As a proud Gold Sponsor of the recent Going Green Matters environmental fair on Sunday, March 8th, we were delighted to see so many participants and families learn ways to live sustainably and care for our environment. Eco-stations with local volunteers and community resources shared helpful tips for the home and garden, exhibitors showcased technological innovations for home and commuting, and environmental organizations promoted simple ways one can help nature and support one’s health. At our table, we shared ways to manage rainwater responsibly, offered plant selections that help pollinators, and answered landscaping-related questions.
At “home”, meaning our facility in Evanston, we practice environmental stewardship daily:
- 95% percent of our trucks and heavy machinery are powered by biodiesel, a renewable energy source derived from recycled oils and animal fats, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
- We use a variety of backpack leaf blowers: some are gasoline-powered, some are powered by clean-burning propane, and this spring, we will also deploy industry-grade electric backpack blowers.
- We recycle thousands of plastic plant containers each season.
- All grass clippings and leaves are collected weekly and recycled into compost.
- We have construction soil cleaned and reconditioned so it can be used again.
- Used oil from our equipment is stored in 55-gallon drums and picked up by our oil supplier to be cleaned and recycled.
- All of the excavated concrete and asphalt we remove from job sites is taken to waste facilities that recycle the materials into new hardscape materials, or the materials are re-used in other ways.
- Our nursery houses beehives to support pollination by honey bees. Honey bees are often misunderstood as they are mistaken for aggressive yellowjacket wasps. We demonstrate to our friends and neighbors how easy and rewarding beekeeping is, and highlight the crucial role they play.
- We implemented a 3,400-gallon underground rainwater recapturing system. By reclaiming thousands of gallons of rain water from our roof, we are able to supplement our irrigation system in our nursery.
- In our offices, we recycle paper products and take note of recycling symbols on plastic packaging, recycling accordingly. We use compostable flatware, plates and cups.
Our employees work hard each day to beautify our clients’ outdoor living spaces, and the green efforts we make at work show our commitment to making the planet a better place.
