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In reply to the discussion: After protest, Amazon workers finally get AC (some work in 110 degree temps for $11/hr) [View all]suffragette
(12,232 posts)I thought this might be the case and it did not take me long to find the info on sustainable building practices by Costco I posted upthread to contrast.
Good to know that the more humane and sustainable systems are becoming the norm.
Something I noticed during my search is that more companies are also utilizing all that flat roof space that comes with warehouses by adding solar panels.
A quick search found the above on Costco
This from UPS:
http://pressroom.ups.com/Press+Releases/Archive/2011/Q2/ci.UPS+to+Harness+Solar+Power+at+New+Jersey+Facility.print
UPS to Harness Solar Power at New Jersey Facility
Atlanta, June 15, 2011
PS (NYSE: UPS) today announced it had installed a rooftop solar array on its Lakewood, N.J., facility, completing a project that will provide a significant portion of the building's peak energy needs. The installation is the first in a series of investments planned by UPS to increase the company's reliance on renewable energy.
The 250 kilowatt (kW) solar power system in New Jersey is expected to produce 270,000 kW hours of electricity annually, providing nearly 30% of the building's annual energy needs. The solar installation also reduces the facility's dependence on the local electric grid. UPS is assessing other facilities now to gauge their suitability for solar installations.
~~~
he 70,000-square-foot Lakewood facility uses a system consisting of 1,036 solar panels, or 62,160 individual photovoltaic cells, installed on the facility's roof space. The facility harnesses light from the sun during the day, feeding the power into the public energy grid. At night, when the package sorting operations take place, UPS consumes energy from the grid. UPS took advantage of New Jersey's net metering rules, which offer compensation for generating excess power during the day and selling it back to the utility.
"The nature of our operation means we use most of our energy at night, so during the day much of the electricity produced by this system will flow back to the grid to support the utilities peak," said Wicker. "At night, when we're sorting the packages, we will draw from the grid the energy needed to power the facility."
This from a freight line warehouse:
http://www.the-dispatch.com/article/20120221/news05/302219989?tc=ar
Old Dominion installs solar panels at Thomasville warehouse
Published: Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 1:44 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 1:44 p.m.
Old Dominion Freight Line has installed rooftop solar panels on its warehouse in Thomasville, the first solar panel system in the company's nationwide network of facilities.
The 1.8-megawatt system, comprised of 7,660 individual solar panels that completely cover the company's 160,000-square-foot roof, is the third-largest rooftop solar panel project of its kind in North Carolina. The system, which has been operating since late December, can produce more than 2.2 million kilowatt hours of electricity a year, enough to offset more than 90 percent of the building's annual energy costs.
This results in an environmental benefit of reducing CO2 emissions by a projected 1,547 metric tons.
The solar panel system is a sound investment for Old Dominion from both an economic and environmental perspective," said Jayna Long, manager of sustainability at Old Dominion. "The electricity produced by the panels is routed into the local power grid and will fulfill the energy needs of nearly 200 homes this year. We are committed to environmental stewardship projects and are using this solar project to determine the feasibility of installing alternative power sources in other facilities in our network."
Edison has even launched a program to install these for community electrical needs and compensates the companies for doing so:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/environment/2010-04-12-rooftopsolar12_CV_N.htm
Edison blankets warehouse roofs with solar panels
Seems Amazon has been making all the wrong choices. This could be their wake-up call to improve practices to effect better labor and community relations and create more sustainable operations that would be better for them in the long term and better for all who work or purchase from them.