http://www.box.net/shared/static/mg8gqhzugt

Traveling Green in Wisconsin Opportunities to maximize your environmental performance Steve Brachman Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center

Overview • Background on Travel Green Wisconsin • Establishing baseline performance measures • Key pollution prevention opportunities • Resources and tools

What is Travel Green Wisconsin?

• Voluntary certification program • Allows businesses to evaluate goals and improve environmental footprint • Preserves state’s natural resource, cultural and wildlife assets • Establishes unique marketing presence.

• http://www.travelgreenwisconsin.com/

Certification Components • Complete checklist – Baseline items mandatory

• Rated in 9 areas: – – – – – – – – –

Communication/ED Waste Energy Efficiency Water Conservation Air Quality Wildlife/Landscape Transportation Purchasing Local Community Benefits

Baseline Environmental Performance Assessment • Solid Waste • Energy • Water Consumption Why???

Getting Started Gather your baseline data – Why? This is your starting point Will be used to measure improvement

Solid Waste Generation • Volume of waste generated by business • May be in tons or cubic yards • To calculate you will need: – Volume of containers used – Number of times containers are emptied

OR • Information from previous bills

Example • Business has one 4 yd3 container for garbage and one 2 yd3 container for recycling emptied weekly • Garbage = 4 yd3 X 52 weeks/year • 208 yd3s of garbage per year

• Recycling = 2 yd3 X 52 weeks/year • 104 yd3s of recycling per year

Energy Use • Electricity – Power bills from last 12 months – Many companies offer online accounts

• Natural Gas, Propane, Heating Oil – NG may be on same bill as electricity – Propane and Heating oil – delivery slips/or bills

• Gasoline, Diesel Fuel – Bills or Vehicle Miles driven

Example

Historical Data Useful

Water Consumption • Public water supply vs. private well • Water usage is typically in cubic feet – Past bill from water utility – quarterly or monthly

• Private Well – Estimate flow if no meter installed – Dept. of Commerce table – Install meter to monitor – May not be able to determine cost

Example • Drive-in restaurant (all paper service w/ inside seating) – seating cap. 45 – From chart – 10 gpd/seating space – Open 310 days per year – 45 X 10 = 450 gallons per day – 450 X 310 days = 139,500 gallons/year

Other “Low Hanging Fruit” Waste Reduction Reuse & Recycling

• Recycling and the landfill bans – Paper and Containers – Tires, Yardwaste, used oil, etc.

• Hazardous waste identification – Are you a hazardous waste generator?

– Fluorescent bulbs, Thermostats (Mercury)

Energy Efficiency, Conservation and Management • Fluorescent bulbs are used • Programmable set-back thermostats in use • Purchase of renewable energy/power through utility companies

Water Conservation and Wastewater Management • Low flow fixtures • Non-toxic, phosphate free detergents • Hazardous chemicals are properly disposed, not down the drain

Air Quality • Air handling and other HVAC equipment are cleaned and maintained • High Moisture areas are well ventilated • Low/No-VOC paints and finishes are used

Wildlife & Landscape Conservation & Management • Native plants are used while invasive species are avoided • Soaker hoses or drip irrigation in use • Organic fertilizers and products are used in landscaping

Transportation • Bicycles available for use or rent • CO2 offsets are offered to customers

Local Community Benefits • Staff are local with short commutes • Local Food products are purchased • Support other local businesses and organizations.

Purchasing • • • • •

Impact nearly all other sections Decisions will impact performance Long term vs. short term Look for recycled content products Reduce or eliminate the purchase of toxic or hazardous cleaners/chemicals

Purchasing Guides & Resources • Building Green Guide • Office of the Federal Environmental Executive • US EPA – Comprehensive Procurement Database • Green Seal Products

Other Resources Provide…

• • • •

Answers to questions Solutions that can save money Reduced environmental impact Enhanced customer satisfaction

My Favorite Web Based Resources • P2Rx sector hubs http://www.wrppn.org/hub/subsection.cfm?h ub=14&subsec=4&nav=4&CFID=152221&C FTOKEN=25918191 • EPA Hospitality Site Abstract: The hospitality industry spends $5 billion dollars every year on energy. Explore and use the tools and resources on this site to help your company improve its energy performance.

More Favorites • Green Business Standards Checklist Abstract: Green Business Standards Checklist For Hotels and Motels

• Green Business Standards Checklist Abstract: Green Business Standards Checklist For Restaurants & The Food Service Industry

• Transportation Project Addresses Impacts of Tourism Abstract: Santa Barbara Car Free, also known as the Take a Vacation from Your Car Project, is a cooperative project led by the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District.

• Waste Reduction in Hotels and Motels - A Guide for Hotel and Motel [PDF] Abstract: This guidebook was developed to assist hotel, motel and restaurant managers in organizing their waste reduction initiatives .