RFAB has been an important model of green construction. The effort not only reduced construction costs, but enabled lower operating costs, helped reduce environmental impact and benefitted neighboring communities.

Although TI has a decades-long legacy of environmental stewardship, its biggest leap was made in 2004 when the company embarked on an ambitious project to build the world's first "green," LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) semiconductor manufacturing facility. Located in Richardson, Texas, the facility was designed to produce cutting-edge technology while keeping construction and operating costs lower than its predecessor and reducing the company's impact on the environment.

This single endeavor not only kicked off TI's charge for building and operating sustainably, but it also was so successful that employees were inspired to seek and invest in more sustainable practices — from designing environmentally-responsible products to recycling waste.

Designing environmentally-responsible products
TI's product designers are encouraged to develop devices that can be manufactured using fewer resources and can help reduce environmental impact during their lifetime.

One of the aims of TI's technology is to reduce energy consumption while increasing energy output, making products that are more powerful yet more efficient. For example, TI is helping automate sensor technology to make roads safer by fastening a special group of sensors to a bridge, which can be powered by the vibrations caused by the cars crossing over it. The bridge could be easily monitored for potential structural problems. These sensors can run off solar power, human body heat or vibrations.

Employees are designing and producing other innovative devices for environmentally-responsible applications, such as e-bikes, solar lamps, LED lights, wind turbines and more.

Cutting consumption
TI's efforts to reduce overall waste are evident in every aspect of its operations.

The company recently rolled out its newest organic recycling program in Dallas – going beyond aluminum cans and paper to recycle organic materials, such as grass clippings, food waste and paper towels. Since a local company collects TI's organic waste and turns it into compost for sale in the community, these compostable scraps now become garden compost that TI and other community members can use

Employees are encouraged to eat in the cafeteria with reusable plates, utensils and cups; to bring their own mug for coffee instead of using a disposable cup; and to throw away food and other recyclable materials in the proper collection containers.

In May, 425 TI employees and contractors from 26 sites worldwide rode a total of 6,500 miles to work to mark the annual Bike to Work Day at TI — just one of the many ways TI employees contribute to preserving the environment.

In addition to recycling, purchasing managers are asked to consider the full impact of purchasing decisions – ranging from where the product was sourced to how it will affect neighboring communities. Managers are encouraged to seek the best value in everything, from pencils to paper to process materials, looking for solutions in every aspect of operations that save money, support site communities and reduce TI's operational footprint.

Employees are also encouraged to cut consumption by turning off computers and lights when not in use, refraining from purchasing single-use items, hosting teleconferences rather than on-site meetings, optimizing travel by individuals and groups, and keeping files electronically rather than printing documents.

Besides individual contributions at work, employees also work together for the goal by participating in community projects like the annual Cottonwood Park cleanup and Bike to Work Day.