Environmental Care
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is taking a leadership position in helping protect our environment for generations to come. We aim to use natural resources efficiently and minimize the environmental impacts of our activities and products during their lifecycles.
Green initiatives
For example, the company's two newest buildings and parking garage on the East Hanover Campus (known as the "East Village") embodies "sustainable design" – construction that reduces use of non-renewable resources, minimizes environmental impact and land disturbance and fosters a health workplace.*
These sustainable design features include:
- Energy efficient roof that minimizes energy usage and lasts longer than a traditional roof;
- Recycled waste during construction, including metals, ceiling tiles, glass, bottles, paper and plastic;
- Clean renewable sources of energy like wind and hydroelectric power;
- Bathroom fixtures that reduce water consumption;
- A 1,075-car parking garage that includes preferred parking for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles and bike storage for those who ride;
- Special attention to indoor air quality during construction by using high performance filters to prevent construction dust from entering duct work and using construction materials like low-emitting paints, sealants, adhesives and carpeting;
- Open floor plan with access to natural daylight and under-floor air distribution system for greater individual temperature control, comfort and air quality;
- Scenic landscape that fosters interaction and preserves natural environment.
In addition, the company has adopted several important eco-friendly measures, including:
- Recycling over 250 tons of cardboard, 6,000 pounds of aluminum and 7,000 fluorescent tubes a year.
- Using compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL's) for most screw-in light fixtures on campus. CFL's use 75 percent less energy that standard incandescent bulbs and last 10 times longer.
- Leasing 700 hybrid vehicles and 100 fuel-efficient diesel cars for its sales representatives.
- Using a hybrid vehicle (Toyotal Prius) for transporting employees around campus and two Ford Escape hybrids for use by Security for patrolling and responding to emergencies.
- Installing a group of solar panels (called a solar array) on the roof of Building 405. This solar array produces 140,000 kilowatts annually – the equivalent of supplying energy to 2,800 homes.
- Using light sensors in most offices and conference rooms that shut off automatically when people leave.
- Using green cleaning products.
*Novartis has registered the East Village buildings and parking garage for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.