Our Greenspace Initiative

There's a problem with our planet's environment. We realize that our data centers' emissions and power consumption contribute to the problem. While Rackspace doesn't claim to have the absolute answer, we are committed to contributing our part toward the larger picture. It's going to take industry leaders like Rackspace Hosting to step up and admit there are much more environmentally friendly ways of doing things.

We are focusing our efforts in three categories:

1. Company Conservation
2. Customer Offerings
3. Employee Education

Company Conservation

What can Rackspace as a company do for the environment?
With eight data centers worldwide producing thousands of tons of CO2 a year, Rackspace knows the way we've been doing things has to change. We are dedicated to energy conservation and exploring new and alternative ways to conduct our business.

Rackspace designs all of its data centers with power conservation in mind and leverages energy efficient hardware and equipment.

Rackspace has always leveraged energy efficient hardware and equipment in the data center.

• In 2005, Rackspace adopted the Dual-Core AMD Opteron Series processors, which consume less electricity than prior processor models.
• Rackspace recently introduced the latest generations of both Intel and AMD low voltage processors, which allow customers to generate power savings when right-sizing their configuration.

Rackspace also has a handful of internal programs in their corporate offices including:

• Recycling bins located throughout the building for plastic, aluminum and paper
• Rackspace will begin mulching and using non pesticide based chemicals for lawn maintenance
• Rackspace will be replacing all non-biodegradable products used in the break rooms like foam cups and plates to more biodegradable ones
• Rackspace uses one of the only green certified office cleaners in the San Antonio area. This cleaner will provide recycled products in restrooms and kitchens. They will also use environmentally friendly cleaning chemicals.

Employee Education

What can Rackers do?
Rackspace has held two "Green Days", company-wide fairs aimed at educating "Rackers" about conservation, recycling and other eco-friendly programs offered around the city and state.

The following is a list of vendors who attended "Green Day"

The City of San Antonio Environmental Services Department provided information on recycling, what is recyclable and where Rackers can get the green recycling bins for their homes.

Solar San Antonio provided information on how solar energy works to decrease energy costs and improve the quality of life in San Antonio and South Texas.

Metro Partnership for Energy works to increase San Antonio's energy efficiency and sustainability by providing the region with energy leadership, education and expertise.

Keep San Antonio Beautiful is a non-profit organization aimed at reducing the amount of garbage and litter around the city.

Texas Department of Agriculture—Local Farmer's Market information and details on the Go Texan Campaign.

North Park Lexus of San Antonio brought an RX 400H Hybrid for employees to test drive. Rackspace is investigating the possibility of providing a Racker hybrid rebate.

Clothesline Cleaners is the only dry cleaner in town offering natural garment cleaning and serves as a natural alternative to traditional dry cleaning.

Aveda Institute of San Antonio came to promote their environmentally friendly products whose chemicals are not animal tested. They also provided Rackers free hand and back massages.

Corona Visions recycles electronic devices and picked up the following from Rackers: Cell phones, Computers, Pagers, VCRs, DVDs/CDs, Bulbs, Lamps and Pill bottles. They also picked up monitors and TVs for a slight charge.

The Sierra Club of San Antonio's mission is to explore, enjoy and protect the wild places of the earth; practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources; educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives.

Friends of the Parks whose objective is to broaden the base of supporters and advocates for the public park system of San Antonio; to provide a stronger link between neighborhoods, individual citizens and the parks; and to create and renovate more park spaces for the enjoyment of all citizens.

Earth Share of Texas is an umbrella organization of 70 local, state, national and international nonprofit environmental groups. Employees all across Texas can support Earth Share of Texas and its participating organizations through their payroll contribution plans. Contributions can also be made directly to Earth Share of Texas. Earth Share of Texas began in 1992 as the Environmental Fund for Texas.

Segway of San Antonio brought their signature Segways for Rackers to try out as an alternative to traditional transportation.

CPS Energy San Antonio's local energy supplier discussed residential purchases of windtricity, lightbulb usage, rebates, and their 'Mow Down Smog' program.

Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation provides rescue, rehabilitation, and release of orphaned, injured, and displaced wildlife, and provides sanctuary with dignity for non-releasable and non-native wild animals.

Bexar Land Trust is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creatively protecting land and natural, cultural, and historic resources in Bexar County and the surrounding area for the good of present and future generations.

Vespas of San Antonio is not just a scooter. It is one of the great icons of Italian style and elegance, and with more than 16 million units produced, is well known throughout the world.

Zero Air Pollution Electric Vehicles believe electricity is the fuel of the future. With electricity to power our transportation, our world can tap into renewable resources like hydroelectric, solar, wind, or geothermal power; resources that lessen our environmental footprint.

SAWS conservation programs such as "Kick the Can" Free Toilet Program, Watersaver Landscape rebates, and educational programs that reach out to all citizens of San Antonio, SAWS wants to encourage citizens to conserve.

Green News

ZDNet April 7, 2010
“Rackspace Gets Gold LEED Thumbs-up for Corporate Headquarters”

inhabitat April 6, 2010
“Rackspace Converts Vacant Shopping Mall Into LEED Gold Headquarters”

Sustain NOW Blog July 1, 2008
“Sign of the Times? Fewer Willing to Pay for Green”

Network World June 30, 2008
“IT Buyers will not Sacrifice Performance to Help Environment, Study Finds”

ZDNet June 30, 2008
“Are more Companies Refusing to Pay more for Green IT?”

ZDNet February 6, 2008
“Rackspace Offers a Unique, Green Way to Recycle an Abandoned Mall”

eWEEK October 12, 2007
“Rackspace Embraces Environmental Responsibility”

ZDNET October 11, 2007
“Are you willing to pay more for a green tech supplier?”

InformationWeek October 1, 2007
“Businesses Will Pay More For Green Data Centers”

Computerworld September 3, 2007
“Opinion: Green In and Out”

Computerworld September 3, 2007
“7 Ways to Get Green and Save Money”

Computerworld September 3, 2007
“An FAQ About Green Data Centers”

Washington Post August 9, 2007
“Green Tech Shops Have a Way to Go”