Dell was recently named a Platinum-level Green Business Leader under the City of Austin’s new program. In a ceremony held June 14, Mayor Lee Leffingwell recognized Dell for operating in a way that protects the environment, enhances the community, supports local culture and maintains a healthy workplace. Dell was a founding member of the initiative, providing input to help city staff identify the types of sustainable actions achievable by local businesses of all sizes and types.

To qualify for the highest level of recognition, Dell first completed a detailed scorecard describing its local environmental and health programs. Staff from the city’s sustainability office then visited the Parmer South campus, where they met with Dell employees and saw first-hand some of Dell’s achievements. A few highlights:

  • Energy-efficient lighting, air conditioning system and technology upgrades throughout the buildings and data center
  • The Connected Workplace program, which provides collaborative work spaces for teleworkers when they need to come into the office
  • Recycling collection containers throughout the buildings
  • A sustainable foods initiative in partnership with our on-site food service provider, focusing on healthy eating, locally-sourced produce and waste prevention
  • Employee awareness events and community involvement held by our sustainability employee resource group, Planet
  • Programs that promote employee health and wellness, including an on-site fitness center
  • Greener landscaping programs, including some areas returned to native grasses and wildflowers, and a new “smart” landscape irrigation system that will help reduce water use during the summer months
  • An on-site packaging waste composting demonstration project
  • Community collection events for used electronics.

Dell’s Austin office, manufacturing and data center facilities are located just south of its headquarters in Round Rock. Altogether, these Central Texas operations purchased and generated 114 million kWh of green electricity — reducing Dell’s carbon footprint by the equivalent of more than 7,000 homesIdea — and recycled more than 7,000 tons of waste in fiscal year 2012.

To learn more about what Dell does for the environment across its operations, please visit www.dell.com/environment.

Idea According to the EPA’s Green Power Equivalency calculator: http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/pubs/calculator.htm