Fifth Street Towers employs a number of programs and practices that prevent or minimize pollution at the source by reducing waste and improving efficiency. This approach not only makes environmental sense but also good business sense.

Recycling

Comprehensive recycling programs are available to all tenants. Over the past year, 126,720 pounds of paper and 9,360 pounds of aluminum, glass and plastic were recycled with no increase in operating costs. Recycling of office waste is conducted as follows:

• Office paper and cardboard are collected nightly from building-provided black receptacles at every desk and taken to a dedicated on-site trash compactor.
• Glass, plastic, and aluminum are collected nightly from building-provided blue receptacles which are usually located in break rooms. Collection is co-mingled and separation of the materials is done mechanically at the recycling center.
• Fifth Street Towers provides convenient collection of hazardous materials such as old computers, appliances, paints, batteries, cell phones and electronics which are properly disposed or recycled. Hazardous materials can be recycled by contacting the building management office or entering an on-line work order. There is a small fee for disposing of hazardous materials.

In addition, unused materials from the day-to-day operation of the building, hazardous or otherwise, including oil, motors, refrigerants (R12 and R22), cleaning solvents and lamps (fluorescent/HID/mercury vapor) are disposed or recycled in compliance with all applicable governmental regulations.

Finally, recycled products are used whenever possible. Restroom hand towels and toilet tissue meet EPA recycled content guidelines-no chlorine, inks, dyes, or fragrances are used. Even our client newsletter is printed on 10% post-consumer elemental chlorine free recycled paper.

Energy Star

Fifth Street Towers has achieved the Energy Star ( http://www.energystar.gov/ ) rating every year since 2004 when the building joined the program. Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. The Energy Star rating is achieved through the use of energy saving procedures such as:

• Automated energy management systems
• energy saving initiatives such as variable frequency fan motors that reduce energy load on the heating and cooling system
• efficient fluorescent building-standard lighting and LED exit lighting

Other Initiatives

Foaming hand soap is used in all restrooms. This soap is Green Seal-certified, contains no dyes or fragrances and is biodegradable. Even the soap containers are made of recyclable plastics. In addition, foaming hand soaps maximize effectiveness while reducing the amount used.

Indoor bicycle parking is offered exclusively to the tenants of Fifth Street Towers to encourage alternative transportation. Free permits can be applied for at the office of Imperial Parking (612.341.8000) in suite 360 of the 150 Tower.

Look for new measures to be implemented to further our efforts in reducing our carbon footprint!