Smith & Associates Unveils Innovative Trade Floor Green Renovation in Time for Earth Day
Smith’s “Thinking Green” initiative incorporates sustainable concepts into trade floor renovation and floor plan.
In recognition of Earth Day, Smith & Associates announced the results of its Level Two Green Initiative: Thinking Green. This initiative is part of Smith’s larger commitment to sustainability, and is focused on the use of sustainable furniture, appliances, paints, and lighting fixtures in the renovation of its trading floor.
Over the past five years, Smith has continued to expand its well-recognized sustainability efforts. In 2008, Smith unveiled an intensified commitment to becoming fully sustainable and carbon-neutral. Since then, the company has achieved milestones in areas such as electricity conservation, recycling, waste diversion, zero-landfill goals, water conservation, earth-friendly packaging, and sustainable transportation. In 2011, Smith was named an “e-Stewards Enterprise” by the Basel Action for its contributions to confronting global environmental injustices and to actively improving the economic inefficiency of toxic wastes, products, and technologies.
Also in 2011, Smith started its “Greenovation,” a major renovation of its Houston headquarters with an environmentally based, energy-efficient focus. These efforts culminated in Smith being named the 2012 winner of the first-ever Greatest Implementation of Green Building Innovations award for the city of Houston, Texas. This highest honor, awarded by Houston’s groundbreaking Green Office Challenge program, recognizes Smith & Associates for its ongoing efforts to become fully sustainable and carbon-neutral in its campuses and operations at home and around the world.
The second phase of Smith's sustainability efforts completed during the first quarter of 2013 included a renovation of the trading floor. Among the latest sustainable implementations to Smith's Houston headquarters are the following:
- Low Flow toilets and automatic shut off faucets
- Energy Star dishwashers and refrigerators
- Low VOC paints
- Low VOC, recyclable and recycled content in ceiling tiles
- Recyclable and recycled content in carpets
- Chlorine-, halogen-, phthalates-free vinyl wall-covering with recycled content and water based inks in restroom facilities
- Access to daylight and views with open plan concept
- Energy efficient standard light fixtures with option to convert to LED technology in future
“Over the past five years we have established our continued dedication to operating in a sustainable manner; one that conserves and sustains the earth’s resources,” said Art Figueroa, Smith's Environmental Director. “Our employees enjoy working in a sustainable environment and knowing that the materials used in our buildings support a non-toxic work place. Likewise, our customers can rest easy knowing that working with Smith means supporting earth-friendly practices such as reduced landfills and transportation waste.”
Smith's history of commitment to sustainability began in 2008 with the public announcement of its efforts to improve business practices in environmentally aware manners. Following that announcement, Smith's dedication to sustainability management has been marked by accolades from the Basel Action in 2011 and then by the City of Houston's Green Office Challenge in 2012.
In 2012 Smith expanded its asset disposition service offerings for Smith customers worldwide to support the data-secure, economically sound, and environmentally aware repurposing, recycling, and/or destruction of used equipment and components. Smith offers “E-Waste Days” for businesses and office properties in Houston and other areas to safely and securely recycle electronics in an environmentally responsible manner. At its headquarters office, Smith maintains an employee directed green team, free electronic vehicles (EV)s for use by employees of the month, and solar powered electricity and water heating. The next phase of Smith’s corporate sustainability campaign includes an ongoing “greenovation” of Smith’s international offices, including its offices in Europe and Asia.
“This Earth Day we celebrate five years of success in implementing green practices on so many levels,” said Art Figueroa. “When we first started this effort, we couldn’t have imagined how far we would come by doing our part and implementing sustainable business practices. We are very motivated to see what we can accomplish in the next five years.”
For more information on Smith and Associates’ green initiatives, please click here.