Bergman Real Estate touts sustainability initiatives

Bergman Real Estate Group has a 2 million-square-foot office portfolio and it’s looking to make a big impact across that space with the announcement of several sustainability initiatives.

The moves are part of Bergman Cares, launched in 2020 to offer amenities “that aim to promote health, safety and well-being of tenant employees” across the firm’s managed properties.

According to the Iselin-based company, the investments in renewable energy and sustainability cover a wide range, including:

• using green-certified cleaning products supplies
• switching to sustainable products, like bathroom supplies made with high-recycled content
• using paints low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
• deploying energy-efficient LED lighting
• installing HVAC systems that optimize energy consumption for better climate control
• instituting recycling programs at all buildings
• putting in electric vehicle (EV) charging stations (currently operational at a Roseland property with more scheduled throughout 2022)
• establishing bike-sharing programs

“Prioritizing a healthy workplace goes beyond the enhanced HVAC filtration and cleaning procedures – it’s a holistic view that takes into account what’s important for employees and therefore to tenants as their businesses attract talent,” said CEO and President Michael Bergman. “Offering environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions on a large scale is important for businesses and their employees alike, as they want to work with companies doing their part to support a greener world.”

At the heart of the sustainability efforts is a rooftop solar panel initiative that Chief Operating Officer Steven Bergman said the company has been developing for the past 10 years that will help to both “lower the carbon footprint of our properties while saving tenants money.”

The company projects annual energy savings of nearly 20%. That, with the fixed cost of solar, adds approximately $1 million in value, according to Steven Bergman.

And the firm has plans to add renewable energy baked into each property’s capital improvements program.

“We are making a major commitment to our tenants and our joint venture partners by investing in a cleaner and more environmentally friendly world,” he added. “We want to do as much as we can to be a sustainable partner.”

Additionally, under a unique partnership, Bergman is joining with nonprofit American Forests to plant trees at its properties. Bergman said it will plant trees for each new lease at any of its properties in new tenants’ names.