Brandywine Realty Trust

How green is our business? Below is a list of Green Business Program checklist actions we've taken to reduce our impact on the environment.

Energy » Lighting

Q: Arrange your workspaces to take advantage of areas with natural sunlight, and design for increased natural lighting when remodeling (workspace within 30' of natural light).
Q: Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents or LED lights. Use halogen lamps only for low wattage task and spot lighting.
Q: Replace magnetic ballasts with electronic ballasts and install T-8 or T-5 lamps.
Q: Use LED fixtures for all emergency/exit lighting.

Energy » General

Q: Conduct an informal internal energy audit of your facilities (assess and implement simple measures to reduce energy consumption).
Q: Have an outside firm conduct a formal energy audit of your facilities.

Energy » HVAC

Q: If appropriate, apply window film to reduce solar heat gain.
Q: Implement weatherizing policy and measures (I.e. weather stripping, caulking, sealing unused space, not heating/cooling unused space).
Q: Install an energy management system (EMS) for central air conditioning and heating systems.
Q: Institute and/or maintain a written maintenance program: Inspect permanent filters every 3 months and clean permanent filters with mild detergents when necessary (change replaceable filters every three months); check the entire system for coolant and air leaks, clogs, and obstructions of air intake and vents; keep the condenser coils free of dust and lint; keeps the evaporator coils free of excessive frost.
Q: Program HVAC system to reduce operations when building is unoccupied or use occupancy sensors to adjust set points.

Leadership and Education

Q: Designate a green office advocate or working committee.
Q: Actively encourage employees to adopt sustainable practices outside of work, and provide resources for doing so (such as discounted compact fluorescent (CF) light bulbs).
Q: Appoint management level sustainability officer.
Q: Assess and track your firm's/facility's (ies') Philadelphia region estimated baseline carbon footprint. (Use of the calculator provided by Pennsylvania Environmental Council is strongly encouraged; however, a member may assess its carbon footprint using the protocols identified below (see NOTE).)
Q: Distribute an external green e-newsletter on at least a quarterly basis.
Q: Establish and promote individual green pledge for employees.
Q: Host regular green awareness events within the company.
Q: Promote sustainability initiative and forthcoming changes, strategies, and objectives within company on a regular basis to raise consciousness and add transparency of the initiative.

Operations & Procurement » Facilities / Janitorial

Q: Buy toilet paper, tissues and paper towels that have 35%-100% post-consumer recycled content.
Q: Implement a "just in time" purchasing policy (inventory reduction purchasing) and a "first-in/first-out" chemical usage policy (using older chemicals first) to use old material first.
Q: Reduce or eliminate the use of chemical pesticides by implementing an integrated pest management (IPM) program which utilizes planting locations, pest resistant plants, proper irrigation and cultivation procedures, biological controls and less toxic pesticides to prevent pest harborage. If using a pest control contractor, specify IPM techniques in contract.
Q: Replace aerosols with non-aerosol alternatives (such as pump sprays for fresheners and cleaners).
Q: Use green cleaning techniques and products, including low-toxic, biodegradable cleaners, and properly dispose of expired materials.
Q: When replacing furniture, phase in low-VOC furniture.

Operations & Procurement » General Practices

Q: Choose vendors who can articulate sustainable practices.
Q: In order to improve indoor air quality, ban smoking from interior spaces and designate exterior smoking areas at least 25 feet from building entries, outdoor air intakes and operable windows, with cigarette butt disposal units.
Q: Maintain (and adhere to) a sustainable purchasing policy (Energy Star equipment and appliances; recycled content, biodegradable paper products; energy-efficient, lowmercury lamps; plastic products; food products; building/renovation materials). Consider and favor products that are recycleable at the end of their useful life.
Q: When possible, arrange to order goods from vendors who make deliveries of multiple items in a single delivery.

Operations & Procurement » Office

Q: Purchase copy, computer or fax paper, letterhead, envelopes and business cards with at least 35% post consumer recycled ontent.
Q: When purchasing new printers, buy ones with duplex capability.

Transportation » Commuter

Q: Have a bike kit for employees who may have bicycle emergencies or problems.
Q: Provide a commuter van or offer a shuttle service to and from bus, train and/or light rail stops; or be located within walking distance of transit stop.

Waste Reduction & Recycling » Policies

Q: Conduct a waste audit of your facilities.
Q: Make it easy for employees to recycle by placing clearly marked collection bins in convenient locations. Post signs and/or train employees regarding recycling policies and procedures in the office.

Waste Reduction & Recycling » Paper

Q: Encourage employees to read, highlight and comment on documents on the computer screen whenever possible.
Q: If your facility still has an old printer without duplex capability, use only for single page documents and ensure multi-page documents are printed on duplex printer.
Q: Maintain (and adhere to) a written policy of "green printing practices, including duplex printing, draft printing, and utilization of scrap paper.
Q: Purge your own mailing lists to eliminate duplication.
Q: Recycle (after full use/reuse) all paper products that your recycling vendor will accept.
Q: Recycle toner cartridges, cell phones and dry cell batteries.
Q: Recycle tyvek envelopes.
Q: Return labels from duplicate mailings and subscriptions requesting all but one be removed.
Q: Write "refused" on unwanted first class mail and return to sender.
Q: Write to or call senders requesting removal from mailing list to reduce junk mail.

Waste Reduction & Recycling » Food & Beverage

Q: In the lunch/break room, eliminate disposables (plastic utensils, coffee stirrers, paper towels) by using permanent ware (mugs, dishes, utensils, towels/rags, coffee filters, etc.)
Q: Recycle food and beverage containers (all glass, #1 & #2 plastic and aluminum containers).
Q: Supply water through a fountain, cooler or tap; eliminate bottled water.

Water Management » Interior

Q: Install low flow, self-closing faucets, either infrared or spring-loaded.
Q: Regularly check for and repair all leaks in your facility (toilet leaks can be detected in tank toilets with leak detecting tablets. Train your staff to monitor and respond immediately to leaking equipment.
Q: Understand your water bill and review it monthly for indications of leaks, spikes or other problems.

Water Management » Exterior

Q: Institute policy not to wash cars in business parking lot. Only wash cars at a designated car wash.
Q: Regularly check and maintain storm drain openings and basins that are located on your property. Keep litter, debris and soil away from storm drains.