Kenwick Community Center

Current Sustainable Practices

Below are the initiatives Kenwick Community Center has completed on the Green Check scorecard.

Sustainability Management and Green Team

• Developed a written Comprehensive Sustainability Plan
• Designated a Green Team responsible for managing sustainability initiatives.
• Provides time for quarterly updates from Sustainability Coordinator in management meetings.

Awareness, Education, and Outreach

• Includes sustainability tips in a monthly newsletter.
• Includes a sustainability statement and training in all new hire materials.
• Hosts annual trainings or workshops to educate employees about sustainability issues, policies and procedures.
• Promotes sustainability accomplishments in external marketing materials.
• Provides volunteers for community environmental projects annually.
• Hosts environmental events.
• Sponsor an environmental booth at an existing community event.

Energy Efficiency

• Assess, track, and document energy consumption using Energy Star Portfolio Manager or similar program.
• Established a power-down policy and checklist that includes items such as shutting off lights at night.
• Set water heater thermostats to a maximum of 120 degrees or install an inline water heater.
• Replace incandescent lights with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs)- 75-100% replacement.
• Established a regular filter maintenance policy for your HVAC system.
• Has the HVAC system evaluated every 2 years by a certified service provider.
• Establish a policy for purchasing that requires Energy Star rated appliances and electronics.
• Established a dress code that encourages employees to dress for thermal comfort.
• Assess energy consumption by conducting a plug load inventory.
• Installed power strips for computers and equipment to power down during non-business hours.
• Install programmable thermostats and use them to adjust temperature during unoccupied hours.
• Conduct an energy audit or assessment (within the last three years).
• Insulated roof to control energy loss.
• Take measures to insulate HVAC system and ductwork to minimize heat loss.
• Assess building envelope and address any leaks.
• Perform external lighting audit.
• Daylight work spaces wherever possible.

Waste Reduction and Recycling

• Implemented a basic recycling program.
• Provides clearly marked recycling bins at work stations and/or in common areas. Recycling bins are paired with a waste bin.
• Trains and requires staff responsible for cleaning to segregate waste and recyclable materials.
• Uses reusable mugs and dishware instead of disposable plates, cups, and utensils.
• Established a policy for environmentally friendly printing such as two sided printing, reusing copy paper, and electronic document sharing.
• Establish an electronic waste policy that diverts all e-waste away from landfill.
• Replaced at least 50% of paper stock with post-consumer recycled paper.
• Developed a composting program.
• Participated in a zero-waste event.

Water Conservation

• Assess, track, and document water consumption using Energy Star Portfolio Manager or similar program.

Water Quality

• Established a policy for proper hazardous waste and chemical disposal.
• Organize or participate in a storm drain stenciling.
• Established a policy for proper disposal of fats, oils, and grease, distribute to staff, and post in key areas.
• Post information in restrooms about proper disposal of flushable wipes and other items.
• Coordinate or participate in a community litter clean-up.

Urban Forestry and Landscapes

• Assess the ecosystem services of trees on property using the National Tree Benefits Calculator.
• Establish a sustainability statement for landscape contracts.
• Establish a native species-only plant replacement policy for tree and shrub planting.
• Remove all invasive species from property.
• Establish an Integrated Pest Management policy to reduce use of pesticides in the landscape.
• Establish environmentally friendly lawn care policies to reduce chemical pesticide and fertilizer use.
• Plant a pollinator garden.

Sustainable Purchasing

• Established a policy for reducing the toxic chemicals/materials in the workplace.
• Establish a policy to purchase non-Styrofoam cups and plates for use at the workplace or at events.
• Established a policy for purchasing locally, if available.
• Established a policy for purchasing environmentally-friendly cleaning products.

Transportation Efficiency

• Established a no-idling policy.
• Conduct a commuter or employee transportation survey.
• Adopt a telecommuting option and make it available to employees.
• Install a bike rack with sufficient space for at least 10% of your employees.

Innovation

• Has a community garden and compost.
• Hosted a trash pick up day with summer camp attendees. Plans to incorporate with Walk, Bike, Run group in the future.
• Took summer camp field trip to FoodChain to learn about local food and aquaponics.