Our outreach staff spends a lot of time working with local businesses to help them foster sustainability efforts in the office, but we don’t often talk about the things we do to be green in our own space.  Since we’ve just moved to our new location at 835 National Avenue (come see us!), now is the perfect time to share some of the cool, eco-friendly things going on in our office – from our space, to our equipment, to our people.

Our Space

• Repurposed Building: Our office was once an empty warehouse.  In a world of suburban sprawl, we’re proud to occupy existing infrastructure in the heart of Lexington.
• LED Lighting: Our energy-efficient lighting cuts our carbon footprint down to size.  Lighting accounts for 25-40% of energy consumption in an average building; it’s an important place to strive for efficiency.
• Natural Light: Windows and skylights allow us to turn off our overhead lighting on sunny days.
• Recycled Paint: Our walls feature recycled latex paint: donated to the Lexington Habitat for Humanity ReStore, mixed by Greensource employees, and put to work brightening our space – not sitting in a landfill.
• Low-Flow Facilities: Guilt-free flushing courtesy of our water-efficient restrooms.  We’re hoping to take it to the next level in the near future with the installation of dual-flush toilets.
• Pre-Owned Furniture: Most of our couches, chairs, cabinets, and décor are pre-owned, refurbished, and reused.

Our Equipment

• Hybrid Company Car: With a 19-county service area, we do a lot of driving.  Our fuel-efficient hybrid gets more than 40 miles out of a gallon of gas.
• Programmable Thermostats: We don’t want to waste energy on heating and cooling our space overnight and on weekends; thanks to our programmable thermostats, we don’t have to.
• Three Rosies, One Herbie, and Recycling Bins at Every Desk: We’re set up to make recycling easy and effective.  Our common area – and each individual work station – has a recycling bin, and we recycle more than we throw away.
• Personal Lighting: Desk lamps cut down on energy usage; during low occupancy, the lamps are on and the overhead lighting is off.
• Duplexed Printers: By setting duplex (2-sided) printing as our default, we cut our paper use in half.
• Power Strips: Each workstation is plugged into its own power strip, making it quick and easy to eliminate energy waste when it’s not in use.
• Reusable and Compostable Dishes: Americans use more than 14 billion disposable paper coffee cups every year, and more than 50 billion plastic water bottles, but we’re bucking the trend at Bluegrass Greensource.  Reusable dishes are provided, and employees are encouraged to bring their own mugs and water bottles – and when we have to go disposable, our cups, plates, and utensils are compostable.

Our People

• Recycling: We recycle as much as we can: glass, paper, cardboard, cans, and plastic – all of which the city of Lexington collects – but also electronics and ink and toner cartridges.
• Paper Reuse: Paper that’s been printed on one side doesn’t go to waste; we reprint the blank side with internal memos and documents.
• Lights Out: Between natural light and workspace lighting, we don’t always need the overhead lights to be on – so we turn them off.  The same goes for any areas of the office that aren’t occupied or in use.
• Shut Down: Each employee shuts down his or her workstation at the end of the day: computers and other electronics are never left running, and power strips are switched off to prevent vampire energy loss.
• Vermicomposting: A compost bin with a hardworking team of red wiggler earthworms helps us dispose of food waste naturally.
• Hand Towels: Yes, paper towels are still an option – but the hand towels in our restrooms and kitchen are our waste-free option of choice.
• Carpooling and Alternative Transportation: We support and encourage biking and walking to work, and carpool to meetings, events, and activities every chance we get.
• Green Purchasing: Our purchasing power matters, and we choose to support suppliers and manufacturers of sustainable products.  From printer paper to cleaning supplies to promotional materials to trophies and plaques, awe seek out post consumer recycled content, reclaimed materials, and safe, biodegradable components.

Being sustainable at work doesn’t have to mean major building improvements or expense; it can be as simple as a few extra recycling bins and a little staff training.  If you’re interested in making your workplace a little more eco-friendly, we can help!  Get in touch with our Outreach Specialists and find out what changes you can make to go a little greener.