Sustainability

Designing for Sustainability

A learning environment must be cleaned and maintained without doing harm to natural surroundings. Certain chemicals and practices can be unhealthy for both people and the environment. We avoid those.

Implementing a green program requires some changes to many aspects of your operation. AFS has the knowledge and experience to create a first-rate, custom plan that will focus on all areas of sustainability, including:

Green cleaning
Rainwater recapture
Reduced water usage
Green space management
Sustainable building design
Recycling, composting and waste management
Energy management and reduction of consumption

Not Just About the Environment

It is incumbent upon professionals in our business to embrace concepts that can be replicated. Proven practices and innovation are both important, and both must also be sustainable over time.

Sufficient planning to avoid duplication
Cross training to increase value and flexibility
Schedules that repeatedly achieve desired results
Financial decisions with both short and long range focus
Sound practices like "just-in-time" delivery of goods
Decisions that neither overcomplicate nor oversimplify
A balance of customer needs and team requirements
Labor designed to maximize productivity and job satisfaction

A Little More Detail to Consider

These are ideas that we employ when we can. While not every campus can accomplish all of these, many are worth considering because they tend to:

Improve air and environmental quality
Have minimal environmental impact
Reduce waste and energy consumption

Custodial

Certified green chemicals that deliver a high quality result and have minimum environmental impact
Technologies like microfiber mops, cloths, HEPA filtered vacuums, and cleaning methods that use less water and chemicals

Recycling

Enhancement to existing program or development of one specifically for you
Reduced waste stream and costs, and positive environmental impact
Promotion of a "green consciousness" among students, staff, visitors and administration

Food Waste Recycling

Creation of compost or fertilizer supporting your landscaping
Potential of biofuel for use in vehicles and/or equipment

Maintenance

Adjustments to maximize efficiency of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and electrical systems
Large or small infrastructure upgrades delivering long term savings

Landscape

Environmentally friendly lawn care products
Equipment selections that support sustainability

Gardens

AFS will support local gardens placed on your property as a learning opportunity for students and staff.
Rooftop gardens have the potential to reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 25%.

New Construction

Assistance with material selection ensuring maintainability, lower cost of ownership, less environmental impact
Support for LEED certification or just a healthier and more energy efficient building