Page 35 - Green Builder July-August 2017 Issue

2017

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ECO LEADERS

CREDIT: MIRON CONSTRUCTION CO.

The writing’s on the wall. And in this case, it’s a very good thing.
Miron Construction Co.’s corporate culture on sustainability is
clearly spelled out for everyone to see and learn from every day.
developed to recognize a company’s dedication to sustainability.
According to the association, each member is required to meet a
level of eco-sustainability in all of their products. This can be dem-
onstrated in various ways, from products such as Ardosolar System
by Ardogres, which converts sunlight to electric power for high-tech
ceramic slate roof coverings, to Lea Ceramiche’s Waterfall tile with
near-permanent Microban antimicrobial technology integrated into
the product during manufacturing.
CREDIT: CERAMICS OF ITALY entire lifecycle,” the association notes. “Therefore, it becomes essen-
“Porcelain tiles have the lowest environmental impact over their

tial for each tile collection to lead in green technology.”

Strength in numbers. Tile association Ceramics of Italy gets its Miron Construction Co.
A reminder a day keeps eco-friendly status in play.
green word out through its 150 member companies, which stress Sustainability is a big deal. The almost century-old Miron Construc-
the product’s natural green attributes and genuine Environment
Product Declaration status. tion Co. likes to remind employees of that fact, and they don’t seem
15 are Energy Star certified, the company reports. to mind. The Neenah, Wisc.-based builder displays “the triple bottom
Additional enviro-friendly features are tailored to specific apart- line” of “people, planet and payback” prominently in its offices. It
ment complexes. The recently opened AMLI Deerfield site includes also emphasizes the practice through education, corporate culture
bike storage, electric car charging stations, easy public transit access, and practical construction solutions.
and AMLI Breatheasy smoke-free community status. There’s even a One way is via the company’s participation in the national “Cool
resident garden. Renters are treated to visits by professional garden- Choices” program, a fun, social and easy online platform that en-
ers who educate them on how to eat healthier. They also provide courages employees to make choices that embrace sustainability, ac-
bi-weekly harvests for renters to enjoy. cording to Theresa Lehman, Miron’s director of sustainable services.
Education is a key to the company’s success, according to AMLI Miron piloted the program in 2010 and 2011, and created a card
Senior Vice President of Development Jennifer Wolf. “Residents feel game modeled after the LEED rating system. Participants get points
comfortable knowing that they live in an apartment community for making “cool choices”—actions that save money and help the
that reflects their lifestyle and values of being environmentally con- environment. The game has since become tech-friendly in an easy-to-
scious,” she says. “We’re always looking for innovative and engaging use app. “The intent is to get people excited and interested in making
ways to educate our residents on the importance of green living.” personal, sustainable choices and experience the triple-bottom-line
benefits that enhance their health and well-being, reduce energy
Ceramics of Italy use in their home and vehicles, and minimize environmental im-
This tile product is all natural and all green, all the time. pacts,” Lehman says. The company recently completed another run
Don’t be fooled by the name. Ceramics of Italy, an association of through the Cool Choices program; this one showcased the connec-
150 tile manufacturers and sanitaryware companies, includes an tion between personal health and building design. It also encouraged
American presence. Each of them also carries Environment Product employees to participate in daily sustainable, cost-reducing practices
Declaration status, a tile industry designation that the association at home and in the workplace. GB

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