 WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE:
- A smoke-free facility - inside and out!
- A very popular "Drop and Swap / Used and Useful" exchange.
- Either EverStrand 100% PET recycled content low toxic carpeting or SmartStrand CRI Green Label Plus certification with all replacements.
- A tree canopy development program (carbon sequestering and energy conserving).
- Energy-efficient interior and exterior lighting throughout.
- US EPA ENERGY STAR ® rated ceiling fans being installed.
- US EPA ENERGY STAR ® rated refrigerators and dishwashers with all replacements.
- US EPA ENERGY STAR ® rated natural gas water heaters with all replacements.
- US EPA WaterSense ® labeled 1.28 gallons per flush (gpf) or 1.0/1.6 gpf dual flush toilets with all replacements.
- US EPA WaterSense ® labeled 2.0 gallons per minute (gpm) or better high-efficiency water amplifying showerheads in each unit, not the standard 2.2 gpm.
- US EPA WaterSense ® labeled 1.5 gpm faucet aerators in each unit, not the conventional 2.0 gpm.
- Mercury-free thermostats being installed.
- Zero VOC-emitting paint and Zero VOC-emitting colorant used on all new painting.
- GREEN SEAL™, EcoLogo™, US EPA DfE, and CRI™- certified cleaning products used exclusively whenever reasonably possible, subject to availability, and in that order of preference.
- GREENGUARD ® certified heathier low VOC emitting carpet padding with all replacements.
- No application of toxic landscaping chemicals.
- 30% or better post-consumer recycled content paper used for copying and printing.
- US DOE recommended 120° F water heater settings.
- An understanding that we can do more and are investigating the opportunities.
WHY WE ARE TAKING ACTION?
Simple!
We:
- Believe climate change has huge risks.
- Believe we can't afford to continue "business as usual."
- Want to demonstrate responsibility.
- Feel it is important to lead by example.
- Want to learn by doing and by sharing.
- Recognize the need to remedy deficiencies in our operations.
- Desire to save residents money and cut long-term costs.
- Hope to avoid future disruptions and financial risk.
- See residents and prospective residents responding favorably!
FOCUS AREAS
Energy Conservation —The connection between buildings, home energy use, fossil fuel combustion, and global warming is clear. The Apartments were constructed long before the current home energy standards were promulgated and the seriousness of climate change so well understood. Considering what we now know and the dated construction of our buildings there is much to be upgraded at our facilitites. We have begun by replacing all standard lightbulbs in each unit's lighting fixtures with energy (and money) saving compact flourescent lamps (CFLs). In addition we have removed all standard showerheads and replaced them with water and energy saving pressure increasing fixtures. In addition, ceiling fans are being installed in the units beginning with the hotter upper floors. Other similar improvements have been made and more are either being investigated or planned.
Carbon Sequestration—The beauty and environmental importance of native species of trees and shrubbery is not lost on the Apartments. In the spring of 2000 management began planting trees and shrubery in earnerst all over the property. To accomodate some of these trees excess parking space was dug up and planted. Since 2000, 50 trees and numerous evergreen shrubs have been planted on and around the complex's previously unshaded space.
Household Discard Recovery and Diversion—The recovery and diversion of unwanted consumer goods is both environmentally and economically important. Beginning in the fall of 1999 we set about developing the region's only full fledged apartment complex-oriented recycling collection program. In the fall of 2001, we set up a very popular "Drop and Swap / Used and Useful" exchange for our residents to facilitate reuse of unwanted items. In the fall of 2004 the household discard diversion program was expanded to include household hazardous waste (HHW), and a nine-month pilot study focused on compost-target material diversion was begun. The recycling, exchange program, and HHW programs have all been in continuous operation since their inception.
Indoor Air Quality—We are aware that the contamination of the built environment, particulary indoor air, poses significant public health risks. This is one reason for us electing to be smoke-free. We understand that many home products such as carpet, carpet padding, paint, finishes, adhesives and others contain and off-gas formaldehyde, a toxic volatile organic compound (VOC) inhalation of which poses a health hazard. This is why we have adopted the practice of using zero VOC base paint and installing low toxic carpeting and padding, seeking healthier options for other home products, furnishings, and maintenance supplies.
Air and Water Quality—The mitigation of air and water pollution is also on our radar screen. Small gasoline engines emit significant amounts of pollutants into the air. The application of toxic lawn chemicals increases the potential for health and environment threatening compounds to enter ground water supplies. As such, we have switched from using gasoline to electric-powered hedge trimmers and are looking for solutions on how best to curb the on-site use of gasoline-powered lawnmowers. We've also simply decided there'll be no application of toxic lawn chemicals.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND YOU
There are several greenhouse gases that contribute to the "greenhouse effect" - a process causing warming of the planet. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most prevalent. Though it occurs naturally there are human activities that result in significant amounts of CO2 being emitted to the atmosphere exacerbating global warming and the resultant climate change. There are many things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint and therefore your contribution to global climate change. If you really want to help future generations AND yourself, three areas in particular are deserving of attention: 1) home energy use, 2) transportation, and 3) food.
- Apartment Home Energy Use—There is a lot of energy that can be conserved in your home. Start with the major electricity users rather than those that use very little. They're what really matter now.
Apartment Home Strategies Having the Most Impact
- Use fans instead of air conditioners to get cool: Use ceiling fans or other types of fans instead of air conditioners. Since fans cool by blowing away the heat envelope around your body it's important to turn them off when you leave. If your're going to put a fan in the window be sure that there is at least one other window open for ventilation and that the fan is sealed in the window (i.e., there is no gap between the fan and the window frame).
- Space heaters: Use space heaters to heat only the rooms you are in, and turn off the heat when you leave.
- Microwave ovens and crock-pots: Use a microwave oven to heat food and Crock-Pot to simmer. They use much less energy and are cheaper to operate than an electric (or gas) range. Second-hand heat from an electric or gas range might be welcome in winter but it can add to the load on your air conditioner in warmer months.
- Wash your clothes in cold water: Instead of washing laundry in hot water use the cold water settings with cold-water detergents. They work effectively for just about everything in your clothes hamper. You'll negate the need for the energy required to heat the water and your clothes will last longer!
- Air-dry your clothes with a laundry rack: Use a laundry rack or hanger instead of the dryer.
- Use compact flourescent lamps (CFLs): Replace regular light bulbs with compact flourescent lamps (CFLs).
- TV: Watch less or none!
More Apartment Home Strategies Having Impact
Free - Responses that Cost Nothing and Save you Cash!
- Treat your warm-air heating system and air conditioning units right: Clean or change filters regularly. Dirty filters cause the motors to have to work longer.
- Set thermostats to 68°F in winter when you are home and to 55°F when you go to bed: Simple but true! You're warmer when you put more clothes on and wear pajamas.
- Close heating / cooling vents and doors to unused rooms: Unless you've got some very sensitive valuables stored away in those rooms why condition unoccuppied space? Those rooms are likely to remain somewhat conditioned anyway.
- Close blinds and drapes (and windows) during sunny summer days and after sunset in the winter: Doing so keeps unwanted heat out during hot days and desired heat in on cold nights.
- Turn off lights when leaving a room: Make it a habit! Do you leave your car running when you go into a store?
- Let the dishwasher do the work...and don't bother pre-rinsing: Yes! Dishwashers use less energy and less water...when you don't pre-rinse. All you need to do is scrape off leftover food. Enzyme-based detergents will help ensure that dishes come out spotless.
- Clean your refrigerator's condenser coils once a year: Clean coils mean the fridge's motor won't have to run as long or as often.
- Match the pan to the burner: Don't put a small pan on a large burner. Matching the pan to the burner will result in much less energy consumption. While you are at it steam foods instead of boiling. Steaming requires less water and therefore heat. If you are going to boil, be sure to put a lid on the pot. The water will come to a boil more quickly.
- Don't overdry your laundry: Coin-operated machines are limited to pre-programmed timed settings; usually 30 min, 45 min, and 1 hour. Checking on the condition of your clothes before the cycle(s) ends and pulling them out when they're just a bit damp keeps the dryer from running unnecessarily as well as reducing the need for ironing.
- Transportation - Go smart! Generally, traveling by mode other than car or aircraft, especially for shorter distances, is a better choice for the climate.
Travel Strategies Having the Most Impact
- Walking: At Maple Street Apartments you're a few short steps to the Walton Arts Center, groceries, the Post Office, the farmer's market, billiards, restaurants, nightlife, outdoor cafes, the university theater and athletic events, bike shops, poetry slams, and more!
- Bicycling: Do it! You'll feel better.
- Public transit: Use it. At Maple Street Apartments we're serviced by the university bus system...but we're so close to campus you don't need it!
- Carpool: All of us could use some social skill practice.
- Fuel efficient vehicles. Trade-in your guzzler for a high gas mileage set of wheels!
- Trip planning: Combine trips.
- Rush hour: Avoid it.
- 60 mph: Don't drive over it.
- Accelerating: Do it slowly, rather than jack-rabbit style.
- Stop driving like a maniac: Driving aggressively can waste a lot of gas.
- Traffic Lights: When you see a red traffic light take your foot off the gas.
- Take the weight off and reduce drag: Carrying stuff around in your car or truck reduces fuel economy. Put luggage inside the car rather than in the trunk or on the roof.
- Idling: Idling for more than 10 seconds uses more gas and emits more pollution than restarting your car!
- Hot? Consider cracking your window in stop-and-go traffic: AC can decrease fuel efficiency in city driving, otherwise just be comfy. Don't open the sunroof (moonroof) 'cause it can reduce fuel efficiency.
- Cruise control: Use it!
- Automobile Fitness: Keep your car in shape. That means tuned, tires at proper pressure, motor oil and filters changed.
- Your home: Make it closer to work, school, and shopping.
- Strict greenhouse gas emission standards: Demand their adoption.
- Food—It too has a broad impact on the environment. Huge expanses of land are devoted to either crop or livestock production. Associated with the use of this land, the preparation of products, and to a much lesser extent their transporation to market are CO2emissions from energy use. Yet another very significant greenhouse gas, methane, results from ruminant livestock and rice production. When it comes to food red meat and poulty products do the most environmental harm and contribute the most greenhouse gases.
Food Strategies Having the Most Impact
- Meat: Say "No," to animals fed grain and say "Not as Much," to eating grass-fed beef and truly free-range organic chicken.
- Seafood: It might seem easier to just not eat seafood than to try and figure out how to best purchase it. See the terrific Strategies for Buying Sustainable Seafood. If it's still too much for you then simply "Yes" to farm-raised fish (mostly fresh-water and domestic); farmed shellfish and farm-raised tilapia, rainbow trout, catfish, and carp from countries with acceptable regulations.
HOUSEHOLD DISCARDS
When it comes to unwanted household items the best way to reduce environmental impact and greenhouse gas emissions is to reduce, reuse, and recycle in that order. At Maple Street Apartments EVERYONE is committed to participating in the Apartments' recycling and household hazardous waste program. Please follow the links below to learn more about the program.
Related Links: Razorback Recycling | City of Fayetteville Solid Waste & Recycling | Washington County Environmental Affairs & Recycling | Boston Mountain Solid Waste District
- Disposal of NON-Distressed Bulky and Other Unwanted Items (e.g. sofas, mattresses and box
springs, etc. without stains, tears, or other significant damage).
- Use The Apartments' "Drop and Swap / Used and Useful" table in the common hallway
- Give it to a friend or acquaintance
- Put them on "Freecycle" - a Yahoo group. There's an active group in Northwest Arkansas!
- Salvation Army, Tel: (479) 521-2151
(will pickup at no charge if in good condition)
- Disposal of DISTRESSED Bulky Waste (e.g. torn, stained or otherwise broken
sofas, mattresses and box springs, etc.).
|
