ECB Building Management Spearheads Model Recycling Program in San Francisco's Presidio National Park

San Francisco, Calif. - May 9, 2005 - The Thoreau Center for Sustainability, a multi-tenant nonprofit center, was honored with a first place CORY Award at the 5th Annual Commercial Recycler of the Year Awards in San Francisco on April 29, 2005. The Commercial Recycler of the Year Awards pay tribute to top office buildings, food establishments and hotels that have demonstrated a commitment to the environment through their recycling programs, leadership, policies and innovations.

The award program is hosted by Building and Office Managers Association (BOMA) San Francisco, in conjunction with the San Francisco Department of the Environment and Golden Gate Disposal and Recycling Company.

Thoreau Center for Sustainability received first place in the Small Building category and was chosen for it's extensive recycling programs which include the recycling of batteries, cell phones, light bulbs and printer cartridges, in addition to the usual paper, glass and can recycling. Thoreau Center uses 100% post consumer waste paper products, green janitorial cleaning products, and composts its kitchen waste in office spaces and at the onsite Acre Café. It also has an education program about recycling for its tenants.

"It's an honor to win this award and a direct reflection of the hard work of our staff and the tenants of Thoreau Center to make our recycling program a success," said Becky Bacon, Thoreau Center Building Manager, ECB Management Services. "We intend to keep up our efforts to support a clean and healthy environment for everyone in the city of San Francisco."

The Thoreau Center buildings were renovated from their former dilapidated state as the Letterman Hospital buildings in 1996. The renovation incorporated green building principles using recycled building materials and an energy efficient design; and the Center's mission is to live in harmony with nature.

About Thoreau Center for Sustainability

Located in the historic Letterman Hospital buildings of San Francisco's Presidio National Park, Thoreau Center for Sustainability is a highly successful multi-tenant nonprofit center. This 12 building facility houses over 60 organizations and 400 people working for social and environmental sustainability as well as two community-oriented art galleries. Thoreau Center has incorporated green design and historic preservation in its buildings and is an operating model for other multi-tenant nonprofit centers.

Thoreau Center is a program of Tides, through it's nonprofit real estate initiative, Tides Shared Spaces. Tides is a group of nonprofits that share a common vision for a healthy society. Tides includes, Tides Foundation, Tides Center, Tides, Inc., Groundspring.org and Community Clinics Initiative. For more information, visit www.thoreau.org, www.nonprofitcenters.org or www.tides.org.

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