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Citi Gets LEED Gold for NYC Tower

Citi has earned a LEED-Gold designation for its new 15-story skyscraper at Two Court Square, Queens, New York. The office tower houses 1,500 employees. Citi has committed to achieving environmental certification globally (LEED in the United States) for the construction of all new office buildings and operations centers and evaluation of existing larger facilities. This is a critical part of Citi’s pledge to embed eco-friendly practices into its everyday business and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by 10% by 2011 at its more than 14,500 facilities worldwide. Citi also expects to open LEED-certified retail branches in 2007. The building’s green features include: – Purchase of certified green wind power that will provide 100% of the building’s energy load for the next five years. – high-performance window glazing; energy-efficient lighting and air-conditioning systems; lighting controls; and office occupancy sensors. – Workstations, carpeting and furniture made from recycled materials and/or through sustainable manufacturing processes. – Views to the outside for 90% of cubicles, offices and conference rooms. – Approximately 90% (4,590 tons) of structural steel contains post-consumer recycled content. – Efficient plumbing fixtures and a storm-water recycling system that captures rain water in a retention tank for use in cooling towers and for all […]

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A123Systems Receives $30M

A123Systems, developer and producer of patent-pending Nanophosphate” lithium ion batteries, today announced it has completed a $30 million round of funding, bringing the total capital invested in the company to $132 million. A123Systems will use the funds to increase production capacity for new contract awards for hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric and extended range electric vehicle design wins with major automakers including a contract to co-develop proprietary cells for the GM E-FLEX program. A123Systems continues to expand its fast growing power tool battery business with Black & Decker Corporation, the world’s largest manufacturer of cordless tools, where the company is helping drive the transition from nickel technology to doped Nanophosphate lithium ion technology. A123Systems recently opened a state-of-the-art manufacturing site for the company’s Automotive Class Lithium Ion batteries. The site is designed for large scale handling of nano-materials, advanced particle control equipment and clean room environments needed to support the stringent manufacturing and quality requirements of the automotive market. Said David Vieau, CEO and president, “We have vertically integrated production from key raw materials to finished cells, incorporating best practices at every level to deliver high quality products with superior performance.” Investors in the company include General Electric, Procter & […]

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Used Cardboard? Who Knew?

Who would think a company that reuses cardboard boxes could be profitable? Los Angeles-based UsedCardboardBoxes.com is proving that reuse has better economics and environmental advantages than does recycling. Founder Marty Metro, a former .com executive, was forced to look for work after the industry went bust. Now he’s becoming the leader in the used cardboard box business! What started as a neighborhood-scale pilot is now being rolled out across the U.S. Quality control and customer service are keys to the business, which rescues quality used, new overrun and misprinted boxes from manufacturers, distributors and retailers. The combination of better prices for comparable quality and environmental consciousness are allowing Metro to expand in both retail and wholesale markets. The company provides a Web-based service for households and businesses to search inventory and order the boxes they need. By matching supply with demand using specific kits designed for small and large users, the company is growing rapidly and will soon have distribution centers in Seattle, Denver, Chicago, Philadelphia and New Orleans to complement its initial Los Angeles facility. Moving kits include tape, markers and packing material as well as used boxes. A moving kit for a studio apartment costs $39; one for […]

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