by Brianna Crandall — February 7, 2011—Enterprise Rent-A-Car has announced an industry-leading effort to make all of its newly constructed and retrofitted locations sustainable through the use of a new set of guidelines, the Enterprise Sustainable Construction Protocol (ESCP). This comprehensive framework ensures new and retrofitted facilities will be designed, built and managed sustainably.
In the coming year, sustainable building and retrofit projects are anticipated at more than 1,000 Enterprise Rent-A-Car neighborhood and airport locations throughout the company, and over the next five years, Enterprise plans to invest more than $150 million in sustainable construction. The ESCP is expected to generate significant energy and water utility savings—estimated up to 35 percent—through improved efficiencies and other measures.
The ESCP outlines seven focus areas for sustainable construction and retrofitting: use of sustainable materials; efficient energy use, including controls and systems for interior and exterior needs; use of sustainable construction sites, such as previously developed sites; recycling, including construction debris and reusing fixtures and equipment; water efficiencies, such as reclamation systems in car wash units; indoor air quality; and developing innovative approaches for each unique facility.
An example of Enterprise’s new commitment to sustainable building is its new location at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. The facility, which opened in June 2010, recently became the car rental industry’s first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver-certified independent car rental location.
Sustainable features of the O’Hare location include: a large percentage of regionally sourced construction materials, a “green” roof system, storm water detention/retention, energy-efficient lighting, and a system for recycling car wash waste water. To date, these features have reportedly reduced the facility’s water use by 22 percent and energy use by 15 percent. A virtual tour of the O’Hare facility is available on Enterprise’s new Sustainable Construction Web site.
