Energy costs are up, natural resources are becoming more scarce, and the environment is being affected by industrial impact and climate change. In an industry that involves large warehousing spaces, extensive packaging materials and high-volume shipping, The Jay Group chose to turn its attention to becoming a sustainable company sooner rather than later. What resulted was a corporate responsibility program that covers all aspects of our business — capital and operational projects alike.
Top-down commitment.
For our sustainability program to be more than just architectural plans and building materials, we knew that we would need total company buy-in. Our responsibility efforts began at the top, but we were quick to make them a part of our corporate philosophy. While we make sure that all employees are properly educated on our sustainability strategy, we know that a successful program, no matter how comprehensive, is dependent on execution.
Our fulfillment professionals select the right-size packaging for every shipped order, so material and shipping costs are reduced. Similarly, our transportation logistics experts look for ways to maximize pallet utilization and aggregate shipping, while our procurement professionals look for sustainable solutions whenever possible. Our facility-wide recycling program addresses the materials consumed in our warehouses as well as our office space. From all corners of our facility, the focus on sustainability can be felt.
A big building with a small environmental footprint.
When our new corporate headquarters was completed in 2007, it incorporated numerous advanced building techniques designed to increase our efficiencies and reduce our impact on the environment. Planned properly and executed well, our plan to go green shifted from being a liability to being an asset. Now operational costs are lower and waste is reduced, and the benefits are felt by The Jay Group and its clients alike. Some facility highlights include:
- Geothermal system — Also known as ground-source (cooled) heat pumps, this system is a heating and air-conditioning system that uses the Earth's ability to store heat — at a very stable temperature throughout the year — in the ground and water thermal masses. A geothermal heat pump uses that available heat in the winter and puts heat back into the ground in the summer.
- Motion-sensitive lighting — Because 75% of the warehouse is storage and has no activity over 95% of the time, warehouse lights are controlled by motion detectors. Ballasts also provide instant light activation, requiring no warm-up and reducing energy consumption. Occupancy sensors are also utilized in the office space of our headquarters.
- Daylighting — By drastically reducing perimeter wall offices, open floor plans were created to allow natural daylight to fill most of the workspaces. On sunny days, many spaces don't require artificial, energy-consuming lighting.
- Energy-Efficient Warehouse Lighting — We use high-bay, narrow-beam light fixtures to reduce wasted light. Our energy-efficient ballasts reduce consumption, while lamps provide a natural white light while reducing eye strain.
- Storm Water Management — Thirty percent of our property's 16 acres were designed as natural, green ground cover, which allows for water infiltration. The remaining runoff feeds large basins within the corporate park, where the water can evaporate.
- Energy-Efficient Glass — All of our windows are tinted and have low-e coating to minimize heat gain.
- Touchless Faucets and Towel Dispensers — Automatic faucets reduce water consumption by reducing waste, energy to heat hot water by moderating water temperature, as well as the spread of bacteria by reducing touchable surfaces. Automatic dispensers reduce wasted paper, use no energy (compared to hand dryers), and eliminate another touchable surface.
- Recycling Program — The Jay Group actively recycles aluminum, glass, paper, plastic and corrugated materials at all levels of company operation.