Going Green

Going Green: District-Wide

• Compact LED Bulbs: Throughout the district, wherever incandescent bulbs were being used, compact LED bulbs are being installed as the replacement when they fail. This style of bulb uses dramatically less energy and has a much greater life expectancy. Green Benefits: Reduced energy costs, reduced landfill waste, reduced labor for replacing dead bulbs.
• Scrap metal recycling: With respect to all facets of our business, whenever we generate any waste product made of metal, it is stored at the maintenance shop until we have a truck load. It is then brought to a scrap metal recycler where we are paid by the pound. Green Benefits: Reduced consumption of natural resources, reduced landfill waste, reduced pollution from the processing of new metals.
• Computer Recycling: All electronic equipment from the district is recycled through the Kane County recycling program. Periodically, all collected items are dropped off at the collection center where they are sorted and shipped to the appropriate companies that specialize in the proper management of all the materials contained within. All hazardous wastes are properly disposed of and all recyclable materials end up in new consumer products. Green Benefits: Reduced consumption of natural resources, reduced pollution for air and ground water.
• Programmable Thermostats on HVAC Systems: Throughout the district, we have been replacing older thermostats with programmable capabilities. This allows us to maintain comfortable temperatures in our buildings during occupied times only. Conversely, we raise/lower temperatures during non-use times. Green Benefits: Reduced energy consumption/costs, reduced air pollution/greenhouse gas emissions, longer expected life and reduced maintenance costs of equipment.
• Photocells/Time Clocks on Security/Exterior Lighting: In order to maintain proper safety of our buildings and parking lots, proper lighting is required. Photocells and time clocks offer the functionality of turning on the lights only at the times they are needed. Green Benefits: Minimum consumption of energy during the times of needed light, minimum maintenance costs to keep lights on when needed.
• Battery Recycling: All disposable batteries used to power clocks, thermostats, smoke detectors, etc., are recycled through the local trash collections. Green Benefits: Reduced ground water pollution, reduced consumption of natural resources.
• Printer Cartridge Recycling: All empty printing cartridges are collected and recycled through a local scouting troop. Green Benefits: Reduced ground water pollution, reduced consumption of natural resources, support development of "green" thinking in our children.
• HVAC Systems Replaced with High Efficiency Units: All new air conditioning systems are using a more environmentally safe Freon. In the last two years we have replaced two systems and they use the new Freon. The efficiency of the systems was also a consideration and higher efficiency systems were chosen. Green Benefits: Reduced energy costs to operate, reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Going Green: Parks

At the Batavia Park District, we grow our own native plants and plant them in our parks every year. Below is a list of benefits from native plants:

• Low maintenance
• Requires less fertilizer and pesticide
• Requires less water
• Preserves our natural heritage
• Provides food and habitat for native wildlife
• Produces long root systems that help control erosion
• Protects water quality by controlling erosion and helps clean water runoff
• Help reduce air and noise pollution

Going Green: Administration

• Purchase toilet paper that is made with 50 percent recycled paper. Reduced cost is reflected in the recycled/post-consumer product price. We save the environment and money too.
• Purchase copy paper made with 20 percent recycled paper. Cost savings for District supplies plus protects the environment.
• Purchase of environmentally friendly staff break room supplies (hot/cold cups, plates, & utensils).
• Purchase recycled plastic trash can dome tops. Cost savings for the District as well as safer for the environment.
• Park Rules signs are constructed with 50 percent recycled plastic.
• All District vehicles meet and/or exceed EPA Clean Fuel Fleet Emissions Standards output, which is a requirement from the State imposed in 1996. We are fully compliant and each unit passes our state emissions tests yearly.
• Increased areas of naturalized turf within our park system to help control water run-off and erosion. This also helps provide a cleaner environment for plants.
• Provide support to volunteer groups for river and stream clean-up and restoration. This helps provide cleaner streams and rivers and a better environment for living organisms.