A Professional Approach
We strive to make a positive impression on every commercial landscape we touch in Kentucky, and to raise the bar for professionalism in the landscape industry. Supporting education is a priority. Roscoe Klausing was central Kentucky’s first National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) Landscape Industry Certified (LIC) Professional. He’s also Central Kentucky’s only NALP Trailblazer. And, the dedicated managers at Klausing Group also hold LIC and other professional certifications. Knowledge is our competitive advantage, and why facility managers trust Klausing Group to take their commercial properties to the next level.
Two Distinct Commercial Landscape Divisions
Our promise is simple yet requires deep landscape expertise and experience. We will make you and your property look great, and that’s because we are invested in your business and provide tools so you can maximize your landscape investment.
The Klausing Group provides Commercial Landscape Maintenance that focuses on landscape maintenance, including Snow & Ice Management, and enhancements to increase the value of your landscape and tap its full potential. Our Commercial Landscape Construction division designs and builds landscapes that “do more” with a mind toward better serving your customers and the community.
Current Sustainable Practices
Below are the initiatives Klausing Group has completed on the Green Check scorecard.
Sustainability Management and Green Team
- Includes sustainability tips in monthly newsletter.
- Hosts annual trainings to educate employees about sustainability issues, policies, and procedures.
- Developed a written Comprehensive Sustainability Plan that includes goals in these categories; Sustainability Goals Roles & Responsibilities, Policies & Procedures, Activities & Impact, and Timelines.
- Designated a Sustainability Coordinator or Green Team responsible for managing sustainability initiatives.
Awareness, Education, and Outreach
- Includes sustainability tips in a monthly newsletter.
- Provides a sustainability information board in a common area.
- 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.
- Highlights sustainability efforts or initiatives at career fairs or career days.
- Promotes sustainability accomplishments in external marketing materials. Specifically social media and blog.
- Provides volunteers for community environmental projects annually.
- Has hosted an environmental event at the Klausing Group offices.
- Sponsored an environmental booth at an existing community event.
- Participates in a regional sustainability workshops.
Energy Efficiency
- Installed energy efficient (i.e. Energy Star) rated windows in all conditioned spaces.
- 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.
- Delamped vending machine.
- Established a regular filter maintenance policy for the HVAC system.
- Achieve a year-over reduction in energy usage from the baseline of
at least 5%. - Established a policy for purchasing that requires Energy Star rated appliances and electronics.
- Established a dress code that encourages employees to dress for thermal comfort.
- Install power strips for computers and equipment to power down
during non-business hours. - Installed programmable thermostats and use them to adjust temperature during unoccupied hours.
- Insulate roof to control energy loss.
- Install efficiency-rated HVAC of minimum standard SEER rating of 14.0.
- Perform external lighting audit.
- Daylight work spaces wherever possible.
Waste Reduction and Recycling
- Conducted a waste audit.
- Trains and requires staff responsible for cleaning to segregate waste and recyclable materials.
- Replaced at least 50% of paper stock with post-consumer recycled paper.
- Participates in a composting program.
- Implemented a basic recycling program.
- Provides clearly marked recycling bins at work stations and/or in common areas.
- Uses reusable mugs and dishware instead of disposable plates, cups, and utensils.
- Has created a landfill diversion goal.
- Establish 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.
Water Conservation
- 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.
Water Quality
- Harvests rainwater through rain barrel system.
- Organize or participate in a storm drain stenciling.
- 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.
- Performed a storm water pollution survey.
- Establish preventative maintenance program for sanitary sewer lateral lines on your property.
- Posted information in restrooms about proper disposal of flushable wipes and other items.
- Coordinate or participate in a community 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, sweeps debris/litter and does not use cleaners.
Urban Forestry and Landscapes
- Established environmentally friendly lawn care policies to reduce chemical pesticide and fertilizer.
- Adopted a sustainability statement for landscape contracts.
- Established a native species-only plant replacement policy for tree and shrub planting.
- Participates in a community reforestation projects.
- Assess the ecosystem services of trees on property using the National Tree Benefits Calculator.
- Established a sustainability statement for landscape contracts.
- Removed all invasive species from property.
- Established an Integrated Pest Management policy to reduce use of pesticides in the landscape.
- Planted a pollinator garden.
- Planted a rain garden.
- Audits irrigation system for leaks.
- Adjusts irrigation system to water during cool periods and wet weather.
Sustainable Purchasing
- Established a policy for reducing the toxic chemicals/materials in the workplace.
- Established 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.
- Establish a policy to purchase/lease EPA SmartWay Certified fuel-
efficient vehicles when available. - Established a policy for purchasing environmentally-friendly cleaning products.
Transportation
- Implemented a no-idling policy.
- Adopted a telecommuting option for employees.
- Designate parking spaces for hybrid vehicles and/or install EV
charging stations. - Installed a bike rack with sufficient space for at least 10% of employees.
- Installed weather-protected bike storage (indoor or outdoor).
- Place bicycle storage closer than any other designated parking spot.
Innovation
- Installed a green/living roof.
- Installed a 300-gallon+ water catchment system.
- Installed a permeable parking lot.