We will be posting additional ways the Arboretum is working on the three Rs on RECYCLE, REUSE and REDUCE. Check back to see what else is happening. And let us know what you are doing at home or at your place of business.

RECYCLE
• Arboretum employees recycle office waste, Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) and batteries.
• Cardboard and packing materials are collected for recycling.
• Construction materials such as metals and asphalt are recycled or saved for reuse.
• Tyvec envelopes are collected and recycled into building materials.
• A depository for used Visitor Maps is located outside of the Visitor Center.

REDUCE
• Trees removed from the grounds are reused as lumber for benches or other needed wood materials or shredded into mulch for the trail system.
• Landscape waste is composted for use in planting beds and construction projects.
• New napkin dispensers are on each table in the Ginkgo Restaurant. Studies show that fewer napkins are used if customers have easy access to them.
• The Volunteer Office has gone paperless. Starting in February 2008, the 900+ volunteers access Branches newsletter on the Arboretum website and other information through email.
• 100% recycled paper is used by all departments in printers and copiers.

Arboretum Resource Conservation Committee
The Morton Arboretum’s RCC was formed to develop methods for evaluating the state of resource conservation in our facilities and to recommend methods for improvement. The group, comprised of representative from each department at the Arboretum, meets monthly. Many of the organization’s initiatives are a result of their efforts. An intranet presence has been created for the RCC to educate and further encourage the 3 Rs – Recycle, Reuse, Reduce – and maybe a fourth: RETHINK.

The Morton Arboretum goal:  ZERO WASTE by 2017

REDUCE
Pollution
• The Arboretum maintains their fleet of vehicles and equipment frequently to ensure efficient use and a reduction of air pollution
• The Arboretum grounds are now open to biking! Bring your bike and get some exercise while reducing pollution.
• A no-idling policy is in place to reduce pollution. The policy states no diesel vehicle should idle more than 10 minutes in adherence with the state law.

Energy Consumption
• The Facilities department has replaced incandescent bulbs with CFLs and continues to upgrade all lighting to more energy efficient systems.
• Building automation systems are installed in both the Visitor Center and Thornhill Education Center to control temperatures, establish set points and turn systems down in the evenings
• Automatic light switches are being tested in several offices and restrooms in the buildings.

Since its founding in 1922, the Arboretum has demonstrated sustainable practices to benefit the community. As an outdoor museum, the Arboretum showcases trees as essential elements of livable communities and a healthful environment. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, the major source of greenhouse gas (up to 50 pounds per tree each year), and release oxygen. They shelter and provide nesting habitats for wildlife, retain moisture in soils, hold topsoil in place, and provide shade and cooling.

REDUCE
Water Consumption
• To reduce the use of municipal water, the Arboretum uses water from Meadow Lake to supply the irrigation systems in the core visitor area. This saved over 6 million gallons of domestic water in 2007. The Thornhill campus also uses a well water system to irrigate adjacent areas.

• Water conservation flush valves have been installed on all toilets in the Visitor Center to conserve water. The green handles will use 30% less water when pulled up or the typical 1.6 gallons of water if pushed down for a flush.

Plastic Use
• Twenty-ounce plastic soft drink bottles are collected and donated to Terra Cycle where they are reused for packaging their products

• Volunteers and employees wash plastic planters acquired when purchasing plants from nurseries that are then reused. The plastic these containers are made of is difficult to recycle and that service is currently not available in this area.

Since its founding in 1922, the Arboretum has demonstrated sustainable practices to benefit the community. As an outdoor museum, the Arboretum showcases trees as essential elements of livable communities and a healthful environment. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, the major source of greenhouse gas (up to 50 pounds per tree each year), and release oxygen. They shelter and provide nesting habitats for wildlife, retain moisture in soils, hold topsoil in place, and provide shade and cooling.