Big Ass Fans

Current Sustainable Practices

Below are the initiatives Big Ass Fans has completed on the Green Check scorecard.

Sustainability Management and Green Team

• Designated a Green Team responsible for managing sustainability initiatives.
• Holds quarterly Green Team meetings.
• 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.
• Create an annual green employee award to highlight employee sustainability efforts.
• Provides volunteers for community environmental projects annually.
• Attended a sustainability workshop.

Energy Efficiency

• Established a power-down policy and checklist that includes items such as shutting off lights at night.
• Established a regular filter maintenance policy for your HVAC system.
• Has the HVAC system evaluated every 2 years by a certified service provider.
• Established a dress code that encourages employees to dress for thermal comfort.
• Installed power strips for computers and equipment to power down during non-business hours.
• Installed energy efficient (i.e. Energy Star) rated windows in all conditioned spaces.
• Insulated roof to control energy loss.
• Installed efficiency-rated HVAC of minimum standard SEER rating of 14.0.
• Assessed building envelope and address any leaks.

Waste Reduction and Recycling

• Implemented a basic recycling program.
• Provides clearly marked recycling bins at work stations and/or in common areas. Recycling bins ares 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.
• Replaced at least 50% of paper stock with post-consumer recycled paper.
• Developed a composting program.
• Participated in a zero-waste event.

Water Conservation

• Installed water efficient toilets in all of the restrooms.

Water Quality

• Established a policy for proper hazardous waste and chemical disposal.
• Established a policy for proper disposal of fats, oils, and grease, distribute to staff, and post in key areas.
• Installed outdoor ash trays to prevent cigarette litter, and make pocket ash trays available to staff who smoke.

Sustainable Purchasing

• Established a policy for reducing the toxic chemicals/materials in the workplace.
• Established a policy for purchasing locally.
• Established a policy for purchasing environmentally-friendly cleaning products.

Transportation Efficiency

• Established a no-idling policy.
• Telecommuting option available to some employees.
• Installed a bike rack with sufficient space for at least 10% of your employees.
• Installed weather-protected bike storage (indoor or outdoor).
• Participated in a bike to work challenge.

Innovation

• Their Research & Development building is certified as LEED Gold.
• Participates in Main Street Cleanup.
• Recognizes employee sustainability efforts with “Green Ass” award
• Generates energy from renewable resources during one of their processes.