Green Certified

Becoming A “Green” Company Takes Time, Commitment on Many Levels

Many homeowners understand the inherent environmental risks of a home makeover. Paint products emit gases known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and materials used by contractors can lead to excess buildup in local landfills. Recent developments, however, have allowed consumers and contractors increased opportunities to be more environmentally conscious when remodeling a home.

In order to be socially responsible, an eco conscious company must adjust its business practices and help customers understand the importance of remodeling in the most environmentally friendly way possible.

As a company that has always placed a high priority on corporate responsibility, MB JESSEE Painting recently started examining its way of doing business and its effect on the environment. As part of an industry known for using products that have the potential to produce harmful environmental effects, we examined ways that we could change to become more conscious of the world around us. In seeking to quantify our environmental impact, we know that the two greatest environmental impacts come from our fleet of vehicles, which emit tons of carbon dioxide annually, and the VOCs in the paints and similar products used by our company.

As a result of our Green Initiative, we are taking a number of steps in order to reduce the negative impact of our business on the environment. We now use vehicles that are more environmentally sound, for example, our estimators drive Toyota Scions instead of trucks. Our field personnel commute together, whenever possible. We work with local charities that have a need for our left over water-base paints. We just completed a high-profile Green LEED Platinum new home in Marin, where we were able to recommend using zero VOC paints with high performance characteristics. This project used almost two hundred gallons of paint. Our Green Initiative also includes a plan for office recycling.

As VOC usage is a concern, we will look at ways to use paints that have the lowest VOCs, yet are still effective for the job at hand. Additionally, we are educating ourselves on which products, such as thinners and primers, contain the lowest VOCs, but will still yield the same results the job requires.

Our commitment to the environment would not be possible without the involvement of all of our employees. They also have shown extraordinary enthusiasm for helping the company to take a leadership position in environmental responsibility. While we have made great strides in the implementation of our Green Initiative, we plan on stepping up our efforts in 2010 and beyond. Our future plans include offering customers the option of using low-VOC paints, purchasing renewable energy for our offices and examining ways to clean paint brushes that will reduce environmental impact.

Being an environmentally responsible company takes time, dedication and the participation of employees and customers alike. In today's world, however, it is a concept that is far too important to overlook.