By Julia Boyle
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Doing the right thing for the environment once meant tossing newspapers in the recycling bin. Certainly that helps, but now, with a strong emphasis on global warming from organizations like the Earth Day Network, efforts to go green are no longer a choice but a necessity and 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 of our communities adhere to energy standard codes. 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,” he says.

Going green in the Garden State
Like most Erickson communities, Seabrook in Tinton Falls incorporated environmental responsibility from the beginning.

Community developers have already planted several species that are native to the area. “We have white pines, oaks, clethra, birches, and inkberry hollies,” says Mike Amalfa, grounds supervisor. “These are planted at various sites around the campus.”

Throughout any type of construction, Seabrook works with the Land Use Program of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to set guidelines for campus design and maintenance.

Ross indicates that maintenance staffs at every Erickson community evaluate the mechanical systems and incorporate energy-efficient factors into the day-today operations. In the coming months, housekeeping will begin using green cleaners, and they have already incorporated a convenient recycling program.