Monthly Green Initiatives
Inspired by Earth Day, Earth Hour and Energy Conservation Week, we plan to introduce a new green initiative each month, or to highlight something that we are doing which is already green. The intended result will be that we continue to think of how we can do things more efficiently and responsibly in a way that we can incorporate into our day-to-day routines. Join us by thinking of what your own monthly green initiative might be!
- February 2012: Environmental monitoring has gone paperless.
- January 2012: Selection of a no buy day.
- December 2011: Using hand soap and cleaning products which meet Green Seal and EcoLogo Environmental Choice standards.
- November 2011: Sale of outdated corroplast signage on Government Surplus Online Auction.
- October 2011: Giving thought to which signs can be created in a manner in which they can be reused. We are able to reuse reverse side of smaller month-by-month event signs.
- September 2011: Networking computers to a limited number of printers.
- August 2011: Reusing "previously owned" file folders for other projects where possible/appropriate.
- July 2011: Appliance timer installed on office printer.
- June 2011: Effort to STOP dripping taps - New taps have been installed where necessary to limit water waste.
- May 2011: White pine seedlings and reusable archivescanada.ca tote bags (thank you Canadian Council of Archives and Library Archives Canada) presented to 2011 Heritage Fair participants.
- April 2011: Starting April 19, Grey Roots will be giving a white pine seedling to our first 150 visitors. Further tree planting in Moreston Heritage Village is also anticipated for 2011.
- March 2011: Giving thought to incorporating electronic filing over paper files where possible (added benefit of search tools with electronic filing).
- February 2011: Consider a preparing and enjoying a local meal this month - all ingredients from Ontario (ie not just packaged in Ontario) and at least one ingredient from Grey County.
- January 2011: LED Christmas lights.
- December 2010: Be Green: Keep it on the Screen ~ Reducing printing by saving electronically where it is a reasonable alternative, and giving thought to where this is possible in our day-to-day activities.
- November 2010: New LED lighting is being used in the Going Out in Style exhibit display cases and as spot lighting in the Grey County Gallery. (Saving 94% power over a conventional bulb.)
- October 2010: Low voc (volatile organic compound) air fresheners for washrooms.
- September 2010: Scrap paper bin in the copy room for lists, notes etc.
- August 2010: Purchase of a battery charger to allow for the use of rechargeable batteries where possible.
- July 2010: A switch to more eco-sensitive lawn treatment for 2010.
- June 2010: Experimenting with more energy-efficient LED and compact florescent lighting in some exhibit cases and in other places throughout the building.
- May 2010: Trees! 175 trees have been planted in Moreston Heritage Village this spring: cedar, white birch, white pine and white spruce; 150 white pine seedlings were given to visitors in recognition of Earth Day; 65 white pine seedlings were distributed to students who participated in the Third Annual Grey Roots Heritage Fair.
- April 2010: Option to use china tea cup for refreshments at our lecture series.
- March 2010: Reduced price with own mug for staff coffee in lunchroom.
- February 2010: Staff purchase of Reverse Osmosis system for lunchroom to eliminate need for bottled water.
- January 2010: Washing and reusing cotton gloves.
- December 2009: Expaning our recycling efforts: styrofoam, electronic items, scrap metal with trips to the transfer station.
- November 2009: Recycled items are being used for children’s craft activities.
- October 2009: Members and volunteers are now being given the option of viewing Grey Matter electronically rather than receiving a paper copy.
- September 2009: Keep exterior doors and doors between zones closed as much as possible so that the building can run more efficiently as well as maintain required temperature and humidity levels.
- August 2009: Windows and curtains down to keep the heat of the sun out at the end of the day.
- July 2009: Thinking about the placement of our recycling and garbage bins to make recycling convenient and habitual.
- June 2009: Turn computers and accessories off at the end of the day.
- May 2009: Turn lights off when leaving a room.
- April 2009: Double-siding copies wherever possible.
