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Written 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. GreenFILE^TM 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.

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.

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