Digging DIRTT

The City of Calgary’s list of annual Calgary Awards winners has just been announced. DIRTT Environmental Solutions has been recognized for its environmental achievements in protecting and enhancing the environment. The award will be made at the 2009 Calgary Awards ceremony on June 9 at the Calgary Municipal Building. DIRTT joins 16 other recipients being honoured for significant contributions to improving the quality of life in Calgary.

DIRTT – Doing It Right This Time – is built on an ethic of sustainability in all aspects of its operations. Not only does DIRTT produce a highly sustainable, flexible and enduring product with its pre-engineered modular walls, but its operations are environmentally friendly as well. They include the city’s largest collection of solar panels, which power all of the electrical needs in the company’s head office. DIRTT’s proprietary software ICE® underlies everything DIRTT does and results in lead times that are a fraction of the industry standard, reducing inventory and the footprint of the manufacturing plant. The company uses water-soluble paint finishes, is FSC-certified for wood products, and reduces packaging materials with a unique “Cookie” system that is recycled from project to project. Drivers of energy-efficient cars and carpoolers are rewarded on a monthly basis.

Each year, the Calgary Awards recognize individuals, corporations, community groups and organizations in five major award categories. Citizens of the city are invited to contribute suggestions, making the final selection a reflection of wide-spread regard.