Going Green

Here is a simple listing that was supplied to us when we sent out the question to our Industry: "What are you doing in the quest to Go Green?" This is also an example of one of our green efforts - electronic - not paper. We have not handed out notes at any of our meetings in 2008. Agenda's or PowerPoints are displayed and we will happily supply scrap paper for you to take notes - but we are no longer printing 10 sets of this or 50 copies of that as a hand-out. We are hoping you will use this electronic resource a bit more.

Click here for a link to a PDF of a 5 page article that was scanned from Group Travel Planet titled "It's So Easy Being Green".

List from Abner Adam's House Bed & B

- Posted with permission:
HI Pat- You have hit on a topic that is dear to us. As you know Bob taught Earth Science for 34 years and has always taught respect for the Environment. We have always been energy conscious, and recycle and reuse. We are constantly striving to implement new ideas around here. We have compiled a list of what we currently do:

"No smoking" Inn
Bulk dispensers for amenities (no small plastic bottles or wrappers)
Amenities - 100% natural, biodegradable, Cleaning products - non-toxic, phosphate-free, biodegradable
Hot water - 125-130 degrees F (52-55 degrees C)
Linens changed between guests or on request only (towels on floor or in tub)
Laundry detergents - non-toxic, phosphate-free, biodegradable, concentrated, liquid
Recycling available for guest involvement
Glass water glasses, no paper cups
Cloth napkins used instead of paper napkins.
Microfiber towels and water for cleaning, rather than paper towels and chemicals
Cloth Kitchen towels
Line dry clothes in summer when possible
Run dishwasher only when completely full, hand wash as much as possible.
Ceiling fans, reversible.
Fluorescent lighting - thinner off-white vinyl-backed lampshades.
Dimmers on light switches.
Low flow toilet water.
Extra blankets - room can be kept colder on winter nights if guests prefer
No styrofoam usage
Provide reusable hot/cold beverage containers for guest use
Filtered drinking water provided upon request with breakfast, not wasted
Filtered water dispenser avilable for guests to refill their own water bottles.
Use of sugar bowls, pitchers for cream and small serving dishes for butter and jellies, not individually wrapped items.
Use a mulcher to create our own mulch from yard and garden clippings.
Solar energy is lighting signage
Motion sensor for lights on guest walk way
Appliances, such as TVs, radios and clocks, unplugged when not in use
Thermostats programmed and lower to 64 degrees (cold seasons/24 hrs.) when rooms not in use. Open windows encouraged for summer cooling or programmed A/C at 78 degrees when requested.
Live potted plants keep air healthier
Organic compost

Lynda
Abner Adams House B & B
Lynda and Bob Dobberstein
2 Howard Ave.
Bloomfield, NY 14469
585-657-4681
www.abneradamshouse.com

List from Canandaigua Spice Company

o We have established CSC [Canandaigua Spice Company] HERB GARDEN and registered with the Northeastern Organic Farmer's Association of NY [NOFA-NY] to organically grow a portion of our inventory in our own garden for our store. We must meet all of the requirements set by NOFA-NY and sign a Farmer's Pledge, which allows any interested parties to inspect our garden to insure we are growing organically. Visitors are asked to call for an appointment to tour the herb garden between June and September.

o We are members of Finger Lakes Culinary Bounty and Pride of NY, partnering with as many local businesses [within 50 miles] to buy freshly grown/dried herbs & spices, plus locally produced foods as possible. We currently have 12 local growers providing us organically grown herbs and spices, and over 10 local companies providing locally processed foods. 1/3 of our inventory is grown organically and/or locally. We currently supply product to over 10 local restaurants.

o We manage our local transportation costs and reduce exhaust by exchanging product at Finger Lakes Culinary Bounty Meetings [we meet monthly and we carpool - 4 people]. This saves on gas, exhaust fumes, oil burned, etc …

o We have set a minimum requirement for all our major supplier orders [$500.00] so as not to waste fuel, and create more pollution by ordering indiscriminately.

o We purchase a portion of our electric from hydro power sources

o We actively support wind farms

o We recycle and use recycled products. We use recycled plastic and paper bags. We ask our customers to return bags to be recycled. Our product containers are recycled. Our safety seals are not plastic, we use decomposable tape. We recycle all cardboard and paper. If a customer doesn't want their receipt, it goes in a recycle bin, not the garbage. We request and require that all of our suppliers have a recycling program as well. We say "Thank You" to customers that bring in their own canvas bag or specifically say "I don't need a bag."

o We have set a 3 year goal to be a paperless shop! Right now we do all ordering through the internet, we use a paperless internet faxing program to reduce paper waste. We are in the process of putting all nutritional data, recipes, and invoicing on-line to eliminate paper. We educate our customers in our goal so that they don't continuously ask for paper copies.

o We installed energy efficient fixtures, ballasts, appliances, furnace, AC, etc …

o We set our heat lower, and our AC higher. Most customers don't notice.

o We have a vestibule to reduce heating/cooling exchange.

o We share facilities with our neighbors, i.e.: 1 dumpster for 2 businesses.

o We use all green cleaning products. We re-fill when able instead of replace. We buy in large bulk to save on packaging and landfill. We use all natural bulk cut hand soaps to save on packaging and contaminated grey water.

o Our lights [in all non-retail locations] are on photo eyes to turn on only as required. They time-off.

o We do not do mass mailing, or direct mailings to save energy, trees, etc. Our brochures and business cards are printed with soy inks on recycled paper.

o We bought 100% of all shelves, cabinets, display cases, sales counters, etc… used and within 20 miles of our shop. And it all came together and looks beautiful!

o Our company car is a Toyota Corolla and gets 38 miles to the gallon.

o We promote and participate in Local Community Supported Agriculture programs and proactively support them.

o We save all dishes to end of day to do them once to save water/soap.

o We offer classes on natural/homeopath/beauty applications for spices and herbs.

o We encourage composting and practice it at home.

o We provide 100% cotton aprons for our employees.

o Most of our floors are tile or cement so we sweep instead of vacuum.

o We contact all companies that send us "junk mail" through the USPS or email and ask to be taken off their distribution list.

o We turn off/un-plug all lights and non-critical appliances at the end of each day, right down to the coffee maker.

o We strive to purchase appliances that do NOT have electronic clocks or 24 hour monitors.

o All major appliances have an annual maintenance contract to replace filters and measure efficiency.

o All doors and windows have efficiency ratings and or weather stripping.

o We had an energy audit performed by the gas & electric company and implemented as many suggestions as were practicable, i.e.: we installed insulation above our ceiling tiles and around our heating and cooling ducts to reduce heating/cooling loss.

o We used non-lead, low fume, water soluble paints on our retail surfaces.

There are likely more things that we will do, but this is a good beginning.
Michelle Jones-Ham, Owner
Canandaigua Spice Company
www.canandaiguaspice.com