Green culture moves Arpin to sustainability

The process of relocation and storage tends to tax significant energy resources – from the generation of waste, to the use of fuels for travel, to the paper trail that inevitably goes along with it.

As it has grown and evolved, West Warwick-headquartered moving and storage-service company Arpin Group Inc. has kept a keen appraisal of these factors, striving to become as lean and green as possible.

“Devoting time and resources to environmental causes is central to our culture,” Vice President Peter Arpin said of the five-generation, family-owned and operated company. “This is who we are, and we’re proud of what we’ve achieved over the past 115 years.”

Over the past several years, Arpin has implemented energy-efficient, renewable, clean-energy and cost-saving initiatives. As a result, an outside audit found that all of the company’s Rhode Island facilities are powered by 100 percent renewable sources, resulting in zero emissions.

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One of its most significant efforts was the completion of an eco-friendly renovation of its global headquarters. Improvements included: Installing a 174-kilowatt solar array; replacing mechanical HVAC units and swapping roofing for a highly reflective membrane; and incorporating new lighting and occupancy sensors, solar-reflective windows, workstations made of recycled content, and flooring crafted from green materials.

Building on that already substantial base, the company installed a wind turbine through a partnership with North Kingstown-based Wind Energy Development, that, once fully operational later this year, will completely offset its utility usage. To migrate away from traditional packing methods, Arpin also plans to launch a pilot program with select agents nationwide to incorporate reusable crates and pads in day-to-day operations.

“Positive change does not happen by accident,” said Arpin. “Transformation to sustainable business practices requires investments of time and money, and the commitment of an organization to accelerate its journey forward.” •

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