Green Goes Mainstream

Do the Right Thing... Who do you think made the statement below -- an environmentalist, a religious leader or a politician?

"We pass this way only once; we can leave the earth better off or worse by our individual and collective actions. It's that simple. We can help or we can hurt the earth and future generations. Which will it be?"

None of the above. These words were spoken last week by
Ray Anderson, Chairman of Interface, one of the largest manufacturers of carpeting in the world at the 2006 Swinerton Green Building Summit in California.

A self-described "radical industrialist" and "recovering plunderer," Anderson spoke passionately about Interface's goal to leave "no footprints" by reducing waste, protecting wildlife and recycling. That's a huge challenge for a petro-intensive manufacturer with sales close to $1 billion.

But Anderson doesn't want you to live green just because "it's the right thing to do." He wants you to do it because it's good for business. It is NOT a cost of doing business.

For example, one of Interface's best-selling carpet tile products is called Entropy, which is patterned after the floor of a forest. So no two carpet tiles are exactly the same! Manufacturing produces less waste. Installation is easier. Maintenance is less expensive. And customers like the look, which mimics nature.

Want an example of green real estate? Check out the under-construction Bank of America Tower at One Bryant Park in New York City, which is striving to be "the first 'green' high-rise office building in the U.S." Extraordinarily efficient and absolutely gorgeous. Is it the future?

Spread the Word... Many thanks to Equity Office for sponsoring this week's Dispatch. If you would like to tell readers about your service, send me an e-mail.

-- Peter Pike