After nearly four months of meetings and hard work, the Collin County Association of Realtors (CCAR) has earned the Green Business Certification from the City of Plano. Their building on Coit Road has received several improvements and new policies have been inacted to insure that the organization holds to the standards set by the city.
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Bob McCranie & Charles Dyer |
There are many steps which had to be accomplished to be certified green. Everything from energy usage, water usage, landscaping needs, kitchen ware, interior lighting, appliances, and electronics are reviewed and inspected. In early November of 2012, Mary Leidy, CEO of CCAR, contacted me about earning this Certification. She had been contacted by Paul Le Roy from the City of Plano to find out our interest in earning the certification. Mary remembered that three years ago I was instrumental in the first green initatives at CCAR and earned the NAR EverGreen Award in 2010 in part for those efforts. It seemed natural to move forward with this program. I jumped at this chance without a second thought. I went to see Mary in December and just by happenstance, Paul called the office while I was there and we cemented our intentions to move forward with this certification. Mary appointed Charles Dyer with CCAR to head up the efforts for staff, and he and Paul and I jumped into the process. The 7 page spreadsheet of requirements for the program was daunting. But like any project we broke it down into small pieces. CCAR has reduced it's electrical usage by installing new light fixtures throughout the building. I got three Solatubes installed from Daylight Rangers and brought them into meet the Plano City staff so they could connect and share business ideas. |
We already had plumbing fixtures that met code but we had to upgrade our window screening, get rid of Styrofoam cups, bring in reusable silver and plates, remove plastic bags, post recycling policies, encourage use of public transportation and, my favorite, install two hybrid/electric vehicle parking spots.
The City used our building recently for their Green Certification meeting to show prospective applicants how it can be done.
Hybrid Electric Parking. We wanted an electric charging station but they were very expensive.
Paper Cups instead of Styrofoam
Two of the three Solatubes from Daylight Rangers and new T8 Fluorescent fixtures in every room. Over 85 light fixtures changed.
Paper bags for products and recycled boxes for shipping.
Recycling in every room
We purchase used furniture and donate our used items to local charities.
LED Exit signs through out.
Programmable Thermostats.
Large Recycle Dumpster
Filtered Water instead of plastic bottles
Our toliets and urinals are also compliant.
Simple reminders to turn off lights and not waste water.
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