Planet and Communities
Net Zero and LEED-Certified Buildings
Our site net zero energy and LEED-certified portfolio includes:
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The
Unisphere, a 135,000 square foot site
net zero energy and Platinum
LEED-certified commercial building
in Silver Spring, Maryland
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Two additional LEED Gold certified
buildings totaling 164,000 square
feet on our Silver Spring campus,
providing administrative,
laboratory, and manufacturing space
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An 11,000 square foot site net zero
energy day care center in Research
Triangle Park, North Carolina
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A 25,000 square foot site net zero
energy
ex-vivo lung perfusion
(EVLP) facility on the campus of the
Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville,
Florida
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A 10,000 square foot site net zero
energy call center in Melbourne,
Florida
Going forward, we will strive to ensure all new buildings are “site net zero” to the greatest extent practicable — meaning the building’s operational carbon-equivalent emissions are at zero as it produces as much renewable energy on-site as it consumes in a year. This is accomplished through a variety of technologies, including solar power, geothermal exchange, earth-coupled heating and cooling, and intelligent building automation systems.
Renewable Energy
In conjunction with operating our own solar arrays, United Therapeutics purchases renewable wind energy credits. Collectively, these programs offset 65% of our total annual electricity consumption. We track both utility consumption and solar generation in real time, which allows us to identify irregularities quickly and solve issues promptly to maintain our efficient use of energy.
Sharing our Best Practices
More importantly, we are proactively sharing our experience and developed best practices within the net zero energy design community, as we have welcomed a wide variety of governmental and private groups to tour the Unisphere and learn about its innovative energy-saving features. Members of our Corporate Real Estate team have also presented at regional and national sustainability conferences, along with the architectural firm that designed the facility. Working with the same firm for over a decade, United Therapeutics has developed a close collaborative relationship that has fostered innovative achievements and the ability to grow and learn from shared project experiences.
Other Sustainability
Initiatives
Sustainability does not stop at the design and construction of our buildings. We have also implemented many other initiatives, including:
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The use of isolation technology to
reduce ISO 5 spaces in our
manufacturing facilities (used for
aseptic preparation of critical
processing activities), which in
turn significantly reduces the
energy consumption required for
HVAC, as well as the consumption of
gowning materials
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Recommissioning many of our older
buildings, to improve their energy
efficiency and health and wellness
impact
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A comprehensive wastewater program,
in close partnerships with local
authorities, resulting in industry
awards and recognition, including a
Silver level award by the Washington
Suburban Sanitary Commission for
consistent compliance and wastewater
stewardship and an invitation to
host the North Carolina Pretreatment
Consortium
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A commitment by our manufacturing
operations to continuously look for
innovative ways to implement a
variety of different recycling and
repurposing measures to divert solid
waste from landfills, such as:
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Right cycle – recycling
disposable cleanroom and lab
apparel into plastic
products and durable goods.
Over the course of about one
year, we estimate that about
1,000 pounds of apparel have
been diverted from the
landfill
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Reusing buffer drums as
waste collection bins
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Right cycle – recycling
disposable cleanroom and lab
apparel into plastic
products and durable goods.
Over the course of about one
year, we estimate that about
1,000 pounds of apparel have
been diverted from the
landfill
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Recycling and composting programs at
our main facilities