Corporate Sustainability

A.R.E. renovated the interior space of an existing office building. The space does not hold any certifications, but it does incorporate sustainable elements:

• The site is close to some essential services, and employees can walk from the office to lunch, banks, drycleaning, a grocery store, a drugstore, and other errands.

• Shortly after A.R.E.'s move, the office building's condo association invested in an energy-efficient HCAV system.

• Motion sensors in the restrooms are tied to automatic lighting controls.

 • Picture windows enable many staff members to illuminate their offices solely through natural light, weather permitting. A.R.E. installed glass panels on interior office walls to allow daylight to filter into the interior cubicle space.

• In offices, windows enable views to the outdoors. One office with a view was set aside as a break room so that employees who work in cubicles would have access to an outdoor view at least during lunch and breaks. Small birds occasionally flit in the tree just outside the break room window.

• Shade trees integrated into the parking lot area accommodate squirrels and other wildlife.

• A.R.E. is working with the building's condo association and facility management to integrate green practices into the operations and maintenance of the building.

A.R.E. is a member of

• Our recycling program was recently expanded to include paper, plastic, metal and glass.

• A.R.E. employees minimize the use of paper for internal needs by using electronic documents whenever feasible and printing on both sides of paper when they do print. For general office use, A.R.E. uses Green Seal-certified printer/copier paper containing 35% post-consumer recycled content.

• A.R.E. employees save energy by shutting off most electronics when they leave for the day.

• Telecommuting, a viable option for some employee positions, reduces the burning of fossil fuels.

• A.R.E. recycles its used printer cartridges and e-waste.

• A.R.E.'s website is maintained via cloud computing.

• Retail Environments magazine, the body of our Buyers' Guide and Membership Directory, and other publications are printed on 30% post-consumer waste fiber that carries third-party certifications, is processed elemental chlorine-free, and is manufactured using renewable energy. In addition, the magazine is available digitally, while A.R.E.'s Supplier Connect enables buyers to access member information electronically.

• Alternate delivery methods of education: A.R.E. University uses vehicles such as webinars for some educational programs.

• Catering alternatives: For on-site events, A.R.E. works with catering staff to exclude the use of water bottles and other disposables.

• Site selection: For on-site events, A.R.E. considers central, easily accessible locations and/or the use of green buildings when feasible.

• Event materials: A.R.E. has worked to reduce printed program materials while meeting attendees' needs. Many materials are provided electronically.