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

• Shares monthly sustainability tips in a newsletter or on social.
• Includes a sustainability statement and training in all new hire materials.
• Offer trainings or workshops to educate employees about sustainability issues, policies and procedures.
• Promote sustainability accomplishments in external marketing materials.
• Create an annual green employee award to highlight employee sustainability efforts.
• Provides volunteers for community environmental projects annually.
• Host an environmental event for public or employees
• Attend a sustainability workshop, tour or event.

Energy Efficiency

• Assess, track, and document energy consumption.
• 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 or CFL lights with LED lights 76-100% replacement.
• Delamp vending machines or add motion detection lights.
• 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.
• Utilize power management features of operating system to turn off non-essential lights and equipment during non-business hours.
• Install programmable thermostats and use them to adjust temperature during unoccupied hours.
• Install occupancy sensors in bathrooms, meeting rooms, and other infrequently used areas.
• Conduct an energy audit or assessment (within the last three years).
• Install or upgrade to energy efficient fans.
• Installed energy efficient (i.e. Energy Star) rated windows in all conditioned spaces.
• Insulated roof to control energy loss.
• Take measures to insulate HVAC system and ductwork to minimize heat loss.

Waste Reduction and Recycling

• Implemented a basic recycling program.
• Conduct a waste audit within the past two years.
• 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.
• Create a landfill diversion goal.

Water Conservation

• Assess, track, and document water consumption.
• Conduct a water audit within the last three years. Monitor and record water usage, check indoor and outdoor pipes and fixtures for drips and leaks.
• Establish a policy for purchase of high efficiency (i.e. WaterSense) rated fixtures and appliances.
• Install water efficient faucets in all of the restrooms.
• Install water efficient toilets in all of the restrooms.

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.
• Establish preventative maintenance program for sanitary sewer lateral lines on your property.
• Post information in restrooms about proper disposal of flushable wipes and other items.
• Coordinate or participate in a litter clean-up.
• Installed outdoor ash trays to prevent cigarette litter, and make pocket ash trays available to staff who smoke.
• Before washing parking lots, sweep debris/litter and do not use cleaners.

Urban Forestry & Landscapes

• Participate in a community tree planting.
• Assess the ecosystem services of trees on property using the National Tree Benefits Calculator.
• Establish a native species-only plant replacement policy for tree and shrub planting, where applicable.
• 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.

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.
• Established a policy for purchasing environmentally-friendly cleaning products.

Transportation Efficiency

• Established a no-idling policy.
• Adopt a telecommuting option and make it available to employees.
• Install weather-protected bike storage (indoor or outdoor).
• Place bicycle storage closer than any other designated parking spot.

Innovation

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