GENERAL BUSINESS PRACTICES

Overview

We looked at ways to examine items and criteria that would typically be evaluated in a home energy evaluation. As a result, we have taken the following measures:

Light Bulbs

Where possible, we have gradually switched our lighting systems to accommodate fluorescent and compact florescent light bulbs. Compact florescent light bulbs use up to 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. If every North American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gasses equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars. Standard incandescent bulbs use only 5 to 8 percent of their energy to produce light. The rest is dissipated as heat.

Computer Monitors

ENERGY STAR qualified computer monitors use from 25–60% less electricity than standard models, depending on how they are used.

 

Using Recycled Paper

We have pledged that all new printed material such as brochures, letterhead, information packages will be printed on paper with 100% recycled content. It is common sense that making new paper from old paper is easier on the Earth. It helps to conserve forests, because it reduces demand for wood. It conserves resources and generates less pollution during manufacturing since the fibers have already been processed once. As well, it reduces solid waste because it diverts unusable paper from the waste stream. Paper with 100% recycled content reduces the demand on forests for wood; conserves energy, chemicals and water consumed during paper manufacturing; and reduces both solid waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

Recycling Program

Everyone knows recycling means less waste going to our landfills. Thanks to our dedicated staff, we have implemented a recycling program that has had great success. In the coming years we plan to further reduce the amount of waste which is sent to our landfill. That being said, the greatest environmental benefits of recycling are related not to landfills, but to the conservation of energy and natural resources and the prevention of pollution when a recycled material, rather than a raw material, is used to make a new product.

Pesticide Use

We have opted to stop the use of pesticides on our property and this is why. Pesticides can potentially affect everyone’s health. They can put people and animals at risk, particularly young children due to their smaller size and under-developed immune systems. Although the effects of pesticide use over several years or a lifetime of exposure are not fully understood, the immediate health effects on people who are accidentally over-exposed to pesticides may include: headaches, dizziness, nausea, tiredness, stomach cramps, and skin and eye irritation.

Pesticides also pollute water. Protecting the quality of our drinking water, along with potential health effects described above, are key reasons for our decision to stop the use of pesticides.

Water Conservation

By planting drought resistant plants we have reduced our need for seasonal watering. Many native plants can survive on rainwater alone. Our overall outdoor plan includes reducing the amount of grass thereby reducing the amount of watering required. In the meantime, while following the City of Tacoma by law for watering and through our automatic timers we water the lawn early in the morning or evening hours to minimize evaporation loss. It also achieves greater soil saturation and provides better absorption of the water.

We have also stopped washing our fleet of vehicles ourselves and utilize an environmentally friendly car wash.  By disposing of the waste water and reusing some of that water during the wash process, we are helping to do our part to conserve water.  That we can do this in an aspect of our business that used to require large amounts of water to complete properly is even more satisfying.