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DowntownDC ecoDistrict

An ecoDistrict is “a neighborhood or district with a broad commitment to accelerate neighborhood-scale sustainability. " The DowntownDC ecoDistrict program is committed to helping make Downtown more sustainable by promoting changes in building construction and management through better energy, water, waste, and transportation management.

Program goals are to:

  • reduce peak and overall energy consumption,
  • enhance the economic performance, market positioning, and market share of Downtown buildings; and
  • develop and promote Downtown DC as one of the most sustainable downtowns in the the world.

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Greening Downtown DC News

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Energy Allies

To provide a service to building owners and managers, the ecoDistrict has enlisted six initial existing energy allies and resources with expertise on a wide range of energy solutions, from audits to finance.
• Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU)
• CoR Advisors®
• Viridity Energy
• Natural Resources Defense Council (NRCD)
• Institute for Market Transformation (IMT)
• DC PACE Commercial (Property Assessed Clean Energy)
 
Fill out a short form to find out how you can use the expertise of the ecoDistrict energy allies.

Public Recycling Program

Thanks to a DowntownDC BID-PepsiCo partnership 363 new recycling bins began appearing on Downtown streets in March of 2011. DC is the nation's first city to partner with PepsiCc's nationwide Dream Machine recycling initiative a program that places kiosks and bins in high traffic public spaces in an effort to increase the US beverage container recycling rate from 34% to 50% by 2018. MORE

ecoDistrict History and Origins

In April 2011, the DowntownDC BID launched the DowntownDC ecoDistrict in order to organize major property owners within our area, aid the city's Better Buildings Challenge and take collective action to reduce the BID area's resource consumption and carbon footprint. Over time, the Eco-District will benefit our businesses by increasing market share and profitability. MORE

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ecoDistrict Leadership

Being Green

The BID is the first organization to undergo an Sustainable Business Network of Washington (SB NOW) audit for eco-friendly practice in its daily operations. In 2008, the BID partnered with the non-profit membership organization to test the pilot program. MORE

ecoDistrict Training Highlights

The Downtown BID hosts training and networking activities for the Downtown business community that encourage the sharing of ideas and best practices. We stress "the triple bottom line," business practices that protect the planet, people and profit.

2012 Building Energy Summit - a step-by-step roadmap for benchmarking their buildings, monitoring real time energy usage, evaluating operational data and more

2010 Downtown DC Eco-District Summit - explored the creation of a highly integrated area to aggressively implement sustainable best practices

2008 Energy Star Training - the first Energy Star training session for Downtown property managers and building engineers TRAINING MATERIALS ARCHIVE

Selected Web Resources

Best Green Blogs   A directory of green and sustainable themed blogs. - - www.bestgreenblogs.com

BuildingGreen   The online Green Directory lists product descriptions for over 2,000 environmentally preferable products. -- www.buildinggreen.com

Casey Trees   Dedicated to restoring, enhancing and protecting the tree canopy of the Nation's Capital. -- www.caseytrees.org/

Cool Capital Challenge   Cool Capital Challenge works with local and national organizations to reduce CO2 emissions in the Capital region. -- www.coolcapitalchallenge.org

DC Department of Public Works – Office of Recycling   - Provides information about recycling services for residential, commercial, education, and outreach. -- www.recycle.dpw.dc.gov/recycle

DC Greenworks   DC Greenworks is green roof advocate and one-stop shop for green roof consultation, design, and installation. -- www.dcgreenworks.org

Eco-Coach   Eco-Coach offers sustainability-consulting solutions for individuals and businesses. -- www.eco-coach.com

Energy Star   A joint program of the U.S. EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy, ENERGY STAR creates and maintains energy efficiency standards for products and practices. -- www.energystar.gov

Going Green   A site dedicated to finding solutions for the sustainability of the planet. Includes blogs, news, and current events. -- www.goinggreen.com

Going Green - MSNBC Special Report   MSNBC.COM's Going Green Special Report includes the latest news and analysis about the business of environmental technology, including hybrid cars, etc. -- www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17950339/

Green DC   A comprehensive information resource for current programs, policies, services, events, and issues concerning the DC environment. -- www.green.dc.gov

Green Guide   National Geographic's online envirionmental magazine featuring green living tips, product reviews, and environmental health news. -- www.thegreenguide.com

Green Home   A learning center and one-stop-shop for green building professionals, policy makers, and the public. -- www.greenhome.org

SB Now   Sustainable Business Network of Washington (SBNOW) provides networking opportunities and a certification program for property owners and tenants within the DC metro area. -- www.sbnow.org

The Daily Green   A site geared toward people who are looking to be more environmentally responsible. Includes news items, blogs, and "green" cuisines. --www.thedailygreen.com

The Urban Forestry Project DC   The Urban Forest Project and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) planted 100 street banners by artists, designers and students in downtown DC to make a powerful visual statement about the environment. Together they have created a forest of thoughtful images in the Nation’s Capital. --http://ddotfiles.com/ufp-dc

Tree Hugger   Tree Hugger is the leading media outlet for sustainability issues. -- www.treehugger.com

Ultimate Green Store   The Ultimate Green Store offers environmentally friendly products home and office. -- www.theultimategreenstore.com

United Green Products   United Green Products in an online supplier of eco-friendly home products. -- www.unitedgreenproducts.com

US Green Building Council   The US Green Building Council is dedicated to expanding green building practices and education and certifies sustainable buildings for businesses, homes, hospitals, schools, and neighborhoods. -- www.usgbc.org

Video: Panel Discussion - A Green Building is a Healthier One   From the National Building Museum's "For the Greener Good" public series - www.nbm.org/media/video/greener-good/a-green-building-is-a-healthier-one.html

Video: Panel Discussion - Divorce Your Car   From the National Building Museum's "For the Greener Good" public series - www.nbm.org/media/video/greener-good/divorce-your-car.html

Video: Panel Discussion - Greening the Supply Chain   From the National Building Museum's "For the Greener Good" public series - www.nbm.org/media/video/greener-good/greening-the-supply-chain.html

Neighborhood Information

Places to:
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Getting from Place to Place

Green Leadership Papers


DowntownDC ecoDistrict: A 21st Century Sustainability Framework
April 2011 PDF [267KB]

At 2010 EcoDistrict Summit co-hosted by the DowntownDC BID and the Urban Land Institute, more than 50 property owners, developers, federal and local officials, financial experts, planners, architects, and lenders came together to initiate the DowntownDC ecoDistrict sustainability program. The EcoDistrict Summit spawned a vision for a sustainable future fueled by efficiencies brought on by cooperation, and a realization that constructing new high-performing buildings and effectively retrofitting existing buildings will call for creative and innovative financing. This paper is a preliminary guide to the DowntownDC ecoDistrict.

DOWNLOAD HERE

Greening Downtown DC: Strategies for Protecting the Planet, People and Profit
July 2008 PDF [248KB]

The ins and outs of the"triple bottom line"

DOWNLOAD HERE