Executive Housekeeping Today - April 2008 - (Page 7)

of this has been clearly identified by the United Nations, when it developed the “UN Millennium Eight Development Goals.” Goal number seven is quite clear when it states, in three simple words, “Ensure environmental sustainability.” An effective program of sustainability addresses today’s generation, while preparing and planning for tomorrow’s generations, and recognizes that all elements of society are interdependent. Now at this stage of the article, you are probably wondering if the Frugal Housekeeper has lost his marbles; however, it is vitally important for each of us to recognize that the roles we play as managers are critical in creating a sustainable environment for today and tomorrow. Sustainability impacts every facet of our work and lives, and is much broader than even the current initiatives in which we may be involved, such as cleaning for health while using Green chemicals and products, and even exemplary recycling and solid waste management programs. In 2004, the Organization for Economic Development and Co-operation (OECD) in Paris, France, listed ten key indicators that directly impact the quality and sustainability of the environment in which we live: 1. Climate change: CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions. 2. Ozone layer: Ozone depleting substances. 3. Air quality: SO2 and NOx emission intensities. 4. Waste generation: Municipal waste generation intensities. 5. Freshwater quality: Waste water treatment connection rates. 6. Freshwater resources: Intensity of use of water resources. 7. Forest resources: Intensity of use of forest resources. Your Role in Sustainability 8. Fish resources: Intensity of use of fish resources. 9. Energy resources: Intensity of energy use. 10. Biodiversity: Threatened species. This list of indicators clearly shows that what you and I do, both at work and at play, directly impacts the environment and the sustainability of our environment. Each action that we take, in some way, shape, or form, has a potential impact on the environment for today and tomorrow. Some of the steps that we have taken as facilities managers, in conjunction with our business partners, have been admirable and include such initiatives as: • Integrating the use of Green chemicals into our workplace. Due to the advent of independent testing and certification of these products, end users, such as you and I, can use these products with a degree of reliability, knowing that we are lessening the impact on the environment. • Purchasing products that are environmentally-friendly and manufactured from post-consumer waste, with recycled contents equivalent or better than those recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency. • Limiting the use of water resources through such innovations as waterless or low-flush fixtures, automated water faucets, and the recycling of used filtered water in the laundering process or cleaning machine processes, such as autoscrubbers, that filter and recycle water. • Using chemicals that are dispensed through systems that minimize the use of chemicals, while ensuring that the chemicals are mixed correctly and used more effectively. • Recycling as many items as possible, such as plastics, metals, paper, cardboard, computer com- ponents, books, inkjet cartridges, etc. • Installing energy-efficient ballasts, light bulbs, and lights with occupancy sensors so that lights turn off when the room is not in use. However, we need to become more aggressive and go outside of our comfort zones, by stretching our level of knowledge and recognizing that facilities management and housekeeping operations are interdependent on each other and the organization in which we work. All components interact synergistically; thus, in order to be truly Green and to have an environmentally-sustainable operation in our organization, there needs to be clear direction. Such a direction has been provided by the signatories to the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment Statement. Lest we say that such a statement is bound only to academia, take a few moments to view the Web page at: http://www. presidentsclimatecommitment. org/. There are 493 signatories to this commitment, and those organizations that are involved represent a variety of sectors in society. Involvement with sustainability programs not only makes good environmental sense, it also affords considerable opportunity for quality public and community relations. As stated earlier, much of what we do each and every day has a direct impact upon the environ(continued on next page) April 2008/Executive Housekeeping Today 7

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Executive Housekeeping Today - April 2008

Executive Housekeeping Today - April 2008 Contents Executive Corner Green Certification Issues The Green Benefit from the Roof Down Frugal Housekeeper LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance Greening with Mats A Greener Approach to Laundry Feature Article 2008 Candidate Information The Green Scene 2008 Convention Information Get Into the "O-Zone" Product Highlights CEH/REH Members New Members Joint IEHA/ISSA Members Advertisers' Index Calendar of Events Inside I.E.H.A. What I.E.H.A. Has Done For Me

Executive Housekeeping Today - April 2008

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