If there is one buzz phrase that is fast becoming common in every business, self storage or otherwise, it is “going green.” By “going green” businesses are accomplishing multiple objectives that all lead to one goal—turning a profit.
For the most part, when people are talking about “going green” they are referring to a variety of different energy saving initiatives geared towards lowering utility expenses and decreasing the carbon footprint that the facility leaves on the environment.
A number of self storage facilities have begun converting to solar energy by installing solar panels. Extra Space Storage, the second largest self storage company in the country, earlier this year embarked on an impressive initiative to convert a large number of facilities to solar energy over the next five years.
Over the next five years, Extra Space Storage has made plans to install 100,000 solar panels at the rate of 20,000 a year.
“Everyone has the ability to affect change,” Hardy said.
Environmentally friendly initiatives might be the most well-known way to “go green,” but they are not the only way. Store Self Storage and Wine Storage in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, is going green a different way.
Every Saturday during the summer Store Self Storage and Wine Storage turned into a green market. What that means is if you wanted to buy fresh, organic produce and other all-natural products than Store Self Storage was the place you wanted to be.
"Public demand has been very overwhelming," said Rhea Slinger, a manager at Store Self Storage.
Turning the facility into an open air market is not something that many businesses, self storage or otherwise would think to do. The first weekend that the market was held at the facility the benefit was clear. Over 1,200 people visited the market, and each one received a reusable shopping bag with the logo of the self storage facility on it.
"We want people to see us and know who we are," Slinger added. "We are a venue as well as a storage facility."
So far the facility has seen 6-12 new rentals come from visitors to the weekend market. With the quality of product offered at the green market, the traffic is expected to remain high.
"It's definitely worth the trip," said Adam Hastie of Palm Beach Gardens. "I just bought some Maine lobsters for five dollars each."
Even though they may come for the cheap lobster, the hope is that some will stay for the storage.
Sources Used:
“Covered green market fills niche in summer season.” The Palm Beach Post; 14 September 2011.
“Extra Space Storage Leads the Way in Solar Energy.” Self Storage Industry News; 29 July 2011.