MasterCard's largest facility, its IT center in O'Fallon, Missouri, has received Gold certification in the LEED for Existing Buildings rating system. The facility, which is home to the company's main data center, is the first project in the state to earn LEED-EB certification, which was based on its energy use, lighting, water and materials; as well as the integration of sustainable strategies into the building's daily operations and maintenance.
MasterCard constructed the campus more than 10 years ago, and has implemented a number of sustainable features and practices, including occupancy sensors in conferences rooms, composting all non-protein and yard waste on site, offering remote access for workers when appropriate, and installing Energy Star rated ice machines.
Rick Fedrizzi, president of the U.S. Green Building Council, said building operations are nearly 40 percent of the solution to the global climate change challenge, adding that while climate change is global problem, firms such as MasterCard are addressing it locally.
GreenChoice Nears Its Launch
Slated to be the first holistically sustainable community bank in the Midwest, GreenChoice has recently boosted its operations in preparation for the launch of its brand in first quarter 2011. The Chicago area bank, which will rely on Web-enabled loan and deposit technology to provide energy- efficient environment, has hired GreenMark to provide marketing and media support. The bank has also acquired Family Federal Savings, a move that will expand the bank's geographic footprint to include more of the Chicago metropolitan area.
