Green building tenants more productive, sick less

Green building tenants more productive, sick less - Study

Nov. 16

Tenants in green buildings are more productive and use fewer sick days, a new study by the University of San Diego and CB Richard Ellis Group Inc. reports

Green buildings also have lower vacancy and higher rental rates, according to the report, "Do Green Buildings Make Dollars and Sense?"

Environmentally friendly, or green buildings, have vacancy rates that are 3.5% lower and rental rates that are 13% higher than the market, the study indicated.

"The results of this project are beginning to demonstrate the very real and positive impact of sustainable buildings for both our owners and tenant occupants. We have been seeking ways to make an empirical case for the economic benefits of sustainable practices and the results of this study exceeded our expectations," said CBRE´s national director of sustainability, Dave Pogue, national director of sustainability at CBRE, a commercial real estate services firm.

Those responding to the survey reported an average decrease of 2.88 sick days in their green offices compared to their previous non-green offices. And 55% of the respondents said that employee productivity improved.

Contact Waste & Recycling News senior reporter Jim Johnson at 937-964-1289 or jpjohnson@crain.com

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