Wouldn’t it be great if every office building in America had its own private park? What if that park also kept the building cool in the summer, improved air quality and reduced harmful runoff? With the implementation of green roofs – that vision could soon become a reality.
Office buildings like PECO headquarters, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and other commercial spaces are adopting green roof technology to create more sustainable office spaces – and cut down on energy costs.
The WWF’s green roof is the third largest in the District of Columbia, containing over 50,000 plants, which can absorb over 650,000 gallons of water a year – enough to fill an Olympic sized swimming pool. That runoff can carry harmful bacteria, pollutants, and oil into various sources of our drinking water. Yuck!
Green roofs additionally create a synthetic habitat for local animals and relaxing place for workers by restoring the “ecological and aesthetic value of urban open space.”
The best part: green roofs are economical. They cost only about $12 to $35 a square foot, and local governments often offer substantial subsidies. The DC government has even offered $7 to $10 for every square foot of green roof. So next time you’re at boring office meeting, why not mention green roofs?
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