Look Ma! No Gas!

Contributed By: Leslie Herndon
September 28, 2022

The Fall Beat, October, 2022

Adopting battery-operated technology has not been without “surprises.”

Our company is growing, and we’re rapidly achieving milestones ahead of projected dates. One of our ongoing goals has been to stay on the front-end of ‘going green.’ Over the course of this year, we’ve purchased a fleet of battery-operated lawnmowers and a variety of battery-operated small-engine tools.

As a result, we’ve reduced our gas bill, minimized repairs, no belts to fix, oil to change. We’re thrilled about shrinking our carbon footprint, and as an added bonus, we’re already seeing positive gains on ROI.

At the rate we’re going, by year three, it’ll be a wash.

As of now, we are on a 5-year trajectory to rely solely on battery-powered equipment: we are currently operating at 20%, next year we’re targeting 30%, and we should be at 100% in year 5.

But adopting this new technology has not been without “surprises.” We’ve blown a few fuses and had to install additional power supply. We’ve also had to figure out how to schedule battery backups so we have enough batteries on job sites and charging station capacity overnight.

That’s okay. We’re pioneering a whole new way to think about our work, our clients, and the planet, and there are bound to be a few hiccups along the way. Nobody’s got it down to a science yet, but in partnership with our suppliers and clients, we’re figuring it out.

So what does this new equipment mean to you?

Simply put, this eco-friendly technology reduces noise pollution and cuts down on carbons emitted into the atmosphere. If you share our concern for the planet, we’d like to partner with you to be good stewards of it. Whether you are our client (yet) or not, reach out to us about using battery-operated equipment on your properties.

But please do so quickly. We don’t yet have the capacity to service all of our clients with battery-operated equipment. That’s coming, but in the meantime, it’s first-come-first-serve.

Welcome Back, Kyle!

Many of you know Kyle Thurman, but for those of you who don’t, Kyle is our newest addition to the Environmental Enhancement team. Previously our resident landscape designer for many years, Kyle took a brief hiatus to be closer to his home in Harpers Ferry, WV. With a Masters in Sustainable Landscape Design at George Washington University, Kyle’s expertise and passion are exactly what we need to meet the demands of the growth mode we’re in—we’re so thrilled he’s back!

“I enjoyed my time exploring other options, but something was missing,” says Kyle. “I spent 13 years helping to build EE into what it is today, and I’m excited to be part of it again.” He describes the procedures, standards of practice, and the overall commitment from the entire team as truly something unique to EE. “A strong bond occurs between team members when working together that long,” he says. “We laugh together, cry together, and celebrate together. I am so excited to be back with my EE family.”

 

Help with Proposal Season

If you haven’t already, be sure to download “The Property Manager’s Pre-Bid Checklist: Setting the Stage for a Knockout Landscaping RFP.” Use this guide to organize your solicitation strategy and help you choose the right landscaping partner to take care of your properties in 2023.

And if we’re not on your vendor list yet, please add us. We would love to get consideration for your 2023 landscaping needs.


Cheers,

Mary Follin
Ask About Xeriscaping Options!
Environmental Enhancements
www.eelandscaping.com
540.764.4433

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