The September Top Partner Solutions are here! Check out the lineup of real-world, replicable solutions across various sectors to see how partners are saving energy, reducing emissions, improving waste management, and more.
University of Virginia Sustainable Labs Program Reduces Energy Use, Emissions
The University of Virginia operates more than 560 buildings spanning 18 million square feet, one million of which is dedicated to scientific research with labs that are responsible for one-third of the university's total energy consumption. To reach its carbon neutrality and fossil fuel reduction goals, the university implemented a Sustainable Labs Program which decreased CO₂ emissions and energy use by 22% in Fiscal Year 2023, resulting in $930,000 in energy savings. Read more.
American Hotel and Lodging Association’s Hotel Kitchen Toolkit for Managing Food Waste
To help the hospitality sector reduce food waste, American Hotel and Lodging Association partnered with the World Wildlife Fund to release the free Hotel Kitchen toolkit. The toolkit includes in-depth guidance to strategically reduce hotel food waste through a series of training videos and food waste audit guides, resulting in 10-38% reduction in food waste in just 12 weeks. Read more.
Link Logistics works with Community Solar Program to Generate Energy Savings
As part of its renewable energy and net zero pledges, Link Logistics worked with a community solar program to install a large-capacity solar system at its 6695 Business Parkway property. Given the low energy demands of the facility, the partnership enables Link Logistics to generate revenue from the lease of the roof without being affected by net-metering limits. Read more.
The Schochet Companies’ Integration of Sustainability Planning into Annual Budget Process
The Schochet Companies launched a comprehensive Sustainability Initiative that transformed the company’s approach to energy and water retrofit planning. By setting regular portfolio-wide sustainability targets and involving on-the-ground-staff in the process, Schochet’s projects are more cost-effective and have avoided an estimated $1.67 million in energy costs per year. Read more.
City of Chula Vista’s FREE Resources & Energy Business Evaluation Program
As part of City of Chula Vista’s Climate Protection Program, it established the FREE Resource & Energy Business Evaluation Program to encourage and assist 12,000 local businesses in improving energy and water efficiency. As of 2017, over 5,700 free business evaluations have been conducted with more than 50% of participating businesses implementing at least one energy saving strategy. Read more.
Trane Technologies Eliminates Emissions from Tracer Gas Losses
Trane Technologies’ Clarksville plant traditionally used a high global warming potential refrigerant as a tracer gas to test for leaks in the HVAC units it manufactures. To eliminate fugitive emissions associated with the refrigerant, Trane shifted to a different industrial gas mixture, resulting in 34% annual emissions reduction and an energy cost savings of $14,000 annually. Read more.
NYCEEC Partners to Create Green Predevelopment Loan for Energy Efficiency and Electrification
In collaboration with other local organizations, Financial Ally New York City Energy Efficiency Corporation (NYCEEC) offered St. Francis Friends of the Poor a $90,000 zero-interest loan to renovate three affordable housing buildings. This funding enabled pre-development work necessary to evaluate energy efficiency and electrification measures that reduced energy consumption by 35% annually. Read more.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Saves Water at Erie Medical Center
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs saw an opportunity to reduce water use at its Erie Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The department replaced outdated water-cooled condensing units with air-cooled units, enabling 55% monthly water savings and saving more than 8,000,000 gallons in the first year of operation. Read more.