The Clean Air Partnership has spent the summer recognizing the efforts and initiatives of local entities that captured the highest total points in the “Champion” track of the St. Louis Green Business Challenge (GBC) this past year. This fall, we are turning our attention to those who scored highest in the GBC’s “Leaders” track, by kicking off our spotlight series with a feature on Tarlton Corporation for their many sustainable innovations and dedication to making the region a better place to live, work and play.
Tarlton Corporation is a St. Louis-based general contracting and construction management firm committed to building futures for their clients, team and community. Since 1946, the firm has completed numerous landmark projects in and around the area, continuing to improve its sustainability efforts by always looking for new ways to be green in all their business operations.
Tarlton is a proud participant of the GBC, along with other organizations that promote sustainable construction and business operations in the region. In 2018, the company received the Achievement Award in the Star Circle of Excellence and an Award of Merit at the Leader Level. To achieve this award, businesses must advance their sustainability efforts and finish the challenge with a leading score.
Multiple accomplishments in sustainability helped Tarlton Corporation place high in the Challenge. Their office building is especially eco-friendly with a rooftop solar array, water bottle filling stations, landscaping with native plants and rain cisterns to collect water. The company also executed a change out of all light fixtures to either LEDs or CFLs, helping to reduce energy usage by almost 40%. In addition, Tarlton has completed more than a dozen Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified projects.
To lead the corporation in sustainability initiatives, Tarlton has a Green Team, which is a committee dedicated to helping find ways to be environmentally conscious and responsible at work and home. They encourage the staff to help at regional green events and host Lunch ‘n Learns that educate employees on how to be energy efficient outside of the workplace.
Furthermore, the company installed a “Make a Difference” board, which is a central hub of information about all Tarlton’s green initiatives, with bins for collecting items like plastic bottle lids, can tabs, rechargeable batteries and box tops for education. The board has a calendar of all upcoming green events and photos of what they have taken part in. Employees at Tarlton also implemented a Grocery Bag Exchange Program, where team members receive a reusable bag for every 50 plastic bags they turn in. In total, the team has collected over 5,000 plastic bags!
To learn more about the link between sustainability and air quality, explore our website, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at @gatewaycleanair. For additional information on the sustainable efforts underway by Tarlton Corporation and how your company can get involved in the St. Louis Green Business Challenge, visit http://stlouisgreenchallenge.com/.