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 .