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As we enter a new era of “Green” living, the real estate industry has made many contributions greening up its development practices. Sustainable real estate development has been a great first step, but it’s not the only component in this movement.
What happens when the development of a property includes remediating contaminated parcels, which may create added stressors to the environment? The idea is to implement a more eco-friendly remediation approach that lessens the environmental impact. The answer is Green Remediation.
What is Green Remediation?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines Green Remediation as the practice of considering all environmental effects of remedy implementation and incorporating options to maximize the net environmental benefit of clean-up actions.
While development on a brownfield site requires remediation, green efforts throughout the clean-up process should be considered, as it would be counter-productive if the environmental clean-up itself becomes the culprit for environmental pollution.
The “Green” remediation process for Brownfield cleanup
Green remediation calls for the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs). BMPs calls for the reduction on the “footprint” of remediation and mitigates collateral environmental damage.
There are four main components for the remediation/development process where Best Management Practices may be considered:
1. Deconstruction, demolition and removal
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Use fuel efficient, cleaner fuel burning vehicles and equipment.
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2. Cleanup, remediation and waste management
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Incorporate ways to re-cycle or reuse wastes to minimize disposal in landfills or other waste disposal facilities.
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3. Design and construction for reuse
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Consider engineered or landscaped features to capture water runoff
for reuse.
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4. Sustainable use and long-term stewardship
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Exercising energy efficient and eco friendly building materials and products within the redevelopment structure.
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The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) looks at this process as a “Life-Cycle Framework”. One must not only consider the most effective and protective remedy but take into account the raw materials, equipment and products used in remedy implementation, not to mention the stress involved that may exert on the ecosystem and the community.
Implementing Green Remediation on Brownfield sites
Brownfield sites are typically located within urban settings and are often surrounded by operating businesses and residential communities. Strategies considered before a remedial project begins are designed to lessen the impact that remediation generates in the surrounding communities thus reducing exposure to hazards such as toxic fumes and particulates. The strategy is to use BMPs during remedy selection and implementation and use the most effective BMP methods throughout the stages of land re-use and revitalization.
An example would be to consider the use of low emission, heavy equipment. Excavators and loaders can be equipped to use low sulfur fuels that produce less greenhouse gases (GHGs).
Water conservation is another critical element for going green in brownfield remediation. Treated ground water can be collected and re-introduced into the eco-system. The same strategies can translate into developments with eco-friendly buildings and structures as prescribed in the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system.
Other methods of green remediation would be to use recycled products, bio-based products, bio-fuels and renewable energy sources.
The price of going green
Since green remediation is still in its infancy, there is not an abundant amount of data and research findings to substantiate the correlation between green remediation and its impact on ROI. However, like many the green practices coming of age, the costs would likely be higher up-front in having methods such as low GHG emitting equipment and energy efficient clean-up systems put in place. Once established, the use of these strategies may in fact result in cost savings.
Consider a scenario where despite the higher costs up-front, the flip-side would be longer term savings in energy costs and a more community-friendly development project.
Green Remediation, a happening new trend?
One can trace back the EPA’s involvement in green remediation since its strategic planning for environmental stewardship in 2006. Remediation companies have presented their perspective on sustainable remediation, which is the equivalent to BMPs in Green Remediation, at recent conferences and seminars. The trend is slow but is increasing as the green movement as a whole is gaining speed.
The responsibilities companies assume in green remediation
Many companies are already moving in a greener direction with their operations by implementing sustainability policies or obtaining “green” certification. Since most of these policies promote sustainability as the end-use, there will no doubt be a push for going green at the development level of a project to reduce the environmental stressors that are caused from site remediation.
Future outlook
The future of remedial technologies for Brownfield development is looking greener every day, as we aim to reduce the “footprint” of remediation and mitigate collateral environmental damage, such as air pollution, water cycle imbalance, soil erosion, ecological impacts and GHG emissions through BMPs.
With the collaboration of the industry, it only follows that the concepts of “Green Remediation” will be implemented in both Brownfield and non-Brownfield remedial actions in the years to come.
EnviroFinance Group looks forward to seeing this trend increase in the future as it will work to finance even more sustainable and protective Brownfield developments. |
