In recognition of our responsibilities to the planet, the Wetlands Institute has adopted long-term, eco-friendly practices into our daily work place. These initiatives are intended to make a positive impact on the environment and to increase awareness of how easy it is to make a meaningful contribution towards a healthier, more sustainable world.
Our Go Green Initiatives:
- Print Smart
- Using paper that is 100% recycled and processed chlorine free
- Maximizing paperless communication; emailing and scanning documents as opposed to printing and faxing
- Integrating Energy Star Qualified printers and encouraging duplex printing
- Responsible Disposal
- 100% of our cardboard, glass, aluminum and plastic are recycled with the Cape May County MUA
- Coordination of proper e-waste disposal
- Banning Styrofoam – The Institute hosts a number of activities and outside events. We have requested all outside vendors to provide an alternative to Styrofoam (and preferably plastic) supplies
- Composting garden waste
- Rethinking Supplies
- The purchase of recycled common office supplies such as pens, paper clips, file folders and so forth
- Use of compostable dining products such as cups, plates, utensils and napkins
- Healthy Work Environment
- A smoke-free work environment
- No idling – The Institute hosts over 9,000 school children each year. We encourage our bus drivers to not idle in our parking lot, while waiting for students to complete their programs. Drivers are welcome to visit the Institute, free of charge, during the students’ programs.
- Renewable Energy
- In the Spring of 2012, the Wetlands Institute completed the expansion of the Solar Panel installation on the South facing side of the roof. The project was completed in two increments starting in 2010.
- Project #1 (completed in 2011): In cooperation with the Cape May County Vocational Technical High School. Students installed 24 solar panels to the Institute’s Diller Deck roof. These 24 compensate for a total of 4% of the Institute’s annual power usage, with an annual cost savings of $1,008, and also generating $3,055 in SRECs (Solar Renewable Energy Credits) to date, that is split between the Wetlands Institute and the Vocational Technical High School. The project provided green jobs.
- Project #2 (completed in Spring 2012): This project is in memory of the Wetlands Institute’s Board Member, Samuel Roberts, and is generously funded by his family and supporters of the Roberts Memorial Fund. This project installed 49 additional panels that will generate almost 12 kilowatts of power, and supply an estimated 8.6% of annual electricity for the Wetlands Institute. The project is estimated to reduce CO2 production by more than 29,000 lbs/year (equivalent to planting almost 1,500 trees) and save almost 11,000 gallons of water/year.
Click here for a full description of the Institute’s Solar Energy program