SHADES OF GREEN:

SHADES OF GREEN

CONSERVATION SELF-EVALUATION

RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES

I. THE GREEN IMPERATIVE

(What each retirement community owes to the planet)

II. FURTHER GREEN SERVICES

(Additional opportunities to conserve resources and help the planet)

www.grayisgreen.org

SHADES OF GREEN:

THE GREEN IMPERATIVE CHECKLIST FOR SELF-EVALUATION

By RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES

(Modeled after AAHSA Aging Services Providers’ Checklist)

(Draft 2/26/8)

Introduction

The two checklists in this set are both designed to help residents and management in retirement communities develop conservation programs fitted to each community’s individual needs and the needs of an ailing planet.

The first, presented here, is the GREEN IMPERATIVE checklist employing questions on the practices and policies each retirement community should follow if it is to do its part in avoiding catastrophic depletion of resources and global warming. These questions are marked GI and scored separately from the other checklist. The score for the Green Imperative checklist is public and used by AAHSA for comparative ratings. If a community is not expanding or renovating, a CI score of 22 or more is excellent (forest green), a score of 14-21 is good (pale green), but a score lower than 13 implies that the facility is deficient (burning red).

The second checklist, marked Further Green Services (FGS) and presented separately, has as its purpose: reminding retirement communities of the many practices that are not essential but cumulatively help to conserve resources; improve the quality of air, water, and soil; beautify the environment; improve the environment’s contribution to residents’ quality of life and health; and again to mitigate global warming. These questions are marked FGS and scored for the private use of the members of each retirement community. If communicated to AAHSA, NaCCRA, or state organizations, the scores are used to help these agencies know the strengths and weaknesses of conservation in retirement communities.

Please circle the answer that is most nearly correct for your community. Where the answer is ambiguous, please use the “yes” or “no” answer that is the best approximation.

The Green Imperative Checklist

(§I & §II = Commitment, 5 points)

I. A Resident Conservation Committee (2 points)

1(GI). This facility has an official residents’ Conservation Committee whose membership includes an appointed representative of management. YES NO

2(GI). The mission statement of the Conservation Committee includes four or more of the following major goals. (Note that conservation implies concern for resource-depletion and freedom from pollution, as well as energy saving):

We aim to stimulate residents and help management and staff: (1) conserve energy, (2) recycle efficiently, (3) reduce greenhouse gas emissions, (4) improve the quality of air and water, (5) protect against toxic materials in household, kitchen, and garden products, (6) help residents and management purchase so as to minimize waste and resource depletion, and (7) educate themselves and the communities in which they live on the need for and methods of conservation. YES NO

II. Board, CEO, & Staff Commitment (3 points)

1(GI). The Board of Directors/Trustees and the President/CEO understand and endorse the overall plan for conservation education and implementation at this facility. YES NO

2(GI). The Board and President understand that commitment to conservation may sometimes conflict with other objectives at this facility. YES NO

3(GI). The Board and President understand that many of the benefits of an adequate conservation policy accrue mainly, but not exclusively, to the larger society; that any sacrifices entailed by the residents and staff yield compensating benefits to them mainly in their role as responsible citizens. YES NO

III. Energy Conservation (6 points)

1(GI). We (residents, management, and staff) have adopted an integrated energy saving policy that includes reduction of energy used for heating, air conditioning and lighting. YES NO

2a(GI). In the spirit of the Kyoto protocol, we have pledged to reduce our greenhouse gas emission to a level at least 5 percent below the emission level of 1990. YES NO

2b(GI). In the spirit of the Kyoto protocol, we have pledged to reduce our greenhouse gas emission by at least 2 percent per year. YES NO

3(GI). To help manage and reduce our energy use, this facility has had an energy audit in the past three-year period. YES NO

4(GI). Wherever the utility company offers a choice, this facility buys clean energy to the maximum consistent with budgetary constraints. YES NO

5(GI). We have substituted fluorescent for incandescent bulbs in all public spaces. We also encourage private substitution by offering discounts for that substitution. Our convenience store features CFL bulbs. YES NO

6(GI). Where budgetary considerations permit, our facility has installed clean energy capacity (solar cells, wind turbines, geothermal) to supplement clean energy purchased from the utility company. YES NO

IV. Transport Policy and CO₂ Reduction (5 points)

1(GI). A joint management-resident team has surveyed the transportation practices and needs of our community in order to reduce single-passenger trips, consolidate and share errands, and substitute van or bus for trips by private cars. YES NO

2.(GI). We have posted a sign-up sheet for exchange of information on availability of and need for rides to shops, theaters, places of worship, museums, etc. YES NO

3(GI). A joint management-resident team has surveyed the stocking and inventory policy of the on-campus store to reduce shopping trips and make residents’ shopping more efficient. (This survey also took into account the “green rating” of the goods in the store as specified in VII.1 below.) YES NO

4(GI). In replacing vehicles, this facility buys the highest gas mileage–lowest emission vehicles in the desired class. YES NO

5(GI). For employees and younger residents, walking and biking are encouraged. There is bicycle storage space easily available. YES NO

V. Health (4 points)

1(GI). The health professionals of this facility understand that health care includes more than taking care of current physical illnesses and injuries; they also understand the contribution of green and hassle-free environments to wellness and positive wellbeing. YES NO

2(GI). The health professionals of this facility support conservation as a way of protecting their patients against the risks of disease and pestilence inherent in global warming and polluted air and water. YES NO

3(GI). The health care professionals actively monitor the facility’s purchase and use of cleaning materials and other household products that include such toxic elements as asbestos, mercury, lead, dioxin, chlorine, and other toxins.(See Note #1)[i] YES NO

4(GI). The facility monitors the quality of indoor air for humidity, particulate matter, nasal irritants, and allergens. YES NO

VI. Education (2 points)

1(GI). The facility has enlisted its speakers and film committees to present material on conservation. Within the past two months it has scheduled at least one conservation presentation. YES NO

2(GI). The facility library has prepared a shelf devoted to conservation. YES NO

§VII – §IX. HOUSEHOLD CONSERVATION (6 points)

VII. Buying Green (2 points)

Conservation principles imply that buyers will supplement their normal criteria of price and quality with criteria based on minimizing carbon footprints, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting air and water quality, saving resources, and protecting the environment.

1(GI). This facility uses recycled materials to the extent possible. (See Note #2)[ii] YES NO

2(GI). The dieticians and purchasers of food for this facility consciously balance nutrition, variety, and taste against such green considerations as:

(a) preference for “buying local” and reducing the carbon costs of “food miles,”

(b) the ecological advantages of tap water over bottled water (on filters, see Note #3)[iii]

(c) the ecological advantages of eating marine life lower on the food scale, including herbivorous farmed fish like catfish, carp, and tilapia, as well as oysters, clams, and mussels (but not shrimp, which are carnivores). (See Note #4)[iv]

(d) In avoiding trans fats, on ecological and health grounds, the kitchen has also avoided palm oil,

(e) Offering vegetarian dishes as alternatives to poultry and meat, especially beef.

(See Note #5).[v] YES NO

VIII. Recycling & Waste Management (3 points)

1(GI). This facility has an integrated system of waste management where the instructions to residents, pickup from residents, in-house and kitchen disposal, garden waste and mulching, health unit, hazardous waste, hauler contract, and the policies of the municipal or other disposal facility are integrated and reviewed together. YES NO

2(GI). Management and the resident conservation committee have provided clear and simple instructions to residents on how to dispose of their trash and recycling.

YES NO

3(GI). Dining and kitchen staff separate recyclables (aluminum, paper, PET plastics, cans, glass, etc.), substitute cardboard for plastic take-away, eliminate Styrofoam, avoid use of plastic utensils, and substitute cloth for paper napkins and doilies. YES NO

IX. Garden and Lawn (1 point)

1(GI). The resident garden committee and the gardener or contractor have developed plans to reduce air and noise pollution from mowing, and to reduce the use of water on lawn by substituting less thirsty varieties of ground cover. YES NO

TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS TO HERE = 27.

22 or more = Forest green; 14-19 = Pale green; 13 or less = Burning red

X. Building Green (Optional: 0 – 5 points)

(Answer the questions in this section only if your facility is building an extension

or undergoing major renovations.)

1(GI). For new building or major renovations we have hired architects pledged to follow the principles of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design; see Note #6)[vi] YES NO

2(GI). We have also made every effort to get LEED certification, but failing that, we have sought and achieved an independent assessment by Energy Star. (See Note #7)[vii] YES NO

3(GI). Considering the inexorable rise of electric rates, we have sympathetically explored the use of solar panels (photo-voltaic cells) and the federal and state subsidies that support them, comparing their benefits and costs to green (vegetation covered) roofs and certain sources of clean energy, e.g., wind, geothermal, biomass. (See Note #8).[viii]

YES NO

4(GI). We use solar water heating. YES NO

5(GI). In building and renovating health care facilities, we have consulted specialists in conservation as well as the usual architects. (See Note #9)[ix] YES NO

TOTAL IF MAKING EXTENSIONS OR MAJOR RENOVATIONS = 32

24 or more = Forest Green; 16 – 23 = Pale Green; 15 or less = Burning Red

YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE GREEN IMPERATIVE SELF-EVALUATION

For more detailed questions, see FURTHER GREEN SERVICES Checklist

Robert E. Lane, Chair, www.grayisgreen.org,

February 26, 2008

©This document is copyrighted so as to permit reproduction if the source is given as www.grayisgreen.org

PLEASE SEND COMMENTS ON CHECKLISTS TO turnbonnie@gmail.com

ENDNOTES FOR THE GREEN IMPERATIVE CHECKLIST

[i] American Chemical Society: http://pubs.acs.org/, National Institutes on Aging: http://www.nia.nih.gov/, Health Care without Harm: www.noharm.org. The other toxins include: Dechlorane Plus (DP, in flame retardants), methyl bromide, methyl iodide, diacetyl (in popcorn), ammonia and sodium hydroxide (in household sprays and linked to asthma), EGBE or 2-butoxyethanol (in cleaners and linked to eye irritation), bisphenol-A (in plastics), etc.

[ii] See the EPA’s Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines. http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/procure/index.htm .

[iii] Water filters: http://www.coopamerica.org/pubs/realmoney/articles/waterfilters.cfm .

[iv] See http://www.oceansalive.org.

[v] On ecological as well as ethical grounds, we try to reduce our buying and eating of factory-farm meat (www.factoryfarm.org ) and meat from animals regularly dosed with antibiotics ( http://www.worldwatch.org/blog/49 ).

[vi] See http://www.usgbc.org/.

[vii] See http://www.energystar.gov/. (A comprehensive comparative study of LEED certified and comparable conventional buildings finds no difference in cost: see http://www.davislangdon.com/upload/images/publications/USA/2004%20Costing%20Green ).

[viii] See http://www.greenerbuildings.com/topics.cfm?topic=energy_use .

[ix] See, for example: www.gghc.org.

SHADES OF GREEN:

FURTHER GREEN SERVICE CHECKLIST FOR SELF-EVALUATION BY RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES

(Modeled after AAHSA Aging Services Providers’ Checklist)

(Draft 2/28/8)

Introduction

This is the second of two checklists designed to help residents and management in retirement communities develop conservation programs fitted to each community’s individual needs and the needs of an ailing planet. Employing the concept of a Green Imperative, the first checklist covers the practices and policies each retirement community must follow if it is to do its part in avoiding global warming and catastrophic depletion of resources. These questions are marked GI and scored separately from the checklist provided here. That score is public and used by national associations for the aging and retired (like AAHSA and NaCCRA) for comparative ratings.

This second Checklist, marked Further Green Services, has a supplementary purpose: to remind retirement communities of the many practices that cumulatively help to conserve resources, improve the quality of air, water, and soil, beautify the environment, improve the environment’s contribution to residents’ quality of life and health, and again to mitigate global warming. These questions are marked FGS and scored for the private use of the members of each retirement community. If communicated to AAHSA, NaCCRA, or state organizations, they are used to help these agencies know the strengths and weaknesses of conservation in retirement communities.

Please circle the answer that is most nearly correct for your community. Where you are uncertain, please use the “yes” or “no” answer that is the best approximation.

The Further Green Services Checklist

I. Education

1(FGS). Because the culture of conservation is sometimes different from the culture of business efficiency (with a different bottom line), both staff and management have been included in conservation educational programs at this facility. YES NO

2(FGS). The facility provides designated bulletin board space for topical material on conservation. YES NO

3(FGS). The residents Green Committee has contacted local conservation organizations (branches of NRDC, Sierra Club, Wilderness Society, etc.) to offer or receive assistance. YES NO

4(FGS). With the help of state and municipal environmental agencies, and private museums and libraries, this facility has mounted an exhibition featuring panels, tableaux, posters, books, and periodicals on conservation. YES NO

5(FGS). The resident Green Committee has organized study groups dealing with such topics as global warming, fishery depletion or deforestation, sources of clean energy, etc.

YES NO

6(FGS). Management has reviewed the conservation guides of such related industries as hotels and restaurants. (See Note #1)[ix] YES NO

II. Energy Conservation

1(FGS). Compared to previous settings and within the comfort zone, we adjust all public thermostats to slightly lower levels in winter and higher levels in summer.

YES NO

2(FGS). While giving a priority to safety, we have instructed security guards and maintenance personnel on their regular rounds to monitor thermostats and light switches to save energy. YES NO

3(FGS). This facility buys, and encourages residents to buy, Energy Star and Energy Guide appliances. Air conditioners are purchased in conformity with Energy Efficiency Ratio guidelines. YES NO

4(FGS). Most public light switches bear a sign like this one: SAVE THE PLANET! PLEASE TURN OFF LIGHTS.

These signs are also available free of charge to residents. YES NO

5(FGS). For all discretionary uses of major appliances (e.g. laundry, dishwashers, ovens) we encourage off-peak use whenever possible. YES NO

6(FGS). Residents are encouraged: to use their dishwashers only when full; to set their refrigerators at 37 and the freezer at 3 degrees, and to set their clothes washer to warm or cold, instead of hot. YES NO

7(FGS). This facility is reimbursed by the utility company for the excess capacity provided by the emergency generators required by prudence and law. YES NO

8(FGS). All our hot water heaters and all relevant pipes are insulated. YES NO

9(FGS). Electronic records are substituted for paper records wherever feasible.

YES NO

III. Transport Policy and CO₂ Reduction

1(FGS). A joint management-staff team has reviewed possible incentives for better use of private cars: “parking cash-outs” where employees get payments for not using free company parking; carpooling incentives such as reserved parking spots in the best locations; subsidizing staff and resident use of public transport. We have arranged for a bus stop adjacent to the premises. YES NO

2(FGS). A joint management-staff team has reviewed purchasing policies to reduce the number of regular deliveries to the campus each week. YES NO

3(FGS). If diesels are employed, they use biofuels and restrict microparticle emissions as much as possible. YES NO

4(FGS). At exits and entrances to parking lots, we have posted graphic signs of the noxious effects of car emissions around the theme: IS THIS TRIP NECESSARY? (See Note #2)[ix] YES NO

5(FGS). Management and residents use teleconferencing and other electronic devices to reduce travel and, when travel is necessary, both management and residents use rail as much as possible. YES NO

IV. Health

The health professionals of this facility understand that health care includes monitoring the quality of air and water, use of toxic-free products throughout the facility, and taking steps against the longer-term hazards of global warming with its accompanying risks of increased disease and pestilence.

1(FGS). If the facility has a pool, management has asked for advice on converting the pool from chlorine to less irritating disinfectants, e.g., reinforced saline solutions.

YES NO

2(FGS). Because of possible user-risks, this facility has advised the dry-cleaning establishments that serve it to look into DF-2000 instead of “perc-based” solvents. (See Note #3).[ix] YES NO

3(FGS). Our health and wellness centers have advised our residents and staff of the risk of lead in lipstick, toxins in nail polish, and other cosmetic hazards. (See Note #4)[ix] YES NO

4(FGS). This facility is at least 500 yards from a busy Interstate or other major highway.

YES NO

5(FGS). This facility is a member of Practice Greenhealth. (See Note #5)[ix] YES NO

V. Buying Green

1(FGS). This facility and its residents regularly consult sources of green products, such as those given in Note #6.)[ix] YES NO

2(FGS). In general, we help our residents and staff to learn about safe and healthy consumption by consulting the EPA, U.S. Public Interest Research Group, Consumer Reports, and other sources. (See Note #7).[ix] YES NO

3(FGS). We use carbon offsets but try to reduce our carbon footprints by reducing purchases with high footprints. (See Note #8)[ix] YES NO

4(FGS). We have taken steps to protect against unlabeled toxics in our everyday purchases. (see Note #9)[ix] YES NO

VI. Recycling & Waste Management

1(FGS). The facility makes use of discounted bulk green buying through its membership in such groups as the National Association of Educational Procurement. (See Note #10)[ix] YES NO

2(FGS). We are guided not only by the applicable local and state law but also by the principles in the EPA WasteWise program, which we have joined. (See Note #11)[ix]

YES NO

3(FGS). Our office publications use both sides of the paper; half-page paper for short notices; we substitute electronic communication for paper communication when possible; and reuse waste paper for scratch pads. At each workstation and near mailboxes we separate waste from paper for recycling. YES NO

4(FGS). The Administration uses 80% recycled paper. Residents are encouraged to do likewise. We encourage use of soy-based ink. YES NO

5(FGS). All residents have been notified of ways to stop unwanted catalogs and junk mail. (See Note #12).[ix] YES NO

6(FGC). We dispose of hazardous waste (paint, kerosene, motor oil, nail polish, etc. and their empty containers) as prescribed by state and municipal regulations. YES NO

7(FGS). We dispose of fluorescent bulbs in hazardous waste bins. YES NO

8(FGS). Resident volunteers collect and distribute to appropriate charities all unwanted clothing, furniture, and other items suitable for reuse. YES NO

9(FGS). Where permitted by law, leftover food in sanitary condition is given to soup kitchens. YES NO

10(FGS). We monitor all facility purchases for excess packaging. YES NO

11(FGS). Unwanted medications are not disposed in the toilet but, suitably disguised and diluted, are disposed in the trash. YES NO

12(FGS). This facility has an integrated water saving plan. (See Note #13)[ix]

YES NO

VII. Garden and Lawn

1(FGS). Because research shows that pesticides may “double the risk of developing asthma,” the gardener or contractor has submitted a plan that minimizes the use of pesticide. (See Note #14).[ix] YES NO

2(FGS). This facility uses weed killers with appropriate caution, including:

a. We avoid using weed killers whose intended weed victims have grown immune to a specified weed killer’s use, e.g., pesticides using glyphosate. (1/2 point) YES NO

b. We avoid using weed killers using atrazine, whose presence in water systems threatens amphibians, fish, and aquatic ecosystems. (1/2 point) YES NO

3(FGS). We compost our leaves, clippings, and other yard waste, using the product to enrich the soil. Where feasible, we also compost kitchen waste. YES NO

4(FGS). If we use artificial turf, we consult specialists about any implied chemical hazards. YES NO

VIII. Building Green

(Answer these questions only if your community is building.)

1(FGS). We are aware of and use a standard checklist for green building. (See Note #15)[ix] YES NO

2(FGS). In remodeling existing buildings, we use “retro-commissioning” as recommended by the EPA Energy portfolio manager. (See Note #16)[ix] YES NO

3(FGS). The facility has been reviewed by the water commission and is in compliance with such rules as apply to the property it occupies. YES NO

4(FGS). Our buildings have devices for catching and using rainwater. YES NO

5(FGS). At least one of our buildings has a “green roof” (See Note #17)[ix] YES NO

YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE FURTHER GREEN SERVICES

SELF-EVALUATION

Score: A summation of the YES answers is meaningless. A more meaningful score is obtained by calculating the proportion of YES answers within each section. One half or more YES (e.g. Education 3/6, Recycling 9/12) is Forest Green, less than ½ but more than ¼ YES is Pale Green, and less than ¼ is Burning Red or a deficit in your green account. A majority of the sections scored Forest Green is Excellent and merits citation in the Green Hall of Fame.

PLEASE SEND COMMENTS TO turnbonnie@gmail.com

Robert E. Lane, Chair, www.grayisgreen.org,

February 26, 2008

ENDNOTES FOR FURTHER GREEN SERVICES

[ix] See http://www.treeo.ufl.edu/greenlodging/ and http://www.dinegreen.com/

[ix] See http://www.grayisgreen.org/posters.shtml

[ix] See http://www.coopamerica.org/pubs/realmoney/articles/drycleaning.cfm

[ix] Lipstick, http://www.kare11.com/pdf/Lipsticks.pdf, nail polish, www.boston.com/bostonglobe/.

[ix] Practice Greenhealth, formerly, Hospitals for a Healthy Environment, http://www.h2e-online.org/

[ix] Grist http://www.grist.org/ , U.S. Public Interest Research Group: http://www.uspirg.org/ , New American Dream: www.newdream.org , and Directory of Green Pages: http://www.coopamerica.org/pubs/greenpages/

[ix] See EPA ( http://www.epa.gov/oppt/), U.S. Public Interest Research Group (http://www.uspirg.org/), Consumers Reports (http://www.consumerreports.org/,

[ix] See http://earthhopenetwork.net/can_you_buy_greener_conscience.htm

[ix] See http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=689731

[ix] The National Association of Educational Procurement: www.naepnet.org/Microsites/sustainability/sustainability.html.

[ix] EPA WasteWise program, http://www.epa.gov/wastewise/about/overview.htm.

[ix] See: http://www.catalogchoice.org/; http://www.newdream.org/junkmail/#more.

[ix] See http://www.greenbiz.com/news/columns_third.cfm?NewsID=34661

[ix] See: http://www.pesticide.org/factsheets.html#alternatives, or

http://schoolipm.ifas.ufl.edu/

[ix] See http://www.stopwaste.org/home/index.asp?page=470, http://www.biggreen.org/