Going Green with Residents and Staff. “Forms of progress that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to.

Going Green Going Green with with

Residents and StaffResidents and Staff

Going Green with Residents and StaffGoing Green with Residents and Staff


“Forms of progress that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.”

“A dynamic process which enables all people to realize their potential and to improve their quality of life in ways that simultaneously protect and enhance the Earth’s life support systems.”

Sustainability is:


Outline of PresentationSustainability Project GroupSustainability BenchmarksSustainability InitiativesFinancial impact of selected initiativesOpportunities and Challenges


SYSTEM-WIDE SUSTAINABILTIY PROJECT GROUPInclude Facilities Directors, residents, several Executive Directors and boardMeet by conference call six times per yearEndeavor to have a lead presentation Give each affiliate opportunity to share their efforts and successesSummarized and distribute presentations and minutes


BE PATTERNS, BE EXAMPLES Kendal, as a leading not for profit provider of senior housing and services, has an opportunity and societal obligation to demonstrate leadership in supporting and promoting environmental stewardship. Kendal communities will strive to conduct their activities in an ecologically sound, socially responsible, and economically prudent manner. Kendal communities will support the concepts of sustainability in their operations and resident life initiatives. In serving older people, Kendal will take special care to minimize community member’s exposure to harmful substances. We will strive to function as a sustainable community, emphasizing energy conservation and responsible consumption, promoting ecological understanding and environmentally sound practices among its residents and staff, and supporting these values throughout the wider community. July 25, 2008


A 2010 Kendal Corporate Goal: Develop measures and targets for Sustainability

Facilities Directors and Sustainability Project Group 13 Sustainability InitiativesGoal: 10 by the EOY 2012 and 13 by the EOY 2013


1) Establish, monitor, and maintain a community-wide multi-faceted system of recycling or disposal of items such as, but not limited to, paper goods, containers, plastics, batteries, electronic goods, and hazardous waste.


2) Establish a program to reduce office paper usage, and purchase of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC, as international non-profit, multi-stakeholder organization established to promote responsible management of the world’s forests) certified paper for all print materials.

3) Establish a program to install and maintain native landscape.


4) Provide building automation/energy management system for monitoring mechanical, electrical, and plumbing equipment for maximum efficiency.

5) Develop an energy conservation plan that is measureable.


6) Adopt a policy to purchase only EnergyStar appliances.

7) Offer environmental educational programs and ongoing reminders and updates to staff and residents about environmental issues and opportunities.

8) Establish a program for water conservation.

Going Green with Residents and StaffGoing Green with Residents and Staff9) Provide a program for incorporating the least possible use of herbicides and pesticides into landscape management.

10) Provide a program for using green chemicals in all aspects of operations including housekeeping, laundry, and dining.

11) Establish a “food philosophy” which includes incorporating local

food produce in the dining program.


12) Establish a program and practice of Green Building standards in any construction or renovation project including finishes and furnishing.

13) Establish a sustainability workgroup in the community including residents and staff that actively works to monitor and advance the sustainability efforts of the community; includes a sustainability “library” with references and website links.


Sustainability Initiatives:Hanover speakers seriesStaff Energy CommitteesContract with Re-Use Center Food composting becoming easierMinimizing pesticides and herbicidesExperimental weevil control of

mile-a-minute weed





Going Green with Residents and StaffGoing Green with Residents and StaffLEED Certified Cottages:


LEED Duplex Cottages: 1250-1775 SF, Gold and SilverSustainability initiatives:

30% energy reduction strategies, geothermal heat pumpRetention basins and multiple underground storage basinsNative plants, wildflower meadow, limit lawnWater conservation - high efficiency fixturesSustainable materials, construction waste reductionIndoor air quality


LEED Duplex CottagesConstruction cost $100-110/SFSoft costs approximately $3,500 per cottage

LEED Sustainability consultant $96,000LEED inspections and Admin fees $62,000USGBC Fees $10,000


NYSERDA Grant for Energy Reduction Hudson – corridor motion sensors, reduced waste stream through recycling, saving in water and sewer – projected savings 26% or $150,000 per yearIthaca – Replaced boilers, heat recovery units, updated air handler controls, attic insulation – projected savings 45% or $162,000 per year.2-4 year paybacks projected


COLLINGTONUniversity of Maryland Manufacturing Assistance Program – Energy Audit

Lighting and mechanical efficienciesReduce electrical consumption by 22%Reduce natural gas consumption by 4.5%Total cost savings of >$150,000, almost 19%


Kendal at Longwood and CrosslandsDemand response programs which:

Preserve the reliability of the regional gridInsure a quality power supplyHelp meet demands of peak energy needs

Generator capacity to meet 100% of communities needs.

Since April 2007 these two Pennsylvania communities have earned over $600,000.


Hanover reduced electricity 8.5% - purchased 20 electric meters to measure baseline.Crosslands energy committee – documented a $50,000 decrease in energy costs (7%) with CFLs and programmable thermostats.Ithaca composting 3.5 tons of food waste per month reduced waste stream by 35%.Lathrop reduced waste stream by 80% with recycling and composting


OPPORTUNITIESCommitted residentsSocially conscious and concernedEnergy of working as communityConnections with leaders in the field Aging infrastructure provides significant opportunity

for efficiency gains

Going Green with Residents and StaffGoing Green with Residents and StaffCHALLENGES

Pressure to keep project budgets in check Staff stretched for time and resourcesArticulate, committed leadership important

“We dole out energy as if it were free”Education – “Someone else’s problem”MeasurementSustainability vs. aesthetics

Gray Is Gray Is Green:Green: The National Senior The National Senior Conservation CorpsConservation Corps

Going Green with Residents and Staff

Gray Is Gray Is Green:Green: BackgroundBackground

• Founded 2008: Whitney Center, Hamden, CT• Founders: Profs. Robert Lane and Arthur Galston• Purpose: to encourage and support sustainability

programs at retirement communities

Gray Is Gray Is Green:Green: ActivitiesActivities

• Environmental Education• Speaking and Engagement• Sustainability Tools and Handbooks• Networking Communities/Sharing Successes

http://www.grayisgreen.org/CCRChandbook.pdf

http://www.grayisgreen.org/GIG_LATEST/Resources_files/CCRC_CarbonTool_Beta.xls

http://www.grayisgreen.org/gig_cms/carbon_age.htm

http://www.grayisgreen.org/gig_cms/kendal.pdf

http://www.grayisgreen.org/gig_cms/SUSTAINABILITY_CHECKLIST.pdf

Gray Is Gray Is Green:Green: NRDC MergerNRDC Merger

• Gray Is Green is a program of NRDC• Full access to policy and sustainability expertise• Significantly greater network• Retirement communities no longer sole focus

Gray Is Gray Is Green:Green: Engaging ResidentsEngaging Residents

Rule #1:

It’s home. It’s always personal


Key Concerns • Immediate – what’s going to happen right

away?• Personal – how will this affect me?• Relevant – what community issue is addressed?


Everybody “Gets” the Bottom Line• Make the business case first• Relate it to community services• Pair sacrifices with benefits


Population Assessment• Sustainability Literacy• Cultural Compatibility- “The Green Thing”• Resident “Champions”


Population Assessment• Identify Expertise – e.g. Win Hunter• Research and Education• Outreach and Partnerships


Communications Plan• Staff Representative on Green Team• Updates and Metrics• Early Successes are Critical


Formalize Sustainability• Operating Principles• Kendal-esque Steps• Broaden Message

Gray Is Gray Is Green:Green: Community LeadershipCommunity Leadership

Mount Rubidoux Manor, Riverside, CA• Strong Community Outreach• Civic Government Support• School Programs

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/aa/Mt._Rubidoux_Manor.jpg

Gray Is Gray Is Green:Green: Community LeadershipCommunity Leadership

Mount Rubidoux Manor, Riverside, CA• Seniors Go Green! Non-profit• Utility and NGO Partners• Intergenerational Events

Gray Is Gray Is Green:Green: New Models?New Models?

What is the next step?• Retirement communities are positioned to be

leaders in sustainability• Experience, strong community, political power• Strengthen inter-communities ties for greater

effect. How?

Gray Is Gray Is Green:Green:

Questions?

Going Green with Residents and Staff. “Forms of progress that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to.

Documents

staffgoing green

challengesgoing green

minutesgoing green

kendal communities

responsible management

sustainability initiativesgoal

concepts of sustainability

paper goods