The Sustainability Roundtable, Inc. (SR Inc.), the for-profit, shared cost research and consulting firm convened well over 100 industry leaders of corporate/commercial real estate executives and sustainability professionals who represented over 60 member-client organizations at SR Inc.’s Third Annual Summit entitled, “The Change Driving Sustainability” on November 30^th and December 1^st at the St. Regis Hotel in Washington D.C.

The invitation only two-day event will featured: sustainability excellence award winners; presentations and case studies of SR Inc.’s 2011 Research Program; panel discussions with Federal agency representatives; and, facilitated sessions to develop SR Inc.’s 2012 Research Program.

Management Best Practice Sessions included:

Portfolio-wide Sustainability Strategies: What strategies do Real Estate Executives use to resource and create sustainable value. (Includes Innovative Finance for Energy Efficiency)

Benchmarking Sustainability: What sustainability KPIs should Leaders adopt and what are the relevant performance benchmarks.

Sustainable Leased Space: How Leaders move to more sustainable leased space? How Tenants and Landlords systematically implement green leases and what provisions in RFPs, LOIs and Leases are used.

Alternative Workplace Strategies: What AWS strategies are successfully adopted to increase productivity and how can landlord’s best respond.

Working with the Federal Government: What are the best sustainability resources available within the Federal Government and how can Real Estate Executives partner with them.

In addition to sessions and panel discussions, SR Inc. honored Award Winners announced at the Summit Dinner:

• SAP: SRER Outstanding Corporate Leader 2011
• USAA Real Estate Company: SRER Outstanding Landlord 2011
• Suzanne Cooper, Director, Real Estate USA and Canada, Cisco: SRER Outstanding Corporate Executive 2011
• Brandywine Realty Trust:  SRER Emerging Leader Landlord 2011
• Kevin Kampschroer, Director, Office of High-Performance Green Buildings, U.S. General Services Administration: SRER Outstanding Public Sector Leader 2011

The collaboration of SR Inc.’s member-clients supported by SR Inc.’s analysts, researchers, consultants and advisors is rapidly driving the real estate industry toward greater sustainability with breakthrough management best practices about ‘what works’ to apply the principles of sustainable real estate strategies across a portfolio that reduce operating expenses/occupancy costs; enhance enterprise/asset value; and align with organizations’ commitment to the environment.

If you would like to learn more about SR Inc.’s Annual Summit III or how SR Inc.’s resources and implementation guidance could help you drive your organization closer to sustainability, contact SR Inc.’s Larry Simpson, Executive Vice President – Advisory Services at larrysimpson@sustainround.com.

Traditionally, real estate professionals pick the low hanging fruit of energy efficiency and the growing challenges of water conservation. But, more recently, corporate/commercial real estate executives who want to develop and execute a comprehensive sustainability strategy address the third leg of the sustainability stool – waste reduction.

Progressive professionals are asking:

What are the practical ways to reduce waste hauling, disposal and necessary onsite equipment?

How can my organization maximize available recycling rebates?

What are the benefits and challenges of single stream recycling?

The Sustainability Roundtable, Inc. (SR Inc.) has researched answers to these and many of the aspects of this important issue in its recently released a briefing entitled, “Reducing Waste and Increasing Diversion.”

SR Inc.’s briefing provides an overview of waste reduction and recycling strategies, and highlights best practices that reduce the volume of waste entering the waste stream, improve diversion rates, increase operational efficiency, engage employees, lower operating costs, and enhance brand and reputation.

Leading companies implement comprehensive waste reduction and recycling programs across their portfolios of leased and owned facilities to:

• Reduce the cost of transportation and disposal, fees and fines.
• Reduced waste sent to landfills reduces GHG emissions.
• Accrue points toward LEED and BREEAM certification.
• Stimulate building occupant interest in recycling that drive behavior toward greater sustainability.
• Galvanize occupants into entrepreneurial roles that improve operations and distinguish leaders.
• Drive value-adding sustainability initiatives such as composting and sustainable materials purchasing programs.
• Elevate “green” status and enhance enterprise brand/reputation.

SR Inc.’s briefing features case studies from clients EMC, IBM, NetApp, as well as British Land, PepsiCo, Walmart, Intel, Accor, Triple Five Group, and Lend Lease.

The key strategic recommendations in the briefing encourage leaders to:

• Institute purchasing programs that prioritize vendors who minimize the material that enter the company’s waste stream and buy only items that can be reused, recycled, or composted.
• Engage engineers, “Green Teams”, EH&S personnel, consultants and vendors to explore ways to reduce waste.
• Educate stakeholders and seek employee input to design and evaluate recycling programs that will increase employee compliance.
• Implement a portfolio-wide recycling and reuse plan for paper, cardboard, plastics, wood, and metals – tailor the program to accommodate the unique waste, if any, of the business.
• Avoid commingled plastics or contaminated paper products that are not easily recyclable.
• Sell waste in bulk to generate revenue repurpose waste within company operations.
• Avoid incineration except for waste-to-energy.
• Publicize program successes to maximize the value of the initiative.
• Reintegrate savings into programs and amenities for building occupants, who appreciate seeing their recycling efforts pay off.

To receive a copy SR Inc.’s “Reducing Waste and Increasing Diversion” or to learn more about how SR Inc. can help you and your organization develop and execute a comprehensive sustainability strategy, contact SR Inc.’s Larry Simpson, Executive Vice President of Advisory Services, at larrysimpson@sustainround.com.