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Growing Better by Going Green for Heads Up Landscape Contractors07-30-13 | News

Growing Better by Going Green for Heads Up Landscape Contractors

Heads Up was founded in 1973 as a four-man residential lawn sprinkler service. Now, it's the 79th largest landscape firm in the U.S., designing, installing and maintaining some of New Mexico's top commercial and residential landscapes. The company also leads the xeriscape industry from its Albuquerque headquarters, employing more than 250 people.

Heads Up Landscape Contractors, celebrating 40 years of service in the Albuquerque and Santa Fe areas, encourages its clients to be good environmental citizens in their choice of landscaping design, installation and maintenance. The company walks its green talk, too.

"In our work, Heads Up is committed to using responsible alternative approaches and technologies in the design and construction of the built environment," said founder and CEO Gary Mallory. "We also try to do our part to be good environmental citizens. At our offices, we recycle green waste, utilize cisterns, capture storm water, and strive to conserve energy. We have replaced a number of trucks in our fleet with smaller, fuel-efficient cars. And, we're looking for new ways to conserve every day."

The company looks for new ways to recycle, conserve water, and use less fuel: by recycling 7 million pounds of green waste, and capturing 120,000 gallons of rainwater and snow each year to irrigate the landscaping at its headquarters. Area architects and students often use the company's cistern system as a model.

Another step towards going green was replacing 20 of its gas-guzzling trucks with smaller, more efficient cars to reduce greenhouse emissions. There's plans to replace more in the coming years. It also installed GPS units on its maintenance trucks to efficiently design routes and cut down on idling time in traffic. The company is also rolling out a fleet of nine reduced emissions propane turf mowers.

The company changed out its light fixtures and light bulbs for energy efficient CFLs. It also encourages its customers to convert thirsty lawns with xeric plants and water saving design. LEED-accredited professionals help streamline the process of documentation and certification for projects.

For more information, visit www.headsuplandscape.com, or contact Eddie Padilla, VP of Business Development, 505-898-9615 or epadilla@hulc.com