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Small Seed, Big Impact

Yellow wildflowers bloom densely in a sunlit field with green stems and foliage throughout.

Planting a seed is just the beginning of how you can nurture and care for a plant as it grows. In honor of Earth Month, we have identified four elements of sustainability that might be a small seed but can have a big impact.

1. Water Use Reduction

Boston Dynamics office lobby with cognac leather sofa, blue accent chairs, and live-edge wood coffee table on geometric rug.

Why should we care?

  • Conserving water not only saves water, but conserved energy since you don't have to heat or pump water that isn't used
  • Conserving water also means that you don't have to use energy to treat fresh water twice -- once to make it potable, and the second time to treat it after use

How did we do it?

Boston Dynamics Headquarters and Test Lab Facilities

  • 40% water use reduction
  • 7 water bottle filling stations
  • a reduction of 353,985 gallons consumed annually

2. Interior Environmental Quality

Bright minimalist interior with white brick walls, skylight, large gridded window, and curved ceiling element casting

Why should we care?

  • Daylight exposure can result in a greater sense of wellbeing and satisfaction
  • Daylight can save electricity when daylight sensors are installed, or lights are turned off
  • Diffused sunlight shows true colors that artificial light distorts
  • Increased levels of daylight increase productivity and sales

How did we do it?

Everlane

  • In Georgetown, plywood deck and joists were removed to let light spill in from the 2nd and 3rd floors
  • "Sun tunnels" were added into the dressing rooms
  • Skylights throughout the sales floor in University Village distribute daylight

3. Energy Use Reduction

Modern lounge with blue sculptural chairs, orange side tables, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking brick courtyard.

Why should we care?

  • Reduces fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions
  • Reduces climate change
  • Reduces capital and operating costs
  • Encourages innovation

How did we do it?

Endicott College

  • Reused the existing basement and foundations
  • Installed a Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) System for HVAC efficiency
  • Building envelope designed to exceed the MA Stretch Energy Code by 7%
  • Lighting designed to exceed IECC requirements by 73%

4. Healthy Materials

Stacked metal kegs viewed from above, showing circular tops with center vents and colored straps marking individual barrels.

Why should we care?

  • Many building industry materials, chemicals, and elements post dangers to human and ecosystem health
  • Many toxins bio-accumulate and have been shown to cause endocrine disruption
  • Preservatives in building materials can impair learning and waken muscle function

How did we do it?

  • Emeco’s 111 Navy Chair for employee lounge seating is made of 111 recycled Coca-Cola PET bottles
  • 120 Boston Beer kegs upcycled to create screen dividers for a meeting room
  • Carpet is Mohawks’ Nutopia 2.0 collection: net positive for carbon and water, and is Living Product Challenge Petal Certified, Declare Red List Free and Green Label Plus certified