Enterprise Rent-A-Car Leads Car Rental Industry in Sustainable Construction; $150 Million Investment Over Five Years

A new industry-leading effort is under way to make all newly constructed and retrofitted Enterprise Rent-A-Car locations sustainable. Over the next five years, Enterprise will invest more than $150 million in sustainable construction through the use of a newly established set of guidelines called the Enterprise Sustainable Construction Protocol (ESCP).

A comprehensive framework for sustainable features in all future construction projects, the ESCP ensures new and retrofitted facilities are designed, built and managed sustainably.

"The ESCP advances our commitment to environmental stewardship and smart business by exceeding our customers' expectations for what it means to be a sustainable company, providing a healthy workplace for our employees, and ultimately providing a long-term cost savings for our business," said Lee Broughton, head of corporate sustainability for Enterprise Holdings, the parent company of Enterprise Rent-A-Car. "This is one more example of our company setting measurable goals to drive the sustainable growth of our business. And, as the car rental industry leader, we are also setting the standard for others to follow." 

In addition to improving the sustainability profile of Enterprise rental locations, the ESCP is expected to generate significant energy and water utility savings -- estimated up to 35 percent -- through improved efficiencies and other measures.

"While we may sometimes pay a small premium on materials to build and retrofit in this fashion -- up to 2 percent -- we expect significant cost savings in the long run," Broughton said. "These guidelines will help ensure that sustainability is at the core of our facilities."

In the coming year, sustainable building and retrofit projects are anticipated at more than 1,000 Enterprise Rent-A-Car locations throughout the company.

"LEEDing" by example
An example of the new Enterprise Rent-A-Car commitment to sustainable building is its new car rental location at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. The O'Hare 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.

A significant percentage of the materials used in construction of the facility were from regional sources to reduce the carbon footprint associated with transporting materials. Other sustainable features of the Enterprise O'Hare location include: a "green" roof system that insulates the building and provides a suitable habitat for native plants; storm water detention/retention to reduce discharge into downstream watercourses; energy-efficient lighting; and a system for recycling car wash waste water. To date, these features have reduced the facility's water use by 22 percent and energy use by 15 percent. For a virtual tour of the O'Hare facility, visit Enterprise Rent-A-Car's new sustainability web site: www.drivingfutures.com/innovation/#sustainable-construction.

"Building the O'Hare facility inspired us to modify how we approach constructing and retrofitting all of the facilities in our network," said Broughton. "We're developing the ESCP as a way to ensure we're consistently utilizing certain sustainability measures in our building projects."

The ESCP outlines the following seven focus areas to guide the design, new construction and retrofitting of Enterprise facilities:

• Use of sustainable materials: Include regionally-produced materials and those with at least 10 percent recycled content in construction projects. Examples include ceiling tiles, wall graphics, flooring and drywall made with recycled content.


• Efficient energy use: Implement energy-efficient controls and systems for interior and exterior needs. Examples include signage with T8 long-life lamps and LED, and retrofitted garage bays for increased heating efficiency and control measures. 


• Use of sustainable construction sites: Build on previously developed sites when appropriate; when appropriate, use materials that reduce the heat-island effect on parking lots, where temperatures are higher than surrounding areas; and foster water management systems to repurpose storm water infiltration.


• Recycling: Reuse fixtures, furniture and equipment such as millwork (rental counters), operational equipment, signs and furniture; recycle construction debris.


• Water efficiencies: Install water reclamation systems in automated car wash units or low-flow/high-efficient pressure wash systems; utilize high-efficiency plumbing fixtures; plant green roof systems; and design efficient landscaping plans that positively affect the water flow.


• Air quality: Use low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) material in paint, carpet, coatings and adhesives; where appropriate, implement an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) plan during construction.


• Process innovation: Develop innovative approaches for each unique facility, whether an independent structure, at an airport, or in an existing shared building; focus on physical layout and design as well as the business processes required to operate each facility; ensure changes positively affect employee satisfaction.