SUSTAINABILITY and MAPLE STREET APARTMENTS

Determined to lead in making positive contributions to the environment and society Maple Street Apartments is continually striving to provide a better place to live without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

As the region's original sustainability-thinking apartment community we are putting an end to "business-as-usual." We provide affordable comfortable apartment living while ensuring that we use our position to promote environmentally and socially responsible polices and practices.

WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE:

• It's a "must" Recycling and Household Hazardous Waste separation programs and an Organics collection program under development.

• A very popular "Drop and Swap / Used and Useful" exchange.

• Recycled content carpeting being phased in.

• A tree canopy development program (carbon sequestering and energy conserving).

• Energy-efficient interior and exterior lighting throughout.

• ENERGY STAR ® rated ceiling fans being installed.

• ENERGY STAR ® kitchen appliances being phased in.

• A "Drip Stop " water conservation program.

• High-efficiency showerheads (<2 GPM) and faucet aerators (1.5 GMP) in each unit.

• Mercury-free thermostats being installed.

• Begun using heathier low volatile organic compound (VOC) emitting paints.

• No application of toxic lawn chemicals.

• Switched from gas-operated hedge trimmers to electric trimmers.

• Switched to using 30% post-consumer recycled content paper.

• Turned water heaters down to 120° F.

• An understanding that we can do more and are investigating the opportunities.

WHY WE ARE TAKING ACTION?

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 all over the property in earnest. To accomodate some of these trees excess parking space was dug up and planted. To date, 32 hardwood, 3 softwoods, and numerous evergreen shrubs have been planted on the property's 3/4 acre of 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.

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. Using to CO₂ emissions data from Energy Information Administration and a population of 299 million people the average American is responsible for nearly 52,500 pounds (23.8 metric tons) of CO₂ emissions a year, mostly through transportation and through energy used at home. There are many things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint and therefore your contribution to global climate change. Examples include replacing your standard incandescent lightbulbs with compact flourescent lamps (CFLs) and driving less. To learn more about determining your carbon footprint and strategies for reducing and offsetting it please read further.

Accounting for carbon dioxide emissions resulting from your use of the clothes washers and dryers (everybody in the complex) and gas heat and gas heated hot water (Units A through T) is problematic, however, given that gas supplied to the apartment community is measured only at a single meter. If you want to get closer to your true emissions amount add a couple of tons to cover these emission sources.Try the calculator then start considering how you might most simply and easily mitigate your CO₂ footprint. Generally, solutions are found in both reducing the energy you use and offsetting CO₂. Using less energy is the best thing you can do to combat climate change. When you have to use energy offset its CO₂ emissions. In most instances "offsetting" is the most practical and cost effective response. In a two prong approach start reducing what you can and offsetting what you can.

Reducing—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 (eat less meat and eat locally produced food).

• Space heaters: Use space heaters to heat only the rooms you are in, and turn off the heat when you leave.
• 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).
• 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!
• Computer montors: Use an LCD display instead of a CRT computer monitor.

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.

• Walking: At Maple Street Apartments you're a few short steps to the Walton Arts Center, groceries, the Post Office, The Square, billiards, restaurants, nightlife, bike shops, churches, 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!
• 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. You can save up to 37%!
• 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! You could save up to 14% on gas.
• 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.

• Red meat and poultry: Eat less of it!
• Local production: Eat it! The Fayetteville Farmer's Market located on the Fayetteville Square is a good place to find local produce. You can get locally produced chicken, turkey, and emu at the University of Arkansas' Department of Poultry Science Processing Plant on Mondays, and sporadically, beef, pork, and lamb at the meat and dairy products at the University of Arkansas Red Meat Abattoir located at the intersection of W. Deane St. and N. Dvorachek Ave. in Fayetteville. Call 479-575-2145 for more information.

Offsetting—When we: 1) use natural gas to heat our home, 2) use electricity generated by coal, natural gas, or petroleum to run appliances, or 3) burn gasoline, diesel, or natural gas to travel we cause harmful CO₂ emissions that contribute to global warming and climate change. When you feel that you are unable to reduce your energy consumption any further you can actually offset ("neutralize") remaining CO₂ emissions by investing in CO₂ reducing projects!There are many non-profit and for-profit organizations that make the process very simple, and do the investing for you at a surprisingly low cost. Carbonfund.org is one of the few investment-handling organizations that allows you to pick the type of project (e.g., renewable energy, production efficiency, reforestation, etc.). It also has a carbon calculator AND it's a non-profit so more of your dollar is likely to go to actual project development! At the time of this writing Carbonfund.org was asking a minimal $5.50 to offset each ton of CO₂.

HOUSEHOLD DISCARDS

• RECYCLING
• ORGANICS (program under development)
• HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE

Related Links: Razorback Recycling | City of Fayetteville Solid Waste & Recycling

• 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 apartment's "Drop and Swap / Used and Useful" table in the common hallwayGive 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.).
  • Boston Mountain Solid Waste District , Tel: (888) 426-9278 (will pickup for a nominal fee)

Contact us by Email or phone: (479) 444-7445
Page last modified May 25, 2008