100 Ways Commercial Real Estate is Going Green for Earth Day.

BOMA Releases 100 Strategies to Commemorate Earth Day, Obama's First 100 Days in Office

WASHINGTON -- The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International has issued "100 Days, 100 Ways," a list of tips and strategies to help property professionals make going green a priority on Earth Day and every day. With the office building industry accounting for nearly 20 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, BOMA has committed to making the commercial real estate industry sustainable and energy efficient. Just as BOMA is dedicated "greening" the industry, the Obama administration has pledged to make greening America a centerpiece of their agenda. With only one week separating Earth Day and the close of President Obama's first 100 days in office, BOMA released the list to commemorate a shared green vision with the new administration.

"These 100 straight-forward strategies for going green are critical tools any property professional can put to work today," said BOMA International Chair and Chief Elected Officer Richard D. Purtell, portfolio manager, Grubb & Ellis Management Services, Inc. "So much of what we do is focused on sustainability--whether it be our award-winning education programs, information sharing forums, advocacy or our programming at the BOMA International Conference and The Office Building Show. We look forward to working with the Obama administration and other public leaders as we continue to make energy efficiency and sustainability a priority throughout the built environment."

Here are just ten of the 100 ways commercial real estate professionals can green their operations this Earth Day:

1) Benchmark energy consumption through ENERGY STAR[R] Portfolio Manager

2) Harvest rainwater for landscaping

3) Institute a tenant energy awareness program

4) Convert inefficient lamps and ballasts to T8, T12 and T5 lamps

5) Add composting to landscape maintenance plan

6) Hold an e-waste day and collect old printers, computers and electronics for recycling 

7) Team clean building floor-by-floor to reduce electricity use

8) Install solar shades to block heat

9) Install bicycle racks in building for tenants who bike to work

10) Use low-VOC paints, sealants and adhesives for building improvements

See all 100 strategies.

BOMA received EPA's 2009 ENERGY STAR Award for Sustained Excellence, building on ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award wins in 2007 and 2008. BOMA was also awarded two 2009 Associations Advance America Awards from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) & The Center for Association Leadership, one for the BOMA Energy Efficiency Program and one for BOMA's 7-Point Challenge. For more information on BOMA International's green initiatives, visit www.boma.org/Resources/TheGREEN/Pages/default.aspx.

About BOMA International

Founded in 1907, the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International is an international federation of more than 100 local associations and affiliated organizations. The 18,000-plus members of BOMA International own or manage more than 9 billion square feet of commercial properties in North America and abroad. BOMA's mission is to enhance the human, intellectual and physical assets of the commercial real estate industry through advocacy, education, research, standards and information. On the Web at www.boma.org.