42 automobiles.

Recently, a program has begun to compost yard waste and recycle "hard-to-recycle" items, such as recordable media and computer peripherals. The Green Team is also conducting a comprehensive waste audit to identify additional waste-reduction opportunities and provide tailored training to facilities staff and contractors.

The Volpe Center also engaged NSTAR in an energy audit to identify additional opportunities for energy conservation. While the audit team determined that the Volpe Center's energy consumption is better than that of 75 percent of contemporary buildings, the audit report highlighted many recommendations to further increase energy conservation at the Center. In addition to the excellent progress in recycling, reduction and conservation, the Green Team is also pursuing a rigorous environmental performance improvement process through the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

The Volpe Center has registered for certification in USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for excellence in operations and maintenance. LEED is a thirdparty certification program and is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED certification requirements will help the Volpe Center meet and exceed Federal facility requirements and include attaining an ENERGY STAR building/campus rating of 65, reducing potable water consumption by 20 percent, and recycling at least 50 percent of consumable materials.

Before the Volpe Center can apply for LEED certification, much work must be done to incorporate "green" best practices for facilities management ranging from indoor air quality to environmentally beneficial procurement practices. Full implementation is expected by as early as fall 2010, in time for the Volpe Center's 40th Anniversary. This is well ahead of the 2015 deadline mandated by the Federal government.