Hartford resident JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ wraps hot water pipes as part of a home energy efficiency assessment. He recently graduated from the weatherization program of Capital Community College, which trains residents like Justin for jobs in the green economy.
Switch your light bulbs to LED lighting by participating in one of the City’s light bulb swaps
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PAUL BREGLIO, President of Crest Mechanical, used financing from the CT Green Bank’s C-PACE program to jumpstart energy efficiency projects in his 34,500 square foot building. He expects to save more than $400,000 over the next twenty years. Now that’s good business sense.
Switch your light bulbs to LED lighting and put fixtures on automatic dimmers and switches
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Urban farmer SALVADOR CASALES grows produce in Hartford, including an extensive selection of peppers. Salvador got started with help from Knox, an organization overseeing 20 community gardens.
JENIFFER PEREZ CARABALLO manages the SNAP program at the farmers’ market of Billings Forge Community Works, which doubles or triples SNAP benefits for produce purchases.
Utilize a composting service such as Blue Earth, or learn to compost as an office on your own with these tips
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Hartford’s “Tree Lady,” CHARMAINE CRAIG, celebrates the revitalization of a North End garden. Influenced by a childhood spent on her grandfather’s farm, Charmaine has spent decades improving access to healthy trees and food. She continues to serve as a commissioner on the City’s Tree Commission.
Report instances of improper dumping, vandalism, ATV riding, and tree trimming/removal to the proper authorities to the city or the police
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Volunteer teams from THE HARTFORD renew the landscape at the corner of Homestead Avenue and Garden Street. Employees from The Hartford and other local companies make a big difference helping to keep our city green through clean-up days like this one, organized by Knox, as well as philanthropic support for worthy programs.
Sponsor activities in parks, such as Nightfall, Movies After Dark, community yoga, or any of the cultural and entertainment festivals and events taking place in Hartford parks each year
DWIGHT TEAL estimates that, along with his teacher Peter, he has repaired more than 1,000 bikes for local residents as Catholic Worker’s primary bike repairperson at 18 Clark Street. Dwight, who biked to classes at Manchester Community College from North Hartford, is a dedicated cyclist and local artist.
Minimize your household’s carbon footprint by reducing the number of cars owned by your family, using car sharing services like zipcar, or investing in low carbon electric or hybrid vehicles – often eligible for federal and state financial incentives
Bike to Work Day is an annual ritual for TRAVELERS, which is a Bronze-level Bike Friendly Business (League of American Bicyclists). The company’s downtown headquarters boasts showers, changing rooms, and racks, and employees participate in a Cycling Network. Roughly 25% of employees take the bus to work. Still others carpool.
Provide locker rooms/changing facilities on site to encourage bike commuting among employees or residents (and note that Downtown Hartford YMCA makes shower facilities available to bike commuters)
Update your fleet of vehicles with low carbon electric or hybrid models and provide electric vehicle charging stations on-site
Encourage employees to take advantage of Park & Ride services
Consider designating an employee transportation coordinator (which does not necessarily require the creation of a new position)
Note the minimized car parking requirements and increased bicycle parking requirements in Hartford’s updated zoning code
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Young Hartford residents participating in the Youth Service Corps learn basic carpentry skills and transform wood formerly bound for the landfill into useful products like benches, thanks to HERB VIRGO (at left) and the Keney Park Sustainability Project.
Members of BLUE EARTH COMPOST bring their portable (and educational) trash sorting apparatus to a North End community event. A recent recipient of grants to expand composting in Hartford, they have made a business of offering pick-up composting services to both residents and businesses around the city.
Use this guide for greening your business to see pollution prevention, waste, and recycling strategies
Utilize these resources to better manage and reduce waste in your building
A FISHERMAN fishes the Connecticut River, just north of Charter Oak Landing. Many Hartford residents take advantage of improved water quality and fish for sustenance or recreation. Programs like an annual “Cops and Bobbers” event with the Hartford Police and Fire Departments, broaden interest in clean waterways.
Fish, kayak, or walk along our city’s riverfront trails
KIMBERLY KELLY, horticulturalist at the Connecticut Science Center, maintains the rooftop garden and green roof. The 154,000 square foot building, which is LEEDcertified, is energy efficient, and also limits excess water consumption. The roof, with its native plantings, stays cooler in the summer and requires 50% less water for maintenance.
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