REAE 5304 Perren Bell April 13, 2013

Sustainability & The Built Environment

What is Sustainability

Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment. 

Sustainability creates and maintains the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations.

Where is Sustainability?

•Local Governments•Schools•Corporations•Churches•Non-Profits•Residential Developments•Industrial Developments•Farms

Three Main Focus Areas

Eco-Municipality Local, municipal, or county government

that has adopted a particular set of sustainability principles and is committed to a bottom-up, participatory approach for implementing this

Private Corporations Corporate Social Responsibility Policy

Residential Developments Green Residential Home Construction

Organizations in Sustainability

Lawrence Township, NJ Apple Prairie Crossing (Grayslake, IL)

Sustainable Lawrence

Group of residents, businesses, congregations, and other organizations dedicated to creating a sustainable community in Lawrence Township, NJ.

Mission: “To encourage the people and institutions of Lawrence Township to cooperatively adopt fundamental principles of sustainability and to develop policies and practices that fulfill those principles.”

Sustainable Lawrence Policies & Practices

Reduce fossil fuels and wasteful use of limited metals and minerals

Reduce harmful chemicals and wasteful use of synthetic substances

Take care of natural resources Meet human needs fairly and

efficiently

History

Established in January 2005 Environmental forum held by the Lawrence

Township Community Foundation the Lawrenceville School

Keynote speaker Sarah James, author of The Natural Step for Communities She emphasized the collaboration of local

governments and the community to initiate change

A 3 Day Sustainability Conference was held that led to sustainability action plans

Sustainable Practices

Household Battery Management

•Some NJ counties have been recycling batteries since the early 1990s•Rechargeable batteries can be found in:•Cordless power tools•Cellular phones•Laptops•Digital Cameras•Camcorders•Remote control toys•Alkaline batteries however, are considered hazardous waste and can be disposed in regular trash

7 Easy Things

Lower thermostat degree in winter months

Consume locally produced food Use CFLs (Compact Fluorescent

Lights) Less time behind the wheel – walk,

bike, carpool, etc. Turn of the lights when not using Drink tap water instead of bottled

water Teach kids about sustainable

practices

Living Lawns Campaign

Goal: all Lawrence Township lawns completely free of toxic pesticides and fertilizers

Purpose: Protect surface water quality in local

streams and run-off Provide a less polluted local environment Create a healthier living environment

throughout the community Save $$$

Apple Inc. & Sustainabilityhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8gc-iwI6vw

Total Carbon Footprint

Estimates for 2012 indicate Apple was responsible for 30.9 million metric tons

98% of carbon footprint is related to products

The remaining 2% is related to facilities, including data centers

Apple’s focus is to improve their products environmental performance

Manufacturing

Accounts for 61% of Apple’s greenhouse gas emissions

Material use: MacBook & iPad products have become

thinner but yet more durable Toxic substance removal

Eliminated BFRs (brominated flame retardants) and use mercury-free LED lights in displays

Responsible manufacturing Implemented 55 environment audits in 2012

Transportation

• 5% of Apple’s greenhouse gas emissions come from the transportation of products

• Efficient packaging design reduces materials and waste

Recycling

2% of Apple’s greenhouse gas emissions are related to cycling

Product recyclability Materials used such as arsenic-free glass, high-

grade aluminum, and strong polycarbonate are reclaimed by recyclers for use in new products.

Responsible recycling Nothing is shipped overseas for recycling or

disposal. Doesn’t allow the disposal of hazardous

electronic waste in solid-waste landfills or incinerators

Recycling Cont’d

Recycling programs Instituted recycling programs in cities and

college campuses in 95 percent of the countries where our products are sold

Some areas have a formal take-back program that arrange for pickup, transport, and environmentally sound recycling of end-of-life electronics. 

Achieved a worldwide recycling rate of 70% in 2012 and expects to maintain this level through 2015

Prairie Crossing

“Prairie Crossing is a widely acclaimed conservation community in Grayslake, Illinois. The community was designed to combine the preservation of open land, easy commuting by rail, and responsible development practices. It is now considered a national example of how to plan our communities to enhance the environment and support a better way of life”.

Prairie Crossing

Great place for boating, fishing or skating on the community's lakes, and swimming at the sandy beach

On-site Prairie Crossing Charter School, a public elementary school where learning is focused on the natural environment

Homes are 50% more energy-efficient than comparable homes in the Chicago area

There are two rail lines that connections to Chicago and O'Hare International Airport, close proximity from Prairie Crossing

Prairie Crossing

More than 60 percent of the 677-acre site is protected open land that is actively used by people and wildlife

Residents have access to the Prairie Crossing Organic Farm

Historic buildings were preserved for current use

Native landscaping also serves an important function in cleansing the storm water on the site and protecting the water quality of lakes

Prairie Crossing

Organic Farm

Grow certified organic produce including vegetables, fruit, flowers and eggs without toxic chemicals or pesticides

Within is the Learning Farm Promotes the integration of healthy ecosystems and the

vibrant human communities they support Includes 3 acres of land, several greenhouses, a

children's garden, and a hen house as outdoor classrooms

Summer farm camp for children 12 and under Prairie Farm Corps - a paid job training program for

racially and economically diverse teens from central Lake County, Illinois interested in sustainable agriculture

Transportation

References

http://www.instituteforecomunicipalities.org/

http://www.epa.gov/sustainability/ http://www.sustainablelawrence.org/ http://www.apple.com/environment/ http://www.prairiecrossing.com/