The GEO Group, as part of the development of new facilities and oversight of its corporate facilities, is committed to focusing its efforts on sustainable operations. As a facility makes the conversion to a green operational philosophy, operating costs are lowered and emissions are lowered. The economic benefits continue, and the efforts meet political, social and environmental concerns.
For several years, The GEO Group has been tracking and analyzing its facilities’ utility efficiencies on a monthly basis. The GEO Group's goal is to heighten awareness, and encourage staff at each facility to do what they can to help contribute to increase facility sustainability, while not impacting the safe and efficient operation of the facility.
Year End Company Wide Savings:
EXAMPLE OF UTILITY COST SAVING:
Broward Transition Center: Broward Transition Center lighting replacement and air conditioning automatically turns off when room doors open. SAVINGS OF 8%
Green Initiatives at Newly Constructed Facilities:
R30 Insulation in roofs
White reflective roofing materials
Building Management Systems
Low Flow Shower Heads
Use of recycled water at the laundries
High efficiency lighting including T-5 and T-8 fluorescent lamps
Occupancy sensors in offices and classrooms for lighting
Use of gas for hot water heating instead of electric
Variable speed sensored kitchen hood exhaust
Cycling of air conditioners using the Building Management System to avoid peak load charges.
R20 Insulation in walls
Skylights for natural light
Low Flow Plumbing Fixtures
Control of showers from central control
Waterless urinals
Timers / photocells on exterior lighting
High efficiency HVAC equipment
Use of chilled water systems vs. rooftop DX units
Heat recovery for laundry exhaust
Photovoltaic solar panels
The Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certification program is administered by Green Building Certification Institute. LEED certification is based on an evaluation of a number of environmental factors including but not limited to the sustainability of the site, the efficient use of water, energy, material and other resources, the quality of indoor air and overall environment, and the use of innovative and environmentally friendly technologies and strategies.
In October 2011, Blackwater River Correctional Facility, located in Milton, Florida, became GEO’s first Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Certified project to receive a Gold Certification.
The Green Building Certification Institute determines that a completed project satisfies all prerequisites and has achieved a minimum number of points outlined in the LEED for the rating system to achieve a particular level of LEED certification, such as LEED Certified, LEED Silver, LEED Gold or LEED Platinum.
BELOW IS A LIST OF GEO FACILITIES WHICH HAVE BEEN DESIGNED TO LEED SILVER STANDARDS:
Facilities Designed To LEED Silver Standards
For more information on LEED Certification click here.
BI is continually looking for new ways to be environmentally aware when it comes to the disposal of materials. The majority of equipment orders are shipped in plastic cases, which are durable and can be re-used four to five times longer than previous cardboard shipping containers. Packaging for supplier parts also contains recycled content. BI has a shipping carton return service in place for all customers.
BI developed a “Greenville” station within Manufacturing to recycle, repair and reuse plastic products. BI has initiated various energy efficient and environmentally friendly programs including the installation of energy efficient lighting. We buy products that are free from ODCs (Ozone Depleting Chemicals), lead and other harmful substances. BI is also WEEE compliant, allowing all customers to return waste or obsolete electrical components for controlled disposal.
BI COMPLIES WITH TWO MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL DIRECTIVES: WEEE AND ROHS.
BI voluntarily works to comply with two major environmental directives, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) and the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS). Both WEEE and RoHS became European Law in February 2003.
WEEE is the European Community directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment that sets collection, recycling, and recovery targets for all types of electrical goods. WEEE aims to minimize the impact of these goods on the environment by increasing re-use and recycling and reducing the amount going to landfills. The directive places the responsibility for the collection, treatment, and disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment on the manufacturers of such equipment. Distributors are required to allow consumers to return their waste equipment free of charge.
RoHS bans placing new electrical and electronic equipment that contains more than the agreed levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB), and polybrominated biphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants on the EU market.
BI works to comply with WEEE and RoHS by: