Sustainability and Resiliency

Reclaiming Millions of Gallons of Water
A major U.S. Brewery recovered and reused 90 million gallons of process water per year.

The project met sustainability goals and provided re-purposed water for use in non-product applications.

Offsetting CO2 with Nitrogen
A nitrogen (N2) /carbon dioxide (CO2) mixing system achieved a 50% reduction in packaging CO2 consumption in the brewing industry. The brewery achieved an overall CO2 footprint reduction while minimizing risk of supply chain issues. Read more.

Reducing Fuel Use, CO2 and Energy Costs
A complete streets approach for the city of Cedar Falls, Iowa eliminated 360,000 gallons of fuel use, reduced 3,200 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and saved $194,000 in energy costs.

Expanding Landfill Usefulness
An evapotranspiration cover over a landfill with a geocomposite liner resulted in beneficial use of on-site soil, lower cost to install, and increased capacity to the final geocomposite cover.

Reducing Landfill Greenhouse Impacts
Relocating an unused flare reduced the greenhouse impact of methane gas at this landfill by converting it to carbon dioxide and water vapor.

Expanding Waste Processing Throughput
Evaluation and modifications to a dual-stream processing facility to process materials delivered via single-stream tripled throughput within 18 months of operation. Additional materials were also identified for reuse of recycled material content.

Increasing Landfill Gas While Reducing Costs
Permitting leachate recirculation for a landfill reduced the cost of leachate management and increased generation of landfill gas, which was used to offset natural gas formerly used at an adjacent limestone quarry.

Working Toward a 75% Recycling Goal
The state of Minnesota requires that Ramsey and Washington Counties achieve a 75% recycling goal by 2030.

The plan to reach that goal includes procurement and installation of equipment that will recover additional recyclable materials and durable compostable bags to collect organic waste and minimize the amount of material that is landfilled.

Preparing a Seawall for Rising Sea Levels
A 700 ft steel sheet pile wall raised the seawall elevation by 4 feet and provided improved coastal resiliency and protection against sea level rise concerns.

The project also provided the community with a fishing pier, boardwalk and needed beach nourishment.

Reducing a Landfill’s Carbon Footprint
A 40-kilowatt solar array composed of 134 solar panels on the Blue Earth County, MN Customer Service Building will decrease the landfill’s carbon footprint and reduce its overall impact on the environment.

The display will save money in the long term by providing a renewable energy source to on-site buildings while reducing electricity bills.

Growing Strategically
Strategic growth starts with our clients. By carefully listening and learning about the world around us, we continuously evolve and improve our sustainable solutions to meet the changing needs of our clients.

We combine science, engineering, and technology with ingenuity and passion to build enduring client partnerships and create bright futures for our team members.

Developing Talent
We create bright futures for our members. Members play an active role in their development, collaborating with dedicated advocates to create personalized growth plans based on their unique journeys and career goals.

Five percent of our professional fee revenue is reinvested in our members’ development to help build competencies, earn certifications and pursue their passions.

Advancing Technology
As an industry leader in technology, we invest in the resources that help us be more agile and increase productivity and workflow.

We look at the latest technology to improve our business processes. This dedication to continuous improvement saves time and resources, enhances our design abilities and results, reduces errors, and improves overall efficiency.

Committing to Safety
Our total recordable incident rate is consistently below the industry average. We live by our mantra that no job is so important, and no work is so urgent that we cannot take time to perform our work safely.

Every member at Foth has a role to play as we strive for zero injuries, illness or environmental harm by following all expectations and reporting all unsafe conditions.

Implementing Environmental Management System Framework
Our goal of improving our internal environmental performance includes annual review and evaluation to identify opportunities and set objectives and targets.

Resulting operational implementations include procurement management, technology investment, waste reduction programs, energy conservation and community cleanup efforts.

Supporting STEM Programs
Former CEO Steven Van Dyke’s belief in partnerships between industry leaders and educators led to the Einstein Project in 1991.

Since then, we’ve committed to advancing STEM programs such as Introduce a Girl to Engineering, MATHCOUNTS competitions, Summer STEM Camp, regular partnerships with Society of Women Engineers STEM events and speaking engagements at local schools.

Operationalizing Volunteering and Philanthropy
Giving back is an integral part of life at Foth. Every member is provided paid time off to volunteer, and exemplary community service is recognized with an annual award to benefit a charity of our members’ choosing.

STEM education is the focus of our corporate giving, including education-related events and an endowed scholarship for engineers.

Expanding Environmental and Community Outreach
Our passion to give back to the communities in which we work, live and play often leads members to wade through water to clean up streams, fill bright orange trash bags on the side of a highway, wield pruning shears to eliminate invasive species from prairies and wetlands, hammer and caulk at Habitat for Humanity, and much, much more.

Prioritizing Inclusivity
We think and behave inclusively. We create environments where differences are embraced, members are recognized based on their merits, and we acknowledge the uniqueness of individuals and their diversity of thought and experience.

Prioritizing this intention includes peer networking groups, diversity recruitment plans, and training on unconscious bias and conscious inclusion.