C.E. Floyd Company learned today it was the first company in Massachusetts, and only one of four nationally, to earn the ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors) Certified Green Contractor label. The Bedford-based general contractor and construction manager, who volunteered to participate in the pilot program, turned in an application detailing the company's sustainable practices in the office and on job sites, then submitted to a third party audit to confirm the information in the application. The Certified Green Contractor program is designed to recognize construction companies that implement green practices and principals at their workplace environments, including their headquarters, branch offices and jobsite offices.
"The ABC Green Contractor Certification program demonstrates that our members are leading the construction community by establishing a sustainable workplace environment - both on and off the jobsite," said Brewster Earle, ABC National Green Building Committee chairman.
The Green Contractor Certification process involves a list of 12 prerequisites ranging from distributing documents electronically to establishing an aggressive recycling program. Companies are also required to fulfill 12 of 36 elective items that include using motion sensor lighting, water conservation efforts, and diverting 50% of construction waste from landfills. In addition, each company must achieve four education and training benchmarks, such as instructing employees on sustainable issues and requiring at least 50 percent of managers to receive green building awareness education.
"The C.E. Floyd Sustainability Training Program was developed in response to interest from many of our employees. We provided a great opportunity for knowledge sharing to develop our sustainability policies and Electronic Project Management Processes," said Chris Floyd, LEED AP, who helped spearhead the Certification. 73% of C.E. Floyd's executives, superintendents, project management staff and estimators completed at least eight hours of training encompassing LEED, green building systems, on-site waste separation and the importance of being "green".
C.E. Floyd Company employees follow the company's Sustainability Policy Book in their daily activities. Some of the initiatives include employing electronic estimating and project management processes, developing project specific waste recycling plans to improve recycling rates, recycling paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, aluminum, etc., using washable tableware and silverware, recycling or donating old electronics and reusing office supplies that are in good condition.
"C.E. Floyd is to be commended on being the first general contractor in New England to achieve their Green Contractor Certification," said Greg Beeman, President of ABC's Massachusetts Chapter. "Each and every employee recognized that being green takes a team effort and we are fortunate C.E. Floyd has forged a higher standard for our industry."