GREEN IDEAS FOR A SUSTAINABLE GREEN DOWNTOWN

1) What does being Green really mean?

• the focus of this discussion will be how a business community turns from brown to green
• being green includes both how the business is run, how it sources its products and services, the building envelope and what it does with its waste
• want to dispel the notion that being green means higher overhead, greater expense with little in return
• being green will not only have a dramatic effect on costs of operations, make an impact being a better steward of this precious place (which is presumably why the customer/tourist is here), but will also help market the business or downtown community

2)    Taking Some Big Green Steps

I – Making the business more energy efficient

• energy audit (George on WRP and possible savings)
• typical steps businesses can take (owner or lessee) and anticipated savings (windows, insulation, doorways, lighting, HVAC systems)
• larger Green possibilities using renewal energy

II – Sourcing products from local/regional community

• Buying local from local artisans, vendors

III – Minimizing packaging- talking with distributors about how packaging could be eliminated or reduced

IV – Limiting bags- Create Downtown shopping bag, ask everyone if they need a bag before offering one

V – Recycling: Establishing a Pooled arrangement on Mixed Paper and Cardboard

•  Audit paper/cardboard use and create a cooperative agreement to share the costs

VI – Encourage walking rather than driving

3) Resources To Take Action

• ECO is happy to be a resource to help the downtown community take steps in any of these areas
• Contact WRP to schedule energy audits
• Contact the Green Building Council on steps that can be taken and resource available toward greater energy efficiency
• Participate in the Green Workshops at BRCC

3) Certification and Awards for Excellence

ECO is launching a GREEN BUSINESS RECOGNITION program to highlight local businesses that have taken meaningful steps towards lowering their energy footprints and, so, contributing to a safe anad clean environment in Henderson County.

A point system will be established to help provide guidance on steps businesses can take towards making progress and Green Business decal will be posted at local businesses that are “going green.”

These firms need our encouragement and patronage for their efforts. Sign up at ECO or online to show your commitment to support local green businesses.  The more people who commit to shop green, the more businesses will go green!

Mintel has forecasted that green products will experience 19% growth through 2012. (Ask retailers to name other product categories they carry that are poised to experience 20% growth over the next few years.)

According to a recent poll conducted by the Global Strategy Group, 87 percent of consumers are more likely to buy products from a retailer that is committed to environmentally sound practices. (This is an old report, I think, and I can’t track it down from the source, Global Strategy Group. Just a bunch of sites that cite it. Use at your discretion.)

Roughly 34 percent of American consumers indicate they are more likely to buy environmentally responsible products today, and another 44 percent indicate their environmental shopping habits have not changed as a result of the economy.  Eight percent say they are less likely to buy.  This is according to the results of the 2009 Cone Consumer Environmental Survey. (you have to sign up online to see the study — I did and am attaching the .pdf here. Good stats about “green attitudes” of shoppers despite economy.)

And 4 out of 5 people say they are still buying green products and services today – which sometimes cost more – even in the midst of a U.S. recession, according to a study commissioned by Green Seal and EnviroMedia Social Marketing.

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ENERGY CONSERVATION HELP FOR BUSINESS Prepared by ECO for Downtown Hendersonville, Inc.

Identify Major Energy Users – typical percentages

 Retail                Restaurant          Office

HVAC               51%                  23%                  40%

Lighting             31%                  15%                  29%

Hot Water          7%                    11%                  9%

Food Pep           3%                    45%                  5%

Other                 8%                    6%                    15%

Benchmark Energy Use – typical energy per square foot

Retail                Restaurant          Office

Electricity and fuel           78,000               248,000             95,000     BTUs per Sq. ft.

No Cost

1.         Turn it off if it not being used

$1 reduction in utility cost is $1 increase in profit

Reducing 100 watts for 4 hours/day saves about $1 per month

2.         Only heat and cool enough for comfort and turn back during closed hours

(Do women bring a sweater to your business in the summer?)

 Typical  % savings for winter nighttime settings

60 F                  55 F                  50 F

10%                  20%                  30%

3.         Use a fan instead of AC when outside air is cool (but not too humid).

Low Cost

• Seal air leaks around windows and doors
• If heating ducts are in unheated attic or crawl space, then old duct tape or gaps can waste as much as 20% of heat. (Seal with metal tape or mastic – not duct tape.)
• Change lighting fixtures to more efficient or add light/motion sensors.

Use Local Resources

Environmental and Conservation Organization, ECO

121 Third Avenue West, Hendersonville NC 28791

Phone 828-692-0385  Web:   www.eco-wng.org

Promotes and recognizes conservation efforts, network of conservation experts

Waste Reduction Partners, Land-of-Sky Regional Council
339 New Leicester Hwy, Suite 140, Asheville, NC 28806
Phone: (828) 251-6622    Fax: (828) 251-6353

Email: wrp@landofsky.org Web: http://www.landofsky.org/wrp

• Self assessment energy audit checklist can be downloaded at :

http://landofsky.org/wrp/PDFs/Assessments/33454%20Energy%20Guide%201208.pdf

• For a no cost energy reduction assessments contact Russ Jordan, Energy Program Manager
  828-251-7477 Asheville (Monday, Wednesday), 828-863-2917 Tryon
  russjordan.wrp@windstream.net

Western North Carolina Green Building Council

PO Box 17026, Asheville, NC 28816

Phone 828-254-1995        E mail: info@wncgbc.org Web: www.wncgbc.org

Business directory and short courses.

Blue Ridge Community College

Small Business Center, Gary Heisey, Director (828) 694-1779

http://www.blueridge.edu/business_person/sbc/index.php

WORKSHOPS:

Duke Energy

http://www.duke-energy.com/north-carolina-business.asp

Smart $aver™ Incentive program rewards businesses for installing energy efficient equipment. Web site has application forms with rebate incentives for:

• Lighting
• Heating & Cooling Equipment
• Chillers & Thermal Storage
• Process Equipment
• Foodservice Equipment
• Motor/Pump/Variable Frequency Drives

Tax Credits

DSIRE (Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency) is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. http://www.dsireusa.org/

ENERGY USE INDEX

How to calculate

1.  Determine total energy use for each utility

2.  Determine total energy use for each utility