Sometimes the initiative to improve a building’s environmental performance comes from property management, and at other times it is kick-started by building residents. Below are some tips for residents interested in initiating environmental improvement projects in their buildings.
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Find like-minded residents to team up with. Consider setting up a “conservation committee” or “green team” to identify options and develop proposals for improving the building’s environmental performance.
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Do the research. Collect data to make your case. Estimate the costs and spell out the benefits of implementing the environmental practice.
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Look for “low-hanging fruit.” When you’re first getting started, it may be easier to get buy-in from building management (or Board of Directors if you live in a condominium) to implement changes that do not have a large price tag, such as switching to high efficiency light bulbs in the common areas of the building.
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Make your case in writing and include supporting evidence.
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Identify grants and rebates available that can reduce the cost of the investment.
- Educate other residents about the initiative. Create signs, send emails, post on your building’s Facebook page, write articles for the building’s newsletter.