Sustainability at the Museum
As part of the Museum's commitment to sustainability, reflected in the mission statement, a Sustainability Action Plan was created by the GreenCityBlueLake Institute.
Baseline data on our energy use and environmental impact was collected, and used to create a carbon footprint for the Museum's operations. The Sustainability Action Plan was written and enacted to reduce the Museum's environmental impact, save money, and set an example for the community. The Plan serves as a blueprint for actions to be taken at the Museum.
More information on actions that you or your organization can take to reduce your impact is available online at http://www.greencitybluelake.org
Here is the progress made so far:
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Category
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Desired Outcomes
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Actions Taken
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| Energy & Greenhouse Gases |
• Reduce energy consumption
• Reduce carbon footprint
• Save money
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• Baseline energy use data collected
• Comprehensive 2007 GHG emissions inventory completed (scopes 1, 2, and 3)
• Fluorescent lighting retrofit underway
• CFLs installed in general lighting fixtures
• LED Exit signs
• LED lighting installed in some exhibits
• LED lighting in Planetarium
• LED lighting in Café and parking lot
• Occupancy sensors in restrooms and some public areas
• Highly reflective roof with increased insulation installed on Kirtland Hall (2010) and Kahn Hall (2011)
• Vending misers installed on Café vending machines
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|
Water
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• Reduce potable water use
• Save money
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• Water efficient valves and aerators installed
• Wildlife Resources Center purchased a high efficiency, Energy Star washing machine
|
| Solid Waste |
• Minimize amount of solid waste sent to landfill
• Reduce environmental impact
|
• Recycling program for paper, cardboard, plastic, cans, and glass
• Wildlife Resources composts animal bedding and herbivorous animal waste
• Courtyard and Perkins yard waste composted
• Café waste composted
• Café uses compostable plates, cups, cutlery
• CMNH internal policies and procedures available electronically
• Electronics recycled at a zero-landfill facility
• Smead Discovery Center (SDC) and GCBL are working toward a zero-waste goal
• SDC holds annual vermicomposting workshops
• No plastic water bottles sold onsite
• Battery recycling
• Cell phone and accessory recycling
• Vermicomposting in GCBL offices, Museum Store, and SDC
|
| Purchasing |
• Reduce the impact of the Museum's ongoing operations and maintenance (e.g. waste prevention, resource use reduction, GHG reduction, etc.)
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• Cleaning products purchased are green certified by Ohio Valley Supply
• All marketing materials are printed on recycled and FSC certified papers
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| Transportation |
• Reduce employee commute miles
• Incent alternative transportation
• Reduce climate impact of CMNH direct transportation
|
• Museum Prius available for staff use
• Improved bike rack in a more secure, covered location
• Alternative commute incentive
• Museum staff bike sharing program
• Posted idle free zone signs along Wade Oval
• 4-day work week option
• Provide information on transit options
• GCBL participates in regional transportation planning
|
| Indoor Air Quality |
• Reduce contaminants
|
• No VOC paint used in recent classroom renovations
• Recycled carpet squares from Interface used in classrooms and Kahn Hall
• Recycled rolled carpet from Shaw Green Label Plus used in 4th floor hall and some offices
• Indoor air quality tested
|
| Groundskeeping and Maintenance |
• Reduce stormwater runoff
• Reduce erosion
• Reduce harmful chemical use
• Encourage biodiversity
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• Use Native plants in courtyard and Perkins
• Reuse water in Perkins
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| Food |
• Reduce the environmental and transportation impacts associated with food production
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• Commitment to serve local food items
• Healthier items, including increased vegetarian options
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