Office Expansion: AET Group has nearly completed their office expansion with numerous sustainable features. The addition is all to LEED standards, built with reclaimed lumber and masonry materials and has the entre envelope of framing using soy-based foam insulation. There is also zoned heating and cooling so that only occupied spaces are heated or cooled. There is a 2ft overhand around the building that acts as shading during the summer and an entrance for sunlight in the windows during the winter months. Fixtures in the building are all low flow and no bottled water is used, instead there is UV filtered water.
Project ‘Plant a Tree’: As part of Project Plant a Tree, AET Group partnered with Wilfrid Laurier University and Forest Ontario to plant 572 trees (50 of these trees were planted on WLU campus).
Improved Office Space: AET Group acquired a new building that has many sustainable features such as glass walls, skylights, a living wall and LED lighting. The electricity for their current office space is 100% Bull Frog powered, and has been retrofitted to have LED lighting.
Sustainable Vehicles: All fleet vehicles have been upgraded to more efficient ecoboost vehicles. Two of the main field trucks have been improved by incorporating braking technology that turns the motor off when brakes are applied.
Improved Water Management: Collaborating with Reep Green Solutions, AET installed a fore-bay, a bio-swale, and created a rain garden.
AET Case Study
Annual Sustainability Challenge: AET undertook its 1st Annual Sustainability Challenge. This challenge ran for one month from September to October and aimed to encourage employee engagement and promote the idea of sustainable living being incorporated into daily lives. AET Employees were required to undergo and report on a list of sustainable actions that they took daily. AET experienced immense employee participation on this initiative with 95% of their workforce taking part in the challenge.
Stormwater Management: Created a strong stormwater management policy in order to reduce their impact on local water resources. This policy entailed the construction of a forebay, bioswale and a raingarden, which was funded through receiving the 2015 REEP Demonstration Project Grant.
2015 Most Active Member Award: For the second year in a row, AET has been the recipient of the Most Active Member Award. This award recognizes the most active and involved member in the (RCI/WRSI) in 2015. This award goes to AET due to its enthusiastic participation in programs, attendance at events and sharing of best practices.
2015 Carbon Cleanse Winner: AET was an active participant in the 30-day carbon challenge and was one of four organizations to max out their scores. As a result, AET tied for first and won the Carbon Trophy!
Winter edition of AET”s edition quarterly newsletter: Winter 2016 Newsletter
Project ‘Plant a Tree’: AET is committing a percentage of their annual profits to planting trees through partnerships with the Grand River Conservation Authority. These trees are donated as part of AET’s commitment to the community and the environment.
Energy Audit: Recently conducted an energy audit of work facilities to improve energy efficiency. This lead to lighting fixture upgrades as well as doors, windows and the furnace being replaced for more energy effective models.
Sustainability Culture at AET Group Inc.
Green Team: Members of AET’s Green Team have a passion for the environment, and they lead by example by practicing what they preach in their daily lives. The Green Team members are idea generators, and have been responsible for putting out innovative ideas. Some of the team’s greatest successes in 2013 include:
- The naturalization of AET’s outside front garden with native plants, and the installation of a rain barrel
- The implementation of a re-use cloth hand towel system in washrooms
- Involvement in design, features to be included in our new office addition
Launch of Official Telecommuting Policy: Reviewing and evaluating ways to cut back on employee commuting emissions through a work from home project, car pool program and route planning software package. This program is estimating a 10% reduction in annual CO2 equivalents.
Expansion of Fuel Efficient Fleet Vehicles: Purchased a 4 Cylinder EcoBoost Escape and a 6 cylinder EcoBoost pickup truck.
Waste Diversion: Educated staff on proper recycling/composting procedures and energy reduction/conservation measures. Also reduced waste production and energy consumption by using single serve coffee makers with a reusable filter.
Office Improvements: Re-insulated basement and replaced windows with energy star rating. Also allowed more staff to work from home reducing travel emissions and power usage at work.
