Sage Homebuilders

Sage Homebuilders, LLC
114 Gay Avenue
Clayton, MO 63105
314.265.6143
314.480.4898 fax
info@sagestl.com

Sage Homebuilders
Corporate Sustainability Policy

About Us | Media Coverage | Awards | Organizational Affiliates | Sage Principals

CONSTRUCTION

Be Dark Green – We will build our homes as “green” as possible, every time. This means doing the right thing, even if it does not yield a point on the certification checklist. We don’t shoot for basic certification, but the highest certification that is feasible.
Equipment – We will purchase greener construction equipment, including lower impact vehicles, heating equipment, tools, etc. in addition to helping fund recycling and other efficiency tools- as revenues permit.
Training – We will conduct regular green building training of field personnel.
Continually Improve – We will constantly be looking to improve our practices and implement the latest and best green building products. Sage will be THE leader when it comes to cutting edge green building technologies.

PROMOTE GREEN BUILDING

Other Builders – We will assist other builders in learning how to build green, sharing our knowledge of practices, products, the certification process, effective marketing, etc. Our goal is to help as many builders “go green” as possible. This effort takes time away from our own operations and may reduce our competitive advantage, but we believe that it is important that all buildings are built green as soon as possible. The more cooperation toward that goal, the sooner it will come to fruition.
Green Orgs - We will be a consistently active participant in various green-oriented organizations and will provide leadership whenever possible.
Green Resource Center – We will create and maintain a Green Building Resource Center - with displays, product samples, files, books, magazines, DVD library, etc. – that will be located in our office, and which will be open to the public. The Center will be developed and opened in 2008.

TRANSPORTATION

To Jobsites – We will take steps to ensure that construction personnel utilize lower impact company-owned vehicles. Such vehicles will be purchased as revenues permit.
To Office – We will offer incentives to all employees for purchasing lower impact vehicles, or using public transportation. A formal plan for these incentives will be implemented in 2008.

OFFICE BUILDING

Current Office Building – We will work with the owners of the building we currently occupy to improve upon their operations from a green point of view.
New Office Building – We will build a new office building, to LEED Platinum standards, and occupy it, no later than 2010. This building will be located centrally to reduce driving distance for employees and business partners.

OFFICE OPERATIONS

Recycling - We will recycle all waste that can be recycled, and do our best to prevent waste from being generated through the use of multiple-use supplies.
Paperless - We will strive to operate as “paperless” as possible, making use of email, Internet faxing, and scanning. We will encourage our partner companies to participate in this effort.
Supplies - We will purchase green office supplies.
Office Furniture – We will continue to buy only greener office furniture, including pieces with recycled content, reused, green material construction, etc.
Daylighting – We will strive to utilize daylight in meeting our lighting needs as much as possible.
Reduce Electrical Loads – Utilize power strips and “Smart Strips” to reduce phantom loads. Utilize CFL and LED light fixtures.

CARBON FOOTPRINT

Carbon Assessment - We will conduct an assessment of our Carbon Footprint, to be completed in 2008.
Carbon Reduction Plan – We will generate a plan for reducing our carbon footprint – through limiting direct and indirect emissions, and through carbon offsetting. This plan will be completed and implemented in 2008.
Carbon Offsetting - We support renewable energy initiatives by using carbon offsets programs, like the Ameren UE Pure Power Initiative. We will purchase additional Renewable Energy Certificates (REC’s, or greentags) in accordance with the Carbon Reduction Plan.
Company Culture – We will encourage a “culture of sustainability” in hopes that green practices will occur with less effort and carry over to life outside of work.

ASSURANCE

Director of Sustainability – We will maintain a well-qualified person in this position whose primary duty will be to ensure that all of the goals of the Sustainability Policy above are being met to the best of our ability. This person is also responsible for green certification and green building product research and education.
Environmental Management System (EMS) - We will actively manage our environmental impact by maintaining an Environmental Management System to track our progress. Our EMS will be developed and implemented in 2008.
Annual Progress Reports – We will conduct annual reviews of our progress, to be handled by COO and Director of Sustainability.
Public Accountability – We will make our progress reports available to anyone interested in reviewing them.

	Sage Homebuilders, LLC 114 Gay Avenue Clayton, MO 63105 314.265.6143 314.480.4898 fax info@sagestl.com
		Sage Homebuilders Corporate Sustainability Policy About Us \| Media Coverage \| Awards \| Organizational Affiliates \| Sage Principals CONSTRUCTION Be Dark Green – We will build our homes as “green” as possible, every time. This means doing the right thing, even if it does not yield a point on the certification checklist. We don’t shoot for basic certification, but the highest certification that is feasible. Equipment – We will purchase greener construction equipment, including lower impact vehicles, heating equipment, tools, etc. in addition to helping fund recycling and other efficiency tools- as revenues permit. Training – We will conduct regular green building training of field personnel. Continually Improve – We will constantly be looking to improve our practices and implement the latest and best green building products. Sage will be THE leader when it comes to cutting edge green building technologies. PROMOTE GREEN BUILDING Other Builders – We will assist other builders in learning how to build green, sharing our knowledge of practices, products, the certification process, effective marketing, etc. Our goal is to help as many builders “go green” as possible. This effort takes time away from our own operations and may reduce our competitive advantage, but we believe that it is important that all buildings are built green as soon as possible. The more cooperation toward that goal, the sooner it will come to fruition. Green Orgs - We will be a consistently active participant in various green-oriented organizations and will provide leadership whenever possible. Green Resource Center – We will create and maintain a Green Building Resource Center - with displays, product samples, files, books, magazines, DVD library, etc. – that will be located in our office, and which will be open to the public. The Center will be developed and opened in 2008. TRANSPORTATION To Jobsites – We will take steps to ensure that construction personnel utilize lower impact company-owned vehicles. Such vehicles will be purchased as revenues permit. To Office – We will offer incentives to all employees for purchasing lower impact vehicles, or using public transportation. A formal plan for these incentives will be implemented in 2008. OFFICE BUILDING Current Office Building – We will work with the owners of the building we currently occupy to improve upon their operations from a green point of view. New Office Building – We will build a new office building, to LEED Platinum standards, and occupy it, no later than 2010. This building will be located centrally to reduce driving distance for employees and business partners. OFFICE OPERATIONS Recycling - We will recycle all waste that can be recycled, and do our best to prevent waste from being generated through the use of multiple-use supplies. Paperless - We will strive to operate as “paperless” as possible, making use of email, Internet faxing, and scanning. We will encourage our partner companies to participate in this effort. Supplies - We will purchase green office supplies. Office Furniture – We will continue to buy only greener office furniture, including pieces with recycled content, reused, green material construction, etc. Daylighting – We will strive to utilize daylight in meeting our lighting needs as much as possible. Reduce Electrical Loads – Utilize power strips and “Smart Strips” to reduce phantom loads. Utilize CFL and LED light fixtures. CARBON FOOTPRINT Carbon Assessment - We will conduct an assessment of our Carbon Footprint, to be completed in 2008. Carbon Reduction Plan – We will generate a plan for reducing our carbon footprint – through limiting direct and indirect emissions, and through carbon offsetting. This plan will be completed and implemented in 2008. Carbon Offsetting - We support renewable energy initiatives by using carbon offsets programs, like the Ameren UE Pure Power Initiative. We will purchase additional Renewable Energy Certificates (REC’s, or greentags) in accordance with the Carbon Reduction Plan. Company Culture – We will encourage a “culture of sustainability” in hopes that green practices will occur with less effort and carry over to life outside of work. ASSURANCE Director of Sustainability – We will maintain a well-qualified person in this position whose primary duty will be to ensure that all of the goals of the Sustainability Policy above are being met to the best of our ability. This person is also responsible for green certification and green building product research and education. Environmental Management System (EMS) - We will actively manage our environmental impact by maintaining an Environmental Management System to track our progress. Our EMS will be developed and implemented in 2008. Annual Progress Reports – We will conduct annual reviews of our progress, to be handled by COO and Director of Sustainability. Public Accountability – We will make our progress reports available to anyone interested in reviewing them.
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