ACEEE staff strongly believe in sustainability and daily activities are infused with a desire to leave a smaller carbon footprint. ACEEE focuses on the following areas in its commitment to workplace sustainability and includes this commitment in its strategic plan.
Office Build-Out
While typically handled through facility management, ACEEE took advantage of its 2008 relocation and subsequent build-outs to incorporate many energy-efficient components into its office design:
- Energy-efficient lighting and occupancy sensors (T8 and T5 lamps; color-adjustable LED lighting)
- Sidelights and clerestory windows
- ENERGY STAR-rated kitchen appliances
- Zero VOC paints
- Ceiling tiles 40% recycled content
- Carpet tiles contain recycled content and recyclable at end-of-life
- Non-carpeted flooring linoleum based, not vinyl based
Commuting
- All Washington, D.C. staff take advantage of transit benefits, commuting by train, bike, or foot. By commuting, ACEEE realizes a reduction of 198,396 vehicle miles traveled/year and a gas savings of 8,897 gallons of fuel annually.
Environmental Sustainability
- Eco-friendly office consumables (post-consumer content, biodegradable paper products/packaging; non-phosphate soaps; fair trade coffees/teas)
- Regularly recycle office products (paper, glass, aluminum, toner, cardboard)
Green Team Efforts
- Ongoing office campaign to increase energy-efficiency messaging and shape behavior
- Regularly revisit the sustainability of our operations
- Open dialogue with building engineers which provides insight to facility energy-efficient measures in place and provides an opportunity for ACEEE to share efficiency information as appropriate