Briarcliff Manor, New York is home to Algera Energy, a provider of electricity and natural gas. Algera is an environmentally friendly business, qualifying as a Certified Westchester Green Business recognition in 2016. They believe in stewardship of natural spaces and reducing their impact on the environment. As part of their effort to reduce their carbon footprint, Algera gave their home office a green makeover.
Beginning with the offices energy consumption, Algera energy replaced all the lighting in their 12,000 square foot space with LED bulbs, which are an energy-efficient alternative to conventional bulbs types. This simple change resulted, in the companies estimate, in a reduction of carbon dioxide output by 422 tons per year. That is enough to power 76 houses annually. Algera also implemented a “lights off” policy for any offices and conference rooms not in use, further reducing their electricity consumption.
Windows that received the most sunlight had film covering installed which help reduce the amount of heat exchange between indoors and outdoors. This helps maintain climate control inside the building with less use of heating and air conditioning, which can get expensive to operate in such a large space.
Refrigerators were fitted with thermostats to help monitor the efficiency of their energy use. Fridges can be an often-overlook power waster as they will drain as much power as needed to maintain their inside temperature. By keeping an eye on them, Algera Energy has employed a simple but effective method for keeping emission from these appliances down.
Water waste is reduced by maintaining and preventing leaks on pipes and faucets. Employees are encouraged to report such issues as soon as they are found to help get them fixed fast.
A water filtration system was added to the Algera Energy offices to give employees access to fresh, clean water on site in an effort to discourage them bringing plastic water bottles. Each employee is also given a reusable, washable, BPS-free plastic bottle to use as a further means to avoid plastic water bottles, which are one of the leading sources of plastic waste.
A recycling program was introduced to the offices, providing glass, paper and plastic recycling every public room in the offices. Guidelines are posted as to what can and can’t be recycled and where to put each type of recycling to try and avoid mishaps with sorting that can result in entire batches of recycling needing to be thrown in the trash instead.
Algera also offers electronic recycling. E-waste can produce a surprising amount of pollution and disposing of devices properly is important. An e-recycling station is provided in the copy room to ensure that all electronics are disposed of safely.
Hazardous waste products are always handled carefully and in accordance with federal, state and local regulations. Hazardous waste sorting is vital as hazardous materials are, by definition, dangerous to dispose of improperly.
Even light bulbs, a source of toxic pollution that surprises many, are disposed of via an independent contractor licensed in their proper and safe disposal.
Use of paper is kept to a minimum. Switching to conducting as much business as possible via the internet and e-documents and providing enough access to recycling that every piece of paper is recycled instead of trashed are obvious ways to reduce paper use. Algera also takes other steps, such as opting out of direct mail and junk mail lists to reduce to wasted paper coming into the office, to keep paper usage as low as they can manage.
By providing themselves as an example of how to cheaply and quickly make changes, Algera hopes to inspire others to the same.
