Providence, RI. (11/1/05) Gilbane Building Company has had a long-standing commitment to environmental responsibility and to emphasizing sustainable practices in its work. Recently, Gilbane Building Company announced a series of initiatives that have evolved out of its operational commitment to sustainability and environmental practices. All of Gilbane's projects will be positively impacted by sustainable strategies, in areas such as:

Waste Recycling
Gilbane has adopted new standards for waste recycling and minimization on all projects. In September, the company began requiring new projects to recycle a minimum of 50 percent of construction waste. Many projects are expected to exceed that goal, and that, in some cases, 90 percent recycling will occur. This effort includes a combination of creative strategies including recycling of raw materials produced in demolition; minimizing waste by asking suppliers to eliminate packing and shipping materials; and reusing building components.

Continuous Learning
About 25 percent of Gilbane's employees are either LEED® Accredited Professionals or are participating on sustainable facility projects. Gilbane University has also established a sustainable learning curriculum that will bring sustainable concepts to all Gilbane employees. In addition, owners can also participate in this training. Sustainability is also included in the formal client-satisfaction survey process, allowing Gilbane to measure the effectiveness of it green teams and practices. Feedback is used to direct further training.

Educating the Team
The company feels its greatest opportunity to effect change in the industry comes via training subcontractor and specialized trades in green building practices. As a result, Gilbane seek out learning opportunities that target subcontractors and raise their awareness. Gilbane also helps subcontractors become familiar with sustainable systems, waste minimization, and fuel conservation. This training helps contractors learn methods both simple and complex that are have a lasting environmental impact on projects and in the communities where they build. This educational effort also extends to the clients: classes are provided on LEED® and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program.

Greening All Operations
Gilbane is also working to instill sustainable practices in the everyday operations of its project-site locations and permanent offices. For example, office teams are installing Energy Star rated office machines; undertaking comprehensive recycling programs; purchasing paper and other products with recycled content; participating in community beautification programs; encouraging use of public transportation and even providing preferred parking to employees with hybrid cars.

In each Gilbane region, there is a Green Team that drives sustainable practices, explores new opportunities, and challenges key team-members in estimating, procurement, preconstruction and project management to adopt environmentally sound practices. An interregional Green Peer Group keeps the company up to date on the latest sustainable technologies and techniques. This group helps Gilbane stay abreast of changes and advances in sustainable practices, and continue to provide clients with services that are both appropriate and valuable. At the executive level, Gilbane's Sustainability Advisory Council, led by Thomas Gilbane Jr., reviews green policy and ensures it is successful throughout the company.

About Gilbane
Gilbane Inc. (www.gilbaneco.com) is a full-service construction and real estate development company comprising Gilbane Building Company and Gilbane Development Company. Gilbane Building Company is one of the largest construction and program managers in the nation, and provides a full slate of facilities-related services for clients in the life sciences, transportation, healthcare, convention/cultural, government, educational, mission-critical, corporate, sports/recreational, and criminal justice markets. Gilbane Development Company utilizes its experience in finance, alternative transaction structures, tax and project management to provide customer-focused solutions, thus reducing occupancy costs and balance-sheet impact on projects ranging from corporate headquarters to operation/data centers, distribution centers to mixed-use projects, manufacturing facilities to schools and public facilities.