Vornado Realty Trust announced that theMART has achieved the USGBC’s LEED certification at the Gold Level. This accomplishment marks the third LEED Certification for theMART, having first attained the prestigious LEED designation in 2007 and re-certification in 2013.
theMART’s sustainability program began over 15 years ago with energy efficiency retrofits and sound energy management. These programs have resulted in over $1 million of annual cost savings and 23 percent of total energy savings for the building. The building’s energy efficiency is a key contributor to the reduction of theMART’s carbon footprint, eliminating 14,500 metric tons of annual CO2 emissions which is equivalent to removing 2,400 passenger cars from roadways annually.
The 4-million-square-foot building recently expanded its promotion of carbon-free commuting with the installation of over 350 bicycle storage racks in an area where parking for 20 cars once existed. Also contributing to LEED certification for theMART is its 7,200-square-foot recycling facility, where staff pre-sorts and weighs all waste before it leaves the building, resulting in 3,245 tons of the building’s waste stream being recycled last year.
A building-wide composting program exceeds 100 tons of compostable waste each year. Building Maintenance Services, LLC, theMART’s janitorial service provider, facilitates the success of the recycling program and employs green cleaning services that promote healthy indoor air quality through responsible cleaning product selection.
“theMART has a long history with LEED and a close partnership with the USGBC, and we are very proud to maintain our Gold certification status,” said Myron Maurer, chief operating officer at theMART. “Like the LEED program, theMART continues to evolve and further its sustainable mission. LEED is a widely respected seal of approval among our tenant partners and the real estate community.”
theMART also recently became the largest building to date to achieve a Fitwel certification, earning a 2 Star Rating. The Fitwel Certification System is the leading global health certification that optimizes buildings to support the physical, mental and social health of its occupants.
