Current Sustainable Practices

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

Sustainability Management and the Green Team

• Develop a written Comprehensive Sustainability Plan.
• Designate a Sustainability Coordinator or Green Team responsible for managing sustainability initiatives.
• Hold quarterly Green Team meetings.
• Provide time for quarterly sustainability updates in upper management meetings.

Awareness, Education and Outreach

• Share monthly sustainability tips in a newsletter or on social.
• Include a sustainability statement and training in new hire materials or at employee orientation.
• Promote sustainability accomplishments in external marketing materials.
• Provide volunteers for community environmental projects annually.
• Host an environmental event for the public or employees.
• Attend a sustainability workshop, tour or event.

Energy Efficiency

• Assess, track, and document energy consumption.
• 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.
• Replace incandescent or CFL lights with LED lights 76-100% replacement.
• Achieve a year-over reduction in energy usage from the baseline of at least 5%.
• 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 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.
• Install or upgrade to energy efficient fans.
• Install energy efficient (i.e. Energy Star) rated windows in all conditioned spaces.
• Insulate roof to control energy loss.
• Install efficiency-rated HVAC of minimum standard SEER2 rating of 17.0.
• Take measures to insulate HVAC system and ductwork to minimize heat loss.

Waste Reduction and Recycling

• Implement a basic recycling program.
• Conduct a waste audit (within the past two years).
• 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 in break room.
• 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.

Water Conservation

• Assess, track, and document water consumption.
• Conduct a water audit within the last three years.
• 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

• 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.

Urban Forestry & Landscapes

• Establish a native species-only plant replacement policy for tree and shrub planting, where applicable.

Sustainable Purchasing

• Establish a policy for reducing the toxic chemicals/materials in your workplace.

Transportation Efficiency

• Establish and implement a no-idling policy.
• Adopt a telecommuting option and make it available to employees.
• Install a bike rack with sufficient space for at least 10% of your employees.
• Install weather-protected bike storage (indoor or outdoor).
• Place bicycle storage closer than any other designated parking spot.

Innovation

• Hosts Nature in Your Neighborhood events
• Helps support community garden at William Wells Brown Community Center
• Composts food scraps
• Encourages carpooling for large events
• Offers bike locks to participants