Environmental planning comes in many forms. Sustainability Plans may look at the entire facility operations and provide methods for reducing a carbon footprint, increasing functionality, and creating a holistic vision for the company. A Recycling Plan or Waste Minimization Plan may be put into effect as part of a larger sustainability effort or as a stand-alone green effort. Sustainability or Recycling Plans are great ways to help the environment and bring in eco-friendly revenue. Plans such as these are beginning steps towards programs, such as the Green Lodging Program or Clean Marina Grants offered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).
NovelE supports concerns with protection of the environment and Federal, State and County resources, while facilitating growth and our client’s goals and core business missions. We work to minimize environmental impacts and eliminate ecological risk during environmental cleanup activities allowing projects to proceed within budget and on schedule. NovelE works to provide sustainable solutions for our personnel, clients and business partners through innovative management, design and implementation. Selecting subcontractors and vendors that reside in the community is one of the basic tenets of sustainable project management. Local vendors provide fast and easy support for projects within their community. Often mobilization or shipping charges can be eliminated providing a cumulative cost savings, which we pass along to our clients. Moral benefits include lowering the carbon footprint of the project and supporting better working conditions by buying American products. Leading by example, NovelE embraces the principles and practices of sustainability in our behavior and work products.
NovelE takes a multidisciplinary approach to design, breaking down limiting barriers and opening the project to out-of-the-box solutions. If criteria and constraints are evaluated properly, appropriate and specific solutions result. Criteria and constraints are evaluated at the system level and multi-dimensional in nature. Our solutions fit the need of the project and are designed specifically to fit that need. Relevant sources of information are consulted for every project, and questions appropriate to the problem statement are asked of relevant stakeholders. Key considerations include customer attributes, engineering characteristics and environmental design.
NovelE team members include geologists, engineers, subcontractors, subconsultants, and vendors with a strong background in environmental cleanup and restoration of project sites. For brainstorming sessions on new issues that arise, NovelE has the resources to reach out to compliance inspectors, geotechnical and civil engineers, water well and general contractors, etc. in order to achieve that multi-disciplinary idea generation. Alternatives are not limited during brainstorming to allow for open discussion and generation of as many ideas as possible. The atmosphere of the brainstorming sessions is set to minimize conceptual blocks and allow for the wildest of possible solutions. Evaluations are not limited at this point so that each idea builds upon another idea. Criticism is not be allowed and no restrictions are placed during the ideation stage so that team members are encouraged to present solutions and new ideas. In this way, NovelE encourages green engineering design and implementation for each project. The overall goal is to minimize the environmental impact of the cleanup activities at each stage of the project through modified life cycle assessment (LCA) or “cradle to grave” evaluations.
As a final note, NovelE selects facilities with green policies, for any required worker accommodations and/or periodic meetings. The Florida Green Lodging Program, for instance, provides an easy means to implement this strategy. FDEP has researched these accommodations and selected them for their sustainable practices. As of May 14, 2018, on the FDEP website you will find 414 Green Lodging properties ranging from small Mom & Pop establishments to your average every day chain hotel. Subcontractor, Subconsultants and vendors following a green and sustainable approach to operations will be selected for key partnership opportunities.
NovelE has obtained the Envision® credential for primary staff. Envision® is an infrastructure rating system developed to help designers, builders and infrastructure owners build and direct infrastructure projects toward increasing levels of sustainability.NovelE utilizes this certification to expand partnering opportunities and for sustainability and life cycle analysis (LCA) services to private and public clients. NovelE can submit your project for formal evaluation and Envision certification Institute of Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI). The benefits of this certification include long-term cost savings through energy-efficiency and resilient designs. See our Envision™ Sustainability Evaluations service section for additional information.
Sustainability and protection of the environment are core to the values and principles of NovelE. Our Corporate Sustainability Plan goals include key elements such as: 1) Innovative thinking and technology development will be fostered, creating new markets for company growth, while considering the environment, community, and economy. 2) Sustainable concepts will be incorporated into engineering design and management of in-house construction team. 3) Become a better steward of the environment. 4) Reduce waste; and 5) Create energy savings, leading to cost savings, and a lower carbon footprint for our company and affiliates. Key metrics included 100 percent recycling for all office products and a 20 percent increase in fuel efficiency across five years.
Our key message:
If you treat people with dignity, they will value their work product and take pride in their communities. NovelE strives to set the standard for consulting and engineering firms by encouraging community initiatives, donating to worthy non-profit organizations, and providing a sustainable, resilient environment in the areas that we touch. Our staff would be happy to discuss how your organization can be more sustainable.