Golden Generation goes Green

Thrifty seniors initiate waste reduction plans

The headline says it all. Pretty soon thoughts of young hippies donning green, peace symbol t-shirts advocating and marching for green reform will disappear.  Now the golden-era is in on the movement to better green living. Take a look at this article posted in the Baltimore Business Journal. I thought it was fantastic. A company was honored due to their plan incorporating waste reduction policies and innovative building infrastructure to make the senior housing community a sustainable community.  

“A lot of people think that only the young people in the world are addressing these issues,” said General Services Director Joyce Malone. “Our residents come from a generation that wasn’t wasteful at all, and they don’t like to see waste.”

I took this to heart. My granddad has been an advocate for sustainability for over 50 years! That is correct, when his first born came into the world and his family began to grow to five he knew that being resourceful was the way to go. As a kid growing up, we were not to leave a light on in the room or any electronic device plugged in or on if we were not using it. All of us grandkids were made quite aware of this rule and if we did not obey, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram may be reading the back of your head. (I say this with the upmost respect, DaddyJack)

In 2009 they installed a $1 million green roof. The replacement was due anyway, and parent company Erickson Retirement Communities    Erickson Retirement Communities Latest from The Business Journals Trustee: Erickson funneled millions to personal accountsTrustee: Erickson funneled millions to personal accountsLinden Ponds expected to tap reserves Follow this company decided to spend $200,000 more than the price of a traditional roof in order to pursue the environmental solution.

“We said, if we know we are going to have to replace the roof, maybe we can think of being green in doing that,” Malone said.

Here are the results of making such an investment:

·         the 36,000-square-foot roof has cut heat gain on the upper floor by 25 percent

·         reduced storm water runoff by 40 percent

·         here’s the fun fact:

o    Malone estimates the company will recoup the added expense within a year and a half through energy savings.

So therefore the ROI was beneficial and had a quick turnaround. Green initiatives should have a goal of showing the benefits within 1-2 years, before people forget.