10 Ways to go Green in Your Community

1.     Lower thermostats in the winter and raise thermostats in the summer 2.     Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)         • Reduces energy use.         • Reduces mercury in landfills, thereby reducing negative effects on water quality and wildlife 3. Perform a waste stream audit         • Recycle: Paper, glass, batteries         • Construction materials from renovation projects 4. Utilize green cleaning supplies         • Door mats which reduce the need for maintenance         • Cleaning products         • Deep clean carpets at regular intervals         • Thoroughly vacuum using high-efficiency filtration bags         • Use only floor machines with vacuum capability         • Avoid carpet treatments with sticky residues         • Use lint-free dusting cloths (not paper towels). Avoid dusters that don’t capture dust (ie., feather dusters)         • Avoid aerosol sprays         • Use toggle-top chemical dispensers or trigger spray directly onto cloth         • Vacuum dust skirts on floor machines 5. Change HVAC filters and perform preventative maintenance on equipment         • This improves indoor air quality         • Improves energy efficiency         • Prolongs the life of equipment 6. Reduce Heat-Island Effect through Cool Roof (solar reflective! high - albedo roofing products) or Green Roof         • Reduce energy use: A cool roof transfers less heat to the building below;          the building stays cooler and uses less energy for air conditioning         • Reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions;          By lowering energy use, cool roofs decrease the production of associated air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions         • Green roofing also reduces heating costs and improves storm-water management 7. Provide preferred parking for Alternative-fuel vehicles and residents that carpool to work 8. Water Efficiency         • Use storm water; water recapturing systems or natural waterways for irrigation         • Utilize high-efficiency irrigation systems         • Install high-efficiency water faucets in common area restrooms         • Provide incentives for residents to install high-efficiency fixtures and low flow shower heads 9. Use renewable building products when renovating         • Bamboo or Litmus         • Recycled glass 10. Adopt a purchasing policy         • Utilizing green cleaning products         • Utilizing local vendors         • To reduce packaging material         • Make bulk purchases If you are interested in learning more about our Green & Sustainability initiative, please contact David Diestel at 866.522.3671.