Month: December 2025

The Cortex Innovation District stands as a global hub for innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship, empowering diverse communities with the resources to shape the future. Home to startups, R&D teams, manufacturers, nonprofits and creators of all kinds, Cortex is where technology, art and enterprise converge to grow and connect. What truly sets Cortex apart is its unwavering commitment to sustainability, a core element of its identity as a leader in innovation. By championing eco-friendly practices in the St. Louis region and beyond, Cortex ensures its impact reaches far beyond the boundaries of the District.

Cortex’s vision for sustainability is bold: to integrate eco-friendly practices into every facet of its community. From green building designs to sustainable operations, the District serves as a living laboratory for environmental stewardship. This dedication earned Cortex recognition as a Champion Level participant in the 2024 St. Louis Green Business Challenge.

“The Green Team at Cortex is an example of the district’s power to convene, allowing sustainability advocates from entities large and small within the district to weigh in on sustainable initiatives and fostering collaboration for collective change,” said Ben Daugherty, Operations and Sustainability Project Manager for Cortex Innovation District.

During the 2024 Challenge, Cortex launched a district-wide Green Team, a dynamic group committed to advancing sustainability through creativity and collaboration. Their efforts included a tech recycling event that collected 9,000 pounds of material and a similar event that diverted 20,000 pounds of office furniture from landfills through donations. Cortex also approved a policy to fully reimburse restaurants for their Green Dining Alliance certification fee and secured a Gateway Regional Environmental Fund (GREF) grant to help major energy users switch to certified renewable sources.

Furthermore, the District hosted a native seed propagation workshop, launched a community composting drop-off site with New Earth Farms and partnered with Resla to promote electric vehicle use through Tesla rentals that operated out of the North Silo Parking Lot. Advancing the Living Laboratories section of the Sustainability Action Plan, labs in 13 Cortex buildings also began using a dashboard developed by CannonDesign to track energy usage and carbon emissions. Last but not least, through the work of a Wash U Gephart Fellowship intern, four Cortex labs began leveraging the International Sustainable Labs toolkit, Labs2Zero, integrated with data benchmarked in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager — further reinforcing Cortex’s role as a leader in sustainable innovation.

For more information about Cortex Innovation District or to get involved in the St. Louis Green Business Challenge, subscribe to the bi-monthly E-Newsletter or visit stlouisgreenchallenge.com.  For more on how sustainability connects to air quality, visit the Clean Air Partnership website, like us on Facebook or follow us on X @gatewaycleanair.

Founded in 1975 as a small, family-owned paving company, Keeley Construction has grown into a regional leader with a strong commitment to sustainability. Today, their efforts go far beyond building projects — they’re fostering a culture of environmental responsibility among employees and the community.

Keeley’s core values of responsibility, adaptability, innovation, stewardship and environmental care are brought to life through initiatives that engage team members directly. From planting trees to exploring emerging green trends, Keeley turns sustainability from a concept into a shared mission. A major driver of this progress is Keeley’s Green Team, which was created to spark conversation and action around energy efficiency and waste reduction. As a participant in the 2024 St. Louis Green Business Challenge at the Leader Level, the company hosted four sustainability-focused learning sessions for employees, including Geeking Out on Trees with Forest ReLEAF, Bringing High-Performance Building Envelopes Home led by Keeley VP Matt Muller and Director of Design Derek Maschek, Intro to the WELL Building Standard presented by Keeley staff, and Minding the Gaps: A Tech Review of High-Performance Building Envelopes with GRW Engineering.

Beyond attending sustainability sessions in the workplace, Keeley employees extended their commitment to the community by planting trees at North Springs Head Start Center, an effort that underscored the company’s zero-carbon goal and helped contribute to cleaner air quality in the region.

“In 2024, the Green Business Challenge has provided Keeley Construction with valuable insights into adopting a more sustainable approach to operations and project execution,” said Casey Delaney, Director of Business Development for Keeley Construction. “Keeley is excited to continue making progress toward reducing waste and energy consumption in 2025 and beyond.”

The 2024 challenge year also marked the official launch of Keeley Green as the seventh cultural pillar of Keeley Companies. This initiative equipped employees with tools and resources to grow personally and professionally while advancing sustainability. Keeley’s progress was also made evident on its website, having highlighted energy-efficient commercial buildings, renewable energy facilities and transmission systems powering the clean energy grid. Photos showcase how Keeley blended passion and productivity to create a cleaner planet — living proof of their values in action.

The Clean Air Partnership proudly recognizes Keeley Construction’s measurable sustainability efforts. More than words on a page, Keeley’s commitment is demonstrated through tangible results. For more information about Keeley Construction and how your organization can get involved in the St. Louis Green Business Challenge, subscribe to the Challenge’s bi-monthly E-Newsletter or visit stlouisgreenchallenge.com. To learn more about the link between sustainability and air quality, explore the Clean Air Partnership’s website, like us on Facebook or follow us on X @gatewaycleanair.

Even though the holiday season is a time for joy, togetherness and cherished traditions, it’s also a time when waste and energy use tend to spike. From gift wrapping to festive meals, the choices we make can have a big impact on the environment. The good news? With a few simple changes, you can keep the season merry while reducing your carbon footprint.

Rethink Gift Giving

Instead of defaulting to store-bought items, consider gifts that are meaningful and sustainable. Experiences like concert tickets, cooking classes or memberships create lasting memories without adding clutter. If you’re buying physical gifts, look for locally made products or those crafted from recycled materials. And don’t forget the wrapping! Opt for reusable gift bags, recycled paper or even fabric wraps to cut down on waste.

Deck the Halls — Responsibly

Holiday decorations bring warmth and cheer, but they don’t have to harm the planet. LED lights use up to 80% less energy than traditional bulbs and last much longer. If you love the glow of candles, choose soy or beeswax varieties instead of paraffin. For greenery, consider a potted tree that can be replanted or rent a live tree from a local nursery. These choices keep your celebrations festive while reducing environmental impact.

Plan a Low-Waste Feast

While food is at the heart of holiday gatherings, it’s also a major source of waste. Start by planning your menu carefully to avoid overbuying. Support local farmers and choose seasonal produce to minimize transportation emissions. Compost food scraps when possible and send guests home with leftovers to ensure nothing goes to waste. Small steps like these make a big difference in reducing holiday food waste.

Travel Smarter

Visiting loved ones often means hitting the road or taking to the skies. If possible, carpool or use public transportation next week to help cut down on harmful greenhouse gas emissions. For longer trips, consider offsetting your travel footprint by supporting carbon-reduction projects. And if you’re hosting, consider incorporating a virtual gathering for those who can’t make the trip, as technology makes it easy to stay connected without the environmental cost.

Make Sustainability Part of the Tradition

The holidays are about traditions, and creating eco-friendly habits can become part of that legacy. Whether it’s a family pledge to reduce waste, a gift exchange focused on handmade items or a commitment to energy-efficient lighting, these choices add meaning to the season while protecting the planet and our region’s air quality.

This year, let’s celebrate with intention. By embracing sustainable practices, we can enjoy the magic of the holidays while ensuring a cleaner, healthier future for all.

To learn more about the link between living greener and our air quality, visit the tips section of the Clean Air Partnership’s website, like us on Facebook or follow us on X @gatewaycleanair.