A View from the Center: Earth Day

by Michelle Sedaca, Program Associate
South Africa Partners

Michelle Sedeca with Jackie Cefola, program coordinator at the NonProfit Center A staff member of a NonProfit Center tenant organization, Michelle writes this monthly column on life at the center, and the unique culture of a multi-tenant center created specifically for nonprofits. Photo credit:Michelle (left) meeting with Jackie Cefola, program coordinator at the NonProfit Center

Deepening Our Green Practices

Wouldn’t you like to know that the carpets in your office were produced with toxic-free materials, and the cleaning supplies are environmentally-friendly? Wouldn't be reassuring to know that the lights automatically turn on and off in your office space to reduce energy usage?

On April 18, members of the NonProfit Center community learned about these and other green building practices followed by the building in a breakfast conversation with Capital Paper, a company which specializes in recycling. Commemorating Earth Day, NonProfit Center tenants learned how their organizations can improve their recycling efforts to complement the center's green policies.

According to Megan Kenney, property manager at Jones Lang LaSalle (the building’s management company), the NPC currently recycles 25 percent of the materials that can be recycled. The goal is to increase the percentage to 50 percent within the year.

Beyond Recycling

Besides an ambitious recycling program, the NPC has implemented several environmentally-friendly policies which include: monitored lighting, a cooling and heating efficient system, and reused furniture/materials.

As progressive, social change organizations at the NPC, Jackie Cefola, the NPC’s program coordinator, believes that we are all committed to the ideals of a green building.“[Green practices] enable future generations to have access to a clean environment and to necessary resources,” said Cefola.

The NPC holds an official green building status through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. The steps to qualify for LEED certification involved rigorous testing according to Leah McNeil, office/operations manager at TSNE.

A Commitment to Being Green

“It's a badge of honor,” expressed Kenney. She jointly works with McNeil, to ensure that the building adheres to its environmental standards.

“Whenever there’s a green product available, we use it,” Kenney said.

“We are a work in-progress. We're always striving to improve,” McNeil added. Future green plans include converting the building to an alternate, energy-efficient fuel.

Michael Oshman, executive director of the Green Restaurant Association (GRA), strongly believes in the NPC’s environmental practices. He credits the building for doing “a great job.”

Oshman’s alarm about the environment first struck when he realized, “the prospect that we as humans could be eliminating a vital part of the planet.” Contrary to this reality, Oshman focuses on restoring the earth. His organization trains restaurants to choose eco-friendly products, as well as to effectively recycle.

Collaboration for a Healthy Planet

Oshman enjoys collaborating with organizations at the NPC. “There is a synergy with other organizations,” he comments. Aptly illustrating that point, Oshman described a recent event that his organization shared with Chefs Collaborative, an organization which promotes a sustainable environment through the use of local foods. GRA identified a green-certified restaurant in which Chefs Collaborative could host an event. Perfectly timed, Oshman formally certified the restaurant during the event.

For Steve Pratt, executive director of Boston After School and Beyond, the NPC’s green standards satisfy the cyclist in him. Pratt commutes to work each day from Arlington via bike. He glows about the convenience of having showers located within the building, as well as a safe place to park his wheels.

“Biking is good for the earth and gets your workout out of the way,” Pratt matter-of-factly said. For those fearful of the open road, Pratt encourages you to try biking. In fact , the NPC hosted a basic training on commuting via bike to celebrate Bike Week 2007.

In addition to the bike commuting training, the NPC hosts many green workshops that guide tenants in eco-friendly office practices. For some small changes you can make, please visit Going Green. And to learn about upcoming events at the center, visit Current Events.

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