Green Star, Inc.

AMC Engineers has evolved as a professional engineering firm since it initially achieved the Green Star Award as Adams, Morgenthaler & Company, Inc. in 1995. Major changes include a name change and a recent move to a new location. Despite these changes, one thing has remained constant – AMC’s commitment to environmental responsibility and workplace efficiency. AMC Engineers provides a full range of mechanical and electrical engineering services for buildings and related facilities.

AMC is proud of its efforts to change the habits of the entire office, getting staff members to rethink waste and recycling. By making recycling easy and convenient, AMC made the transition to a green workplace comfortable process for staff. AMC recycles office paper, mixed paper, cardboard, newspaper, magazines, phone books, aluminum cans, and toner cartridges. More than 530 pounds of material is recycled at AMC each year. The Green Star Team at AMC feels that much of the credit for the success of the program is due to strong management support for good environmental practices.

AMC began its Green Star initiatives by installing energy-saving lamps throughout its office after determining that the cost of the investment in new lamps could be recovered in less than two months. Office supplies and paper are purchased with a preference for “green” items. Used folders and binders are set aside to be relabeled and used again.

An office relocation in April 2001 provided AMC an opportunity to incorporate several energy-saving measures into the design of the space. Our fluorescent fixtures are equipped with low-mercury, high-efficiency T-8s, and electronic ballasts. Many individual offices have installed energy-saving motion sensor light switches. The energy efficient dishwasher is a new built-in design item, which reduces the amount of disposable cups and paper items previously used. The purchase of a new Plotter machine, which uses regular recycled paper instead of non-recyclable thermal paper, is another Green Star consideration. The new ventilation systems serving AMC’s offices operate only when the space is occupied. The ventilation systems run during normal business office hours Monday through Friday. When there is a need to work during off-hours, zones of the ventilation system can accommodate small area needs without operating the entire system. The system is divided into zones with independent timers, and a user can set the timer in their work area only.

Other Green Star efforts include routing magazines and informational papers throughout the office and using email to communicate internally. Routing information saves reams of paper and copy machine time. A morning e-newsletter allows AMCE staff to share items of interest with the entire office with no need for memos on paper. For example, a reminder is placed in the e-newsletter on the day recycled paper is picked up. A quick response to all junk mail senders has reduced the mail pile by half a foot a day. Anyone receiving unwanted mail simply writes “junk” across the item and tosses it in the basket for removal. Staff also has reduced the receipt of fax machine junk mail by sending return fax letters to offenders stating the U.S. Code prohibiting use of a telephone facsimile machine to send unsolicited advertisement to a telephone facsimile machine.

AMC strongly believes that its office environment will continue to meet the Green Star mission for it also encompasses the AMC Mission Statement, “Crafting safe comfortable and efficient environments for people to live, work and play.”

AMC Engineers http://www.amc-engineers.com


	AMC ENGINEERS 701 East Tudor Road, Suite 250 Anchorage, AK 99503 (907) 257-9108 34 employees Award Date: February 9, 1995 Green Business Success Story AMC Engineers has evolved as a professional engineering firm since it initially achieved the Green Star Award as Adams, Morgenthaler & Company, Inc. in 1995. Major changes include a name change and a recent move to a new location. Despite these changes, one thing has remained constant – AMC’s commitment to environmental responsibility and workplace efficiency. AMC Engineers provides a full range of mechanical and electrical engineering services for buildings and related facilities. AMC is proud of its efforts to change the habits of the entire office, getting staff members to rethink waste and recycling. By making recycling easy and convenient, AMC made the transition to a green workplace comfortable process for staff. AMC recycles office paper, mixed paper, cardboard, newspaper, magazines, phone books, aluminum cans, and toner cartridges. More than 530 pounds of material is recycled at AMC each year. The Green Star Team at AMC feels that much of the credit for the success of the program is due to strong management support for good environmental practices. AMC began its Green Star initiatives by installing energy-saving lamps throughout its office after determining that the cost of the investment in new lamps could be recovered in less than two months. Office supplies and paper are purchased with a preference for “green” items. Used folders and binders are set aside to be relabeled and used again. An office relocation in April 2001 provided AMC an opportunity to incorporate several energy-saving measures into the design of the space. Our fluorescent fixtures are equipped with low-mercury, high-efficiency T-8s, and electronic ballasts. Many individual offices have installed energy-saving motion sensor light switches. The energy efficient dishwasher is a new built-in design item, which reduces the amount of disposable cups and paper items previously used. The purchase of a new Plotter machine, which uses regular recycled paper instead of non-recyclable thermal paper, is another Green Star consideration. The new ventilation systems serving AMC’s offices operate only when the space is occupied. The ventilation systems run during normal business office hours Monday through Friday. When there is a need to work during off-hours, zones of the ventilation system can accommodate small area needs without operating the entire system. The system is divided into zones with independent timers, and a user can set the timer in their work area only. Other Green Star efforts include routing magazines and informational papers throughout the office and using email to communicate internally. Routing information saves reams of paper and copy machine time. A morning e-newsletter allows AMCE staff to share items of interest with the entire office with no need for memos on paper. For example, a reminder is placed in the e-newsletter on the day recycled paper is picked up. A quick response to all junk mail senders has reduced the mail pile by half a foot a day. Anyone receiving unwanted mail simply writes “junk” across the item and tosses it in the basket for removal. Staff also has reduced the receipt of fax machine junk mail by sending return fax letters to offenders stating the U.S. Code prohibiting use of a telephone facsimile machine to send unsolicited advertisement to a telephone facsimile machine. AMC strongly believes that its office environment will continue to meet the Green Star mission for it also encompasses the AMC Mission Statement, “Crafting safe comfortable and efficient environments for people to live, work and play.” AMC Engineers http://www.amc-engineers.com