5 Step Earth Day Challenge

EARTH DAY TURNS 40

WHAT FSI IS DOING FOR THE PLANET

IN THIS ISSUE

FSI Staff Efforts

What FSI Has Done

5 Step Challenge

Greetings!

It's hard to believe that Earth Day has been around for 40 years - it started back in 1970 as a 24-hour environmental teach-in after a spark caused oil and pollutants on the Cuyahoga River to catch fire. We've come a long way since those days, and today many of us say we are in favor of environmentally friendly products and habits, but do you really know how to make a difference?

You may already know that Flooring Services is committed to supporting sustainability whenever the opportunity to do so presents itself. In this newsletter, we'd like to share with you some of the steps we've taken to do our part.

We challenge you to look at your habits and systems to see where you can step up your contribution to a sustainable earth. On a personal level, see what 5 easy things you can do to get started!

FLOORING SERVICES STAFF EFFORTS

Our founder and president, Bruce Reeve, leads our charge by attaining the designation of LEED AP Building Design + Construction. Don't forget you can not only attain LEED points by having Bruce on your planning team, but benefit from his expertise in flooring as well.

Bruce is also actively involved in the Detroit Regional Chapter of USGBC - he assists Ray Meganck of Blueridge Carpets as co-chair of the study group section of the Education Committee. By forming study groups for those interested in becoming LEED AP or LEED Green Associate credentialed, they have helped over 100 others prepare for the tests.

CHANGES AT FSI

Since acquiring our building six years ago, FSI has opted for efficient, sustainable building components whenever possible. Some of the upgrades include:

Windows/doors - replaced with insulated

Roof system - replaced with white roof to reduce heat island

HVAC system - replaced CFC rooftop units with efficient units using economizers. Also use cross-vent vs. air conditioning in the warehouse area

Insulation - double standard on roof and insulated all block and bond areas

Outdoor lighting - Trimmed trees to allow maximum natural daylight and replaced fixtures with CF fixtures

Indoor lighting - created zones reducing the number of fixtures needed and replaced fixtures with high efficiency fixtures

Waste handling - perhaps the single most noticeable change has been what we throw away. Instead of separating recyclable from other waste and making trips to various recycle statons, we now use Greenday Disposal for all our waste handling and recycling. This company shares our ideals about landfill avoidance; we can put EVERYTHING in the dumpster, and they will separate it at their yard and make sure nothing ends up in a landfill.

FIVE STEP CHALLENGE AT HOME

It's time to wonder what YOU can be doing to help the planet. Here are some ideas to start with:

Online bills - it's said that one tree can be saved for every 13 people that change one account to paperless billing.

Shorter showers - based on the average shower head flow rate, you can save 1,000 gallons of water a year by cutting your shower time by only one minute a day.

Laundry power - 90% of the cost of washing clothes comes from heating the water. Using cold water is just as effective on all but the dirtiest loads.

Grocery shopping - buying produce that's in season and grown locally not only uses less fuel to get to you, but you'll find it also tastes better.

Renewable energy - enroll in your local energy provider's renewable energy program. The amount of carbon dioxide already offset by DTE's GreenCurrents program is equal to the emissions of over 6,000 passenger cars.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information on anything discussed in this newsletter, just contact our office 734-522-2622.

We're happy to share our story in more detail, put you in touch with sustainable businesses, or help you analyze what your business can be doing to become more sustainable.