Google Boasts Its Green Credentials with Sustainable Buildings and Workplaces

Google isn't shy about boasting of its green cred, but at least it's got something to rely upon, since the company does really go beyond what most others of its size do to ensure that its business has as little impact on the environment as possible.

Its latest achievement, so to speak, is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification for a building it revamped at its Googleplex headquarters. While Google has gotten Gold certifications for other buildings there, its the first time it managed to get Platinum.

Google actually goes a long way to ensure that its buildings are both healthy for its workers, but also use sustainable and green building materials.

"When it comes to greening our office buildings, we apply the same focus that we use for any of our products: put the user first. We want to create the healthiest work environments possible where Googlers can thrive and innovate," Anthony Ravitz, Green Team Lead, Real Estate & Workplace Services, wrote.

"From concept through design, construction and operations, we create buildings that function like living and breathing systems by optimizing access to nature, clean air and daylight," he said.

When constructing the buildings, or refurbishing them, Google strives to use only materials that don't contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or harmful substances.

It's also working on a country wide initiative to have building materials list what they contain, to make sure they don't have anything that could be a risk.

Constructing the buildings is only half the battle, Google also strives to operate them with minimum impact. It's using efficient heating, cooling and lighting systems, many adapted for each particular building.

When it comes to electricity, Google gets 30 percent of its peak consumption from the solar panels it has all over Googleplex, which you've probably noticed if you've seen a photo of the building complex.

Google also uses renewable energy to power its data centers when possible, it has invested several hundred million of dollars this year alone in wind and solar projects.