Grand Rapids: Re-Designing Ecology

As Featured in the Vol. 5 No. 2

Grand Rapids, known as the office furniture capital of the world and hometown of the late President Gerald Ford, is headed for another distinction. The city has embarked on a path of total transformation. It is becoming eco-friendly and building a strong economy as a result. "We must meet our needs today in a sustainable way with an eye on the needs of future generations," said Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell in his 2007 State of the City address.

Partnering with area colleges, schools, local businesses and public agencies, Grand Rapids has become one of the foremost communities to exemplify Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, a program of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The USGBC estimates that metro Grand Rapids has more square footage per capita under LEED certification than any other city in the United States. Although it’s too early for hard data, green construction appears to be on pace with the Mayor’s commitment to a cost savings of 20 percent compared to conventional construction. The city’s new LEED-certified Water/Environmental Services Facility uses 23 percent less gas and 35 percent less water. Ninety-five percent of waste was recycled during its construction…reducing the impact on landfills.

Going green has increased the efficiency and bottom-line profits for many west Michigan companies. Herman Miller and Steelcase, two major Grand Rapids businesses, have signed on to the city’s sustainability initiative. Recognized globally for designing and manufacturing green commercial office furniture, the companies also follow environmentally safe construction principles in their facilities.

Crystal Flash Energy is another example of sustainable growth in Grand Rapids. "It is the first company to offer biodiesel fuel in the state," said Bill Stough, CEO of Sustainable Research Group. Crystal Flash Energy is reducing oil dependency by distilling and refining fuel made from soybeans. The cleaner burning fuel reduces carbon monoxide emissions by 48 percent, hydrocarbons by 67 percent and sulfurs by 100 percent. The company also produces diesel blends commonly used for on- and off-road diesel engines and home heating. More than 100 of its diesel trucks use a biodiesel blend, saving the company three cents per gallon.

Fred Keller, chairman and CEO of Cascade Engineering, has established a sustainable business model for his Grand Rapids company that manufactures engineered plastics systems and components. "Sustainability means being able to cultivate and develop three capitals at the same time—economic, ecological and social," Keller said. Cascade Engineering is committed to lean manufacturing that strives to maximize effectiveness by eliminating waste, reusing resources and valuing people. In 2004, Cascade employees, known as ‘recycle warriors,’ performed a ‘dumpster dive’ that resulted in the discovery of more than two million pounds of discarded plastics and other materials that could be recycled. Through the reuse of plastic and other types of excess materials, the company dramatically cut its waste hauling costs from more than $268,000 in 2002 to $37,000 in 2006. This year, Cascade Engineering is using five million pounds of recycled plastics in its products, saving the company more than $1 million.

"Environmentally conscious businesses will see cost savings and productivity gains if they factor in sustainability costs early on," said Guy Bazzani, president of Bazzani Associates and a board member of the USGBC West Michigan chapter. "These green projects can receive payback in as little as two-and-a-half years."

Bazzani Associates’ Grand Rapids headquarters features a green roof with vegetation. The roof reduces water consumption by recycling and reusing rainwater. Bazzani’s firm will begin installing a 60,000-square-foot green roof on the city’s Metropolitan Hospital this spring. (To read more about this project, click here.) The company also developed a sustainability project called East Hills Center. The one-story office building has a green roof and is a zero rainfall discharge site. Rainfall on the property and roof is biofiltered through an on-site rain garden and discharged back to the property’s water table. Bazzani says the process reduces structural problems by eliminating wastewater flow, reduces energy consumption by lowering the roof temperature, and reduces water consumption. It also minimizes city infrastructure costs by keeping rainwater from entering city sewers and asphalt street paving.

Michigan communities can learn a great deal from Grand Rapids. "In the years ahead, we must be thoughtful, intentional and strategic if we are to sustain our way of life," said Mayor Heartwell. The mayor’s dream of good stewardship is gathering momentum. Last year, the Alliance for Environmental Sustainability (AES) reported that well over 100 new projects were either under review or construction. Grand Rapids is living proof that ‘going green’ makes sense.