With apologies to Kermit the Frog, it’s not easy turning a company green. But at the B. Frank Joy Co. in Hyattsville, Md., employees are becoming as knowledgeable about carbon footprints and alternative fuels as they are about the sewer and infrastructure services the company provides throughout the Mid-Atlantic Coast region.
“One of our five-year goals is establishing green initiatives,” says Desi Hannon, general manager of the company, whose core services include pipe cleaning, inspection, and trenchless rehabilitation. “The main reason we’re doing it is that it’s the right thing to do, for the company and for future generations. It’s just common sense. And on top of that, we also can realize some cost savings.” Earth-friendly objectives include:
Making its office complex compliant with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
Reducing its carbon footprint (total greenhouse-gas emissions) by 5 percent.
Expanding its services to meet new environmental market opportunities that match the company’s core capabilities, such as installing infrastructure for geothermal heating and solar and wind power.
“We’re also emphasizing no-dig solutions – trenchless technologies – because they don’t use as much equipment as when you dig up and replace lines,” Hannon says. “That reduces your carbon footprint.”
While he doesn’t believe being green gives Joy a huge competitive edge, Hannon thinks it eventually will provide a marketing advantage. If nothing else, more and more projects already require contractors to use eco-friendly practices. “The market is heading that way,” Hannon says. “We’ve already had a government job that required Tier III-compliant diesel equipment. If we didn’t have newer equipment that met those emission standards, we wouldn’t be on that job.
“In addition, workers on that project were required to earn certification by attending one-hour workshops about environmental awareness. All the guys needed a card to show they attended.”
