When Triumvirate Environmental’s CEO, John McQuillan saw the Chemical Waste Disposal waste storage site in the heart of New York City’s Astoria district, it seemed to be a perfect fit. With a solid, 15-year track record as a leading provider of environmental services throughout New England, McQuillan believed the time was right to expand into the Mid-Atlantic market. The New York facility presented a great site right in the middle of the action. The only drawback: the property had a long history of significant soil and groundwater contamination.

Instead of turning their back on the problem, Triumvirate is working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NY DEC) to transform the site into an industry model. Remediation of the site to RCRA standards is just the first step. As part of their permit renewal process with NY DEC, Triumvirate is investigating ways to ‘green’ the facility, including the use of environmentally preferred materials and the installation of a green roof (i.e., a roof covered with grass or other vegetation) in order to reduce the building’s energy use and to help improve air quality in the community. The NYC facility will be among the first hazardous waste storage facilities to pursue sustainable building practices and potentially Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. ...

You need to register to view the rest of the article. Click here to subscribe.