| |
By Beth Howell
 For many years the only time the
word ‘environment' came up in a discussion about business, it was in terms of
the ‘business environment' or the ‘corporate environment.' Now, however, the
actual environment is in play. Companies are considering their effect on the
environment, governments are legislating environmental impact, and businesses
are becoming increasingly aware that there are environmentally-friendly
alternatives to business as usual. No matter what type of industry is being
discussed, it is more than likely that the word ‘environment' is having an
impact on corporate goals and practices.
EBSCO Publishing provides access to
information for corporations, colleges and universities, libraries, hospitals and
medical institutions, government agencies and schools around the globe. The
Massachusetts-based company has deemed environmental stewardship an essential
component of its core values. From the company's facilities, most notably its
headquarters - a sprawling, campus-like setting in Ipswich, Massachusetts - to
its fleet of cars, the company has chosen environmentally-friendly options that
are as small as changing light bulbs and as large as installing solar electric
systems.
Creating
a Green Team
The changes put in place did not
come from the top down as an edict, but rather as a series of initiatives from
within; employees, managers, facilities managers, and executives coming
together to answer the simple question, ‘What can we do?' EBSCO Publishing created a Green Team, a group of employees who
meet regularly to discuss every suggestion or possibility.
Simple ideas, such as improving its
recycling programme or improving the efficiency of the light bulbs through the
buildings, were instituted immediately. For example, the company recycles
cardboard, mixed paper (magazines and newspapers), plastic bottles and cans,
and promotes the use of recycled paper throughout the company. Other small
decisions that can make a big difference include using timers and motion or
sound sensors that shut off lights when rooms are unoccupied, installing ‘Vending
Misers' on vending machines and coolers to control the flow of electricity and
help reduce energy consumption.
Involving
employees
The company's location along a
major commuter rail line helped encourage a Commuter Rail reimbursement programme
which is available for employees using public transportation. The programme
reimburses monthly Commuter Rail passes up to $200 and costs the company about
$40,000 annually. It also cuts down on traffic in the small New
England town and helps maintain parking availability.
EBSCO created branded EBSCO water
bottles, travel mugs and reusable grocery bags. All employees and new hires
have been given these items with the goal to reduce the use of disposable
products. Ongoing employee education and green messaging help to remind people
that using non-disposable materials can lay the groundwork for the future and
that simple decisions made today have ramifications for tomorrow and beyond.
Additional programmes bring in experts to speak to employees about healthy
landscaping, green cleaning and local land stewardship.
The company maintains a dining
facility so vendors were sought to provide biodegradable packaging materials.
These products have their own challenges, and better and more cost effective
alternatives are always being sought at vendor trade shows. This is another way
that involving the entire organization in the effort helps. At all levels of
the company, decisions are being made and alternatives are being considered
based on their impact the environment.
Effects
on operations and product lines
Since EBSCO maintains large data
centres as a content provider, the company has joined The Green Grid to promote energy efficiency. Data centre hibernation systems also help improve
energy efficiency during off-peak hours. Building renovations included the
installation of Energy Management Systems that are expected to save over 20% in
energy consumption per year. Two 192-panel solar arrays have been installed on two
of EBSCO's three renovated mill buildings that make up the company's Ipswich, Massachusetts
campus. The solar electric systems are expected to offset 20% to 25% of the
energy needs of each building.
As a content provider, the company
indexes information so that researchers can find the best results for their
searches. A newly released resource is designed to benefit those looking to
find out about the environment. GreenFILETM is a bibliographic database of information about environmental concerns;
helping people access information about the impact humans have on the
environment. While most of the more than 200 databases from EBSCO Publishing
are available through subscription access only, GreenFILE is available free on the Web at www.greeninfoonline.com.
Positive
community impact
While the costs associated with ‘going
green' may seem prohibitive or at least labour intensive, companies may also
want consider the benefits of being a company that has a demonstrated regard
for the environment. Companies can serve as leaders and examples in their local
communities, as well as their industries. For EBSCO, green initiatives have
enhanced the company's visibility among potential employees. EBSCO is
constantly growing and at any time has about 40 open positions ranging from
entry level jobs to high tech and highly-specific jobs from abstractors and
subject experts, to product managers, medical editors and software engineers.
During the interview and hiring process, the green initiatives are a selling
point. Recruiters and hiring managers have discovered that being able to show
candidates the steps the company has taken, helps them promote EBSCO at college
job fairs and at other events designed to bring in job candidates.
Being a good corporate citizen has
ramifications in a given locale. Working closely with members of town
government on some of the larger initiatives continues to strengthen a
long-standing and beneficial relationship. The first of EBSCO's two large-scale
solar electric arrays was introduced to the community in August 2007 at an
event called ‘Unveiling Renewable Energies at EP'. Local and state officials
were invited to speak, including US Congressman John Tierney, who co-authored the
Green Jobs Act of 2007 which
authorized $125 million to help the United States develop a specialized
green collar work force. Local officials also highlighted their initiatives to
help residents and businesses go green.
The event was well-received, a
local newspaper editorial wrote, ‘Town officials, too, have shown themselves
receptive to the concept of going green in recent years, and Ipswich Selectman
Jim Engel was on hand Tuesday to herald the EBSCO project as "one of the most
successful and unheralded public-private partnerships" the town has seen'. The
newspaper went on to write, ‘Certainly it was another positive step in building
what many hope will become a burgeoning market in renewable energy technology
not only in Ipswich, but throughout the region'.
(Our view: Going green in Ipswich, Salem News, August 24, 2007)
Massachusetts companies were used during the
entire project from the original site mapping, to the solar panel and inverter
box construction, right down to the turnkey installation. Having local
companies involved was an excellent way to promote alternative energy solutions
and serve as a backdrop to support local businesses that are helping other
companies become more environmentally responsible.
Green
key to long-term success
As a corporate entity, EBSCO
Publishing has faced the same question any organization would encounter when
trying to answer the question, ‘what can we do?' Being an
environmentally-conscious company has long been a guiding directive for EBSCO
Publishing and its parent company, EBSCO industries, Inc. The company has
always tried to implement new initiatives that help it operate in a more
efficient and environmentally-sound manner and the company's goal is to
continue to grow, while simultaneously making a positive impact on the
environment.
In today's business climate, some
feel that successful growth and environmental stewardship are often mutually
exclusive concepts. However, EBSCO Publishing approaches the process with the
opposite corporate philosophy - that in order to be truly successful in the
long term, a company needs to proactively take care of the land and resources
that have helped to sustain it through its many years of development.
For more information about EBSCO's
green initiatives go to http://www.ebscohost.com/green.
By Beth Howell
Beth Howell, vice president of human
resources at EBSCO Publishing, has been with EBSCO since 1994. She has
held a variety of positions in her 14 years with the company including: communications
manager; editor, product manager; and director of customer satisfaction.
As VP of human resources, Howell's department hires for a variety of positions
at EBSCO Publishing. In addition, Howell is currently the facilitator of
EBSCO Publishing's "Green Team" environmental initiative. Prior to
joining EBSCO Publishing, Howell worked in marketing for The Wall, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of WH Smith. Howell has a B.A. in English from The
College of William and Mary in Virginia.
FUMSI articles by Beth Howell »
![[Get Copyright Permissions]](http://license.icopyright.net/images/icopy-w.gif "[Get Copyright Permissions]")
Click here for copyright permissions!
Copyright 2010 Free Pint Limited
Related articles:
You may also be interested in:
|
