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10 Companies Utilizing Green Construction

Bank of America

Bank of America, one of the largest banks in the United States, also owns one of the newest, tallest and greenest skyscrapers in Manhattan. Completed in 2009, the Bank of America Tower in New York City achieved Platinum LEED certification, the highest level of certification, and the honor of being the first high-rise commercial office building with the distinction.

You can imagine, then, that it has some impressive green features. Air quality was a priority, for instance, as an air filtration system effectively removes 95 percent of particulates. An air monitoring system measures not only carbon monoxide, but also carbon dioxide, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and small particulates.

The building also captures rainwater and recycles graywater. The building even has a co-generation plant that offers about 65 percent of the building's electricity. At night, electricity from the plant is used to make ice that is melted for cooling during the day. A vast majority of the waste produced from demolition and construction was recycled or diverted from a landfill. Recycled materials were used when possible in the construction materials, and the building includes a green roof and reflective pavers to offset the urban heat island effect.

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