By Sunny McKinnon
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Doing the right thing for the environment once meant tossing the newspapers into the recycling bin. Certainly that does help, but now, with the emphasis on global warming, efforts to go green are no longer a choice but a necessity, and initiatives are being implemented on a larger, corporate scale.

“We are constantly evaluating our current practices and looking for new ways to be environmentally friendly,” says Larry Ross, Erickson’s director of maintenance and engineering. “All our communities adhere to energy standard codes, such as in Texas where requirements call for efficiency initiatives such as programmable thermostats. To be certain that we are very aware of our responsibilities, we have just hired a national energy manager who will be responsible for proposing and implementing strategies for energy efficiencies.”

Ross indicates that maintenance staffs at each community evaluate the mechanical systems and incorporate energy-efficient factors into the day-to-day operations. In the coming months, housekeeping will begin using green cleaners.

Here’s how you can help keep the planet green
The more we learn about the effect humans have on the earth, the more we know we need to lighten our individual impact on the planet.

In celebration of Earth Day, April 22, consider adopting these suggestions as part of your everyday life: