Green, Green Green

This post is a little different than my usual, but I thought it would be fun to share my work environment with you.  Sabre Holdings (parent company of Travelocity) was built in 1999 and was awarded certification by the U.S Green Building Council for being environmentally friendly and protecting the surrounding communities. The grounds have wetlands and holding ponds that the grounds are watered from,  and native grasses and wildflowers.

We have a very active compostable campus program (styrofoam free).  Our food containers are made from either corn, sugar or potatos.  We use real coffee cups that are washed out each evening. All of these compostable items are sent through a pulper and then accumulated in a contained composter on campus.  These products are quickly bio-degradable and all the compost materials are the used for on-site landscaping.

• We use NO pesticides, herbicides, or chemicals on the grounds.


• The building exteriors are comprised of native, locally available stone.


• Our state-of-the-art heating and cooling systems prevent ozone depletion


• Carpeting inside the building is made of recycled fibers and limited to only the areas that need it for comfort and sound control. 


• 50% of the headquarter buildings' materials are made from recycled content


• The roof is made of a reflective material that helps with cooling the building in the summer months


• All plants are maintained organically


• We have lots of Turkey Vultures which are a protected species


• We have automatic mechanical shades that adjust based on light sensors


• Flooring in the breakrooms is produced from the bark of the Cork Oak tree.  The Cork Oak survives the harvesting of its protective covering and fully renews it's bark in nine years.

• Our ceiling tiles are made from bamboo, another highly renewable resource.


• All the fabric in our cubicles is made of 100% recycled content.


• We have recycle bins throughout the building for batteries, aluminum cans, plastic, glass, paper


• Our picnic tables on the grounds are made from recycled plastic milk cartons


• Bike racks are provided for 5% of the employee population  

You can see why it is such a joy to go to work everyday in this type of environment.  We take being 'green' very seriously. 

The best part for me, is that I only live 1.2 miles from here and occasionally, if I don't have to have my car, I enjoy walking to work and I like the idea of getting the extra exercise this time of year.

I have a very fun weekend planned so I hope to get lots of great photos to share.  Until then....