Getting More Builders to Adopt Green Standards

Every structure begins with a foundation and a framework; a representation of the precepts applied by an industry that is always building, growing…...creating our civilization as we know it. So isn’t it time that such an enterprise, so focused on growth, take extra measures to prevent the deterioration of our environment?

It’s understandable that most businesses will opt for cost-effective measures over eco-friendly ones… especially when the notion of reducing their carbon footprint threatens those sensitive budget boundaries. 

But what if there were solutions that benefited both profits and planet? Hopefully it would be a no brainer.  Perhaps most A/E/C firms want to operate at the greenest possible standards, but there simply aren’t enough cost-healthy resources available to do so.

There’s no fairness in shaming a construction company for environmentally harmful practices if they lack access to more eco-friendly methods that won’t break the bank. As such, the responsibility falls equally on the shoulders of supporting industries and vendors patronized by A/E/C firms.

Lumber should come from sustainable sources. Vehicles and heavy equipment should produce fewer pollutants with higher efficiency. Tools of the trade, both physical and digital, should help reduce waste as well as overconsumption.  And all of these need a more reasonable price tag.

As the ‘green’ movement gains momentum, most notably with concepts such as “LEED” (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and similar programs, more contractors and industrial entities will come under scrutiny for eco-friendly practices…and perhaps rightly so.

Even at the Federal level, with environmentally-focused cabinets, committees and legislation becoming a Congressional mainstay, private industry is compelled to make changes for the benefit of our planet.

Fortunately, the first (albeit least expensive) steps are being taken by many firms across the country to initiate proactive green practices. Those first few steps may be small ones but they’re extremely important, as they represent the educational groundwork that is so essential to creating significant and long-lasting changes.

However, simply perpetuating awareness and holding weekly meetings or ‘toolbox talks’ is only a supplement of the greater solution, which involves taking action. Again, we have to remember that the most practical methods are those that don’t require a sacrifice but rather create a win-win scenario for enterprises wishing to employ greener standards.

Just because something is ‘green’… if it doesn’t also contribute an evident value, why would a company adopt it? More importantly…isn’t it a bit presumptuous that we would expect them to? We are only fooling ourselves to think that motivating greener standards through ‘doom and gloom’ scare tactics and guilt trips will ever prove effective in the current ‘cash is king’ society. The solution will be the same as it is for selling anything else to a corporation: Justifying the value.

For example, consider an A/E/C-focused file sharing software such as eTransmittal. At its core, it meets the need for sending, sharing and tracking large files commonly handled among building project teams. The green benefits of using eTransmittal are significant. It eliminates the need for building teams to print and ship large documents, blueprints and other paperwork, thereby slashing paper waste and over-consumption.  It offsets the carbon footprint of typical construction jobs. But no one expects an architect or engineer to pay for such a product solely based on its green benefits. The value lies in the features that cut the core costs, streamline the project, improve overall efficiency and solve problems encountered when using the wrong file sharing tools.

As a support service for A/E/C firms, we know the product has to present value for the core business first and foremost.  Contributing additional green advantages is secondary, although equally important. The bottom line: Pushing momentum in the green building movement is substantially easier and more effective if project teams can acquire environmentally friendly resources that present value in other ways. Support starts with solutions, let’s just try to keep them green.

Building Momentum

As a fresh new year kicks off, full of opportunity, A/E/C companies are gearing up for a busy year. Apart from some amazing architectural exhibitions and record-setting building achievements capturing the attention of an industry recently, one big trend is picking up speed – ‘Green’ Building.

From EPA awareness efforts to green building blogs around the web, the topic of employing ‘greener’ standards in our building practices has taken center stage in a promising new initiative for the betterment of our planet.

Visions of Green

A growing number of enterprises, organizations and building firms have become enchanted by the progressive movement, yielding a promising upswing in the amount of resources and awareness on the internet and other media. Here’s a few of those we’ve noticed recently:

The U.S. Green Building Council: With its ambitious vision focusing on sustainability for buildings and communities, the USGBC anticipates it will contribute $554 billion to the U.S. GDP over a stretch from 2009 to 2013. With tons of resources and educational materials available on their website, and memberships reaching in the hundreds of thousands, USGBC remains a forerunner in the green building movement.

Construction Digital: Despite being first and foremost a construction industry magazine, the Construction Digital website offers a robust suite of resources. Among their offerings, a sub-section focused on green building standards, information and news stories offering fresh perspectives on the newest applications of eco-friendly architecture and construction practices.

GreenBuilding.com: From residential to commercial, greenbuilding.com offers a diverse, almost limitless array of tips, tools, resources and advice about green building. While energy efficiency (in both home and office) is a primary focus for the 30-year building industry veteran and website curator, David Johnston, he takes this invaluable resource above and beyond with myriad training opportunities, localized info guides (by state), and ideas that seek to carve out new frontiers in green building.

Participation Counts

Sure, we’ve only scratched the surface of what’s out there in terms of green building resources, and undoubtedly there will be more to come. The important takeaway from the trends we’re seeing in the building community is twofold:

Firstly, green standards and practices are increasingly imperative for building a sustainable community. Those employing cheaper, less eco-friendly operations are becoming the minority. Providing resources and awareness is a key implement toward progress.

Secondly, everyone must participate. Here at eTransmittal.com, we take pride in offering a software solution that provides greener alternatives for the vast array of file sharing operations that builders employ every day. We are doing our part, and we’d love to hear what you’re doing to jump on the big green bandwagon. We’ll be pointing out more outstanding places on the web as we strive to develop positive A/E/C community relationships, so contact us with your suggestions today!