News
Boulder Associates sets precedent in Colorado with ceiling and flooring recycling efforts
4.25.05Boulder Associates, Inc., a 60-person architecture and interior design firm specializing in healthcare and senior living, announced that it has successfully recycled 10,500 s.f. of ceiling panels from their new office space on the third floor of the Citizen’s National Bank building at 1426 Pearl Street. They are the first company in Colorado to participate in the one-of-a-kind ceiling tile recycling program by Armstrong World Industries. Additionally, Boulder Associates has recycled 4.2 tons of carpeting from the building using Interface’s ReEntry® carpet reclamation service. The firm will install sustainable ceiling and carpet products in place of the materials that were recycled..
The recycling efforts were managed by Faurot Construction, Inc., the general contractor for Boulder Associates’ office renovation project, which is scheduled for completion in May.
“The process of constructing, renovating, and demolishing buildings accounts for more than 136 million tons of construction debris in the United States each year—most of which ends up in landfills,” said Kristi Ennis, AIA, Director of Sustainable Design for Boulder Associates. “There’s an additional environmental toll when new building materials are created from virgin resources rather than recycled materials. As more organizations recognize that it doesn’t have to be difficult or costly to choose sustainable options, the demand and opportunity for innovative programs like Armstrong’s ceiling and Interface’s flooring reclamation programs will continue to grow. We appreciate the opportunity to set this precedent in Colorado.”
Recycling Can Be Less Expensive Than Dumping
Since 1999, Armstrong has recycled more than 20 million s.f. of ceiling tile, including those of companies like Microsoft, Pfizer, General Motors, and the World Bank. The Interface ReEntry program began in 1995 and has reclaimed nearly 60 million pounds of carpet since that time. Participation in both programs is relatively simple and often actually costs less than throwing the material away due to the money saved on landfill and Dumpster fees. Interested companies can go http://www.armstrong.com/environmental information on recycling ceiling tiles and www.resource-americas.com for information on flooring reclamation.
Boulder Associates Continues Its Commitment to Sustainable Practices
Boulder Associates has long been committed to environmental stewardship, and this latest achievement is representative of the leadership role they have taken in the sustainability movement over the last several years. BAI was part of the team that designed the nation’s first LEED™ certified hospital—Boulder Community Foothills Hospital—and they have two other projects currently registered with the U.S. Green Building Council for LEED™ certification. BAI is also participating in the Green Guide for Health Care pilot program. The company has 20 LEED™ accredited professionals on staff, a nationally recognized sustainable design director, and a corporate culture that seeks out innovative and environmentally responsible business practices.
