Bluegrass United Church of Christ

Current Sustainable Practices

Sustainability Management and the Green Team

• Develop a written Comprehensive Sustainability Plan that includes goals in these categories: Sustainability Goals, Roles and Responsibilities, Policies and Procedures, Activities and Impact, Timelines.
• Designate a Sustainability Coordinator or Green Team responsible for managing sustainability initiatives.
• Hold quarterly Green Team meetings.
• Provide time for quarterly updates from Sustainability Coordinator in upper management meetings.

Awareness, Education, and Outreach

• Include sustainability tips in a monthly newsletter.
• Provide a sustainability information board in a common area such as a break room or kitchen.
• Include a sustainability statement and training in all new hire materials.
• Host annual trainings or workshops to educate employees about sustainability issues, policies and procedures.
• Promote sustainability accomplishments in external marketing materials (website, social media, newsletter, press releases, TV/radio ads).
• Participate in a present or attend sustainability workshop.

Energy Efficiency

• Establish 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.
• Sign up for a green energy program with your electric provider.
• Establish a regular filter maintenance policy for your HVAC system.
• Have your HVAC system evaluated every 2 years by a certified service provider.
• Establish a policy for purchasing that requires Energy Star rated appliances and electronics.
• Install 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.
• Perform external lighting audit.
• Daylight work spaces wherever possible.

Waste Reduction and Recycling

• Implement a basic recycling program.
• Provide clearly marked recycling bins at work stations and/or in common areas. Recycling bins must be paired with a waste bin.
• Train and require janitorial service or staff responsible for cleaning to segregate waste and recyclable materials.
• Use reusable mugs and dishware instead of disposable plates, cups, and utensils.
• 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.
• Replace at least 50% of paper stock with post-consumer recycled paper.
• Host, sponsor, or participate in a zero-waste event.

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.

Water Quality

• Establish a policy for proper hazardous waste and chemical disposal.
• Establish 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.
• Install 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 and Landscapes

• 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.
• Plant a rain garden.

Sustainable Purchasing

• Establish a policy for reducing the toxic chemicals/materials in your workplace.
• Establish a policy to purchase non-Styrofoam cups and plates for use at the workplace or at events.
• Establish a policy for purchasing locally, if available.
• Establish a policy to purchase/lease EPA SmartWay Certified fuel-efficient vehicles.
• Establish a policy for purchasing environmentally-friendly cleaning products.

Transportation Efficiency

• Establish and implement a no-idling policy.
• Adopt a telecommuting option and make it available to employees.

Innovation

• Participate in LFUCG Citizens’ Environmental Academy.
• Tries to reuse as many food scraps as possible from preparation.
• Adjusts “plate size” to reduce food waste.
• Installed outdoor solar lights.