Global express mail company TNT has held an opening ceremony for its first CO2 emission-free facility in the Dutch town of Veenendaal. The depot, built by VolkerWessels, is the first in a series of 'green' buildings TNT plans to use as part of its Planet Me environmental programme.
Global express mail company TNT has held an opening ceremony for its first CO2 emission-free facility in the Dutch town of Veenendaal. The depot, built by VolkerWessels, is the first in a series of 'green' buildings TNT plans to use as part of its Planet Me environmental programme.
TNT aims to drastically reduce the CO2 emissions at all its facilities, comprising some 3 million m2 of space in 65 countries.
TNT said the building in Veenendaal is designed to allow in as much daylight as possible, reducing the amount of artificial light required. The building produces its own energy in a sustainable way. More than 300 solar panels collect sunlight and convert it into energy. Water is pumped from the ground to heat and cool the building.
The depot was designed in close collaboration with the VolkerWessels construction company. TNT required the building to be CO2 neutral in operation.
'VolkerWessels focused on the end users' wishes for the duration of the building project. Their concerted efforts led to creative solutions, including collecting rainwater for flushing eco-toilets and selecting low-energy coffee machines and recyclable furniture. Second-hand clinkers were used for paving. The choice of larger on-site containers for paper and non-recyclable reduces the need for emptying,' TNT said.
Developer OVG and Triodos Group are developing TNT's first 'green' office that will be built in Hoofddorp, the Netherlands. TNT said that all new green offices will be located close to public transport stations and accessible to all TNT’s employees, regardless of their division or department. The new offices will also be closer to most employees’ homes, thus reducing carbon emissions from commuting traffic.
TNT's new head office in Hoofddorp should be ready by the second half 2010. The head office will be the first of several 'green offices to be built across the Netherlands. The total portfolio will contain approximately 70.000 m2 of sustainable office space.
TNT said it will rent this office at comparable or lower costs to its current rented head office in Hoofddorp.
