Plan-It Green Toolbox
It’s one thing to want to make eco-friendly changes in your park, but another thing to know what to do and how to go about initiating changes that make a difference. ARVC is committed to taking a leadership role in assisting RV park and campground owners in their path to Plan-It Green.
We have offered some beginning ideas here and will build them over time. If you have an idea to add or reference you have found helpful, let us know. If you would like to learn from/share with other outdoor hospitality industry leaders who are making “green changes” in their parks, join our Plan-It Green Listserv where learning is real-time and real-world.
Waste Management and Recycling
Renewable Energy
Energy Conservation
Water Conservation
Renewable Building Materials
Appliances
*ARVC would like to thank the National Park Service for supplying information helpful to this site. ARVC and the NPS share a commitment to preserving and protecting our country’s natural resources and to diligent environmental stewardship.
Waste Prevention and Waste Management
Waste reduction makes good business sense because proper practices in this area can save your park money through reduced purchasing and waste disposal costs. Learn more about waste reduction from one of the following sites.
WasteWise provides free technical assistance to help you develop, implement, and measure your waste reduction activities. WasteWise offers publicity to organizations that are successful in reducing waste through EPA, publications, case studies, and national and regional events. These events also provide networking opportunities for organizations to share waste reduction ideas and success stories.
Waste Prevention World is the website from the California Integrated Waste Management Board and offers information on “the first component of the waste management hierarchy—waste prevention—and finding creative ways to reduce the amount of waste we produce”.
Spotlight on Waste Prevention is a site for you if you need to be convinced about how source reduction efforts may benefit your park and the environment as a whole.
Recycling
One of the best sources of information on where to recycle products locally is Earth’s 911, the Public and Private Sector Partnership for the Environment.
Renewable energy is available in a variety of applications which can reduce energy consumption, preclude energy utilization, and/or lessen our dependence on non-renewable energy sources.
Solar Thermal
Solar panels heating air or water for domestic use, pool heating and other applications is a viable technology in virtually every park area. A wide variety of products have been designed to perform in various climates. Most systems can provide all water heating requirements during the summer months and preheat requirements during the winter.
Hydroelectricity
Small or micro hydro facilities can, with little impact, provide energy in many locations. Run-of-the-river plants can take direct energy of the river without impound and associated environmental concerns. Even in places where you might least expect to find hydro-energy at work it may be found. Note: One national park has utilized pelton wheels to provide power since the 1930’s!
Wind
Wind energy is one of the most renewable resources often overlooked in park settings for a variety of reasons. However, it can provide ample energy for electrical generation and water plumbing. New, small (300 watt) units can be incorporated into photovoltaic systems to balance power production with little impact on other resources. Visit the American Wind Energy Association to learn more about wind energy related information. You can also consider contracting with a green energy supplier to provide your park with wind generated electricity.
Solar Walls
A south facing wall of a structure can be covered with a solar wall which consists of a porous metal exterior with an air gap behind. As the air heats, it is brought into the building which reduces the heating demand.
Building Orientation
When planning a new facility, many factors enter into the selection of a site location. One factor that should be considered, whenever possible, is to orient the building to take best advantage of passive solar heating, day lighting, and orientation of the roof for placement of solar systems.
Energy conservation is one of the fastest and most economical methods of reducing your energy bill. Take time to evaluate your energy loads and shed them whenever possible.
Utility Lighting Retrofits
Your local utility may offer an energy audit of your facility as a public service. One major change that may be suggested is to look at your lighting load and changing out bulbs to reduce your utility bill. One 18 watt twin tube fluorescent bulb will replace a 100 watt incandescent bulb, last 4 times longer, 25% less landfill material, and in many cases provide a better quality of light. The higher costs generally reach simple payback in less than 4 years. Some utilities offer fiscal incentive to facilitate the retrofit.
Thermostat Adjustments
Look at your thermostat adjustments and consider making small adjustments to begin savings.
Office Energy Management
If you aren’t turning off lights, computers, and copy machines at night and during the day when they aren’t in use, you may see a savings of 5%-15% on your electric bill if you practice good office energy stewardship practices! An occupancy sensor is available that can shut off computer monitors, printers, and peripherals when work stations are unoccupied.
Park-site Biking
If you use a campground vehicle to take you on routine errands around your site, consider using a cruiser bicycle instead. In addition to reducing pollution, saving fuel, and vehicle mileage, park employees get a little exercise in for the day as well!
Water is often considered the cheap utility, not worthy of consideration for conservation. However, water is indeed costly in many ways; it depletes aquifers, requires energy for pumping, chemicals for treatment, and staffing to operate treatment plants.
Low Flush Toilets
Reduce your water bill and consumption by 65%! It is possible with a toilet retrofit. Don’t forget to have any fixtures you replace recycled.
Waterless Urinals
Whenever you are involved in a project to replace old or install new urinals, you should consider installing a unit that uses no water. “Waterless” urinals can provide very positive paybacks in short order. They offer direct water savings, elimination of valve installation and maintenance costs, and reduced sewage treatments.
Shower/Flow Restrictors
Depending on your water pressure, a flow restrictor or low flow showerhead can reduce water usage by up to 50%, at a one time cost between $3.00-$95.00. Payback time for water conservation projects is often measured in months.
Xeriscape Landscaping
Xeriscape is a style of landscaping using drought tolerant local species which require little water, care or treatment. A side benefit of such landscaping is that visitors can be educated on native species while at the park.
Grey Water Reutilization
In some locations it is legal to utilize grey water for irrigation and non-consumptive use. Secondary use of grey water can reduce loading on septic/sewer systems while reducing demand in the aquifer for fresh water.
Rain and Fog Drip Collection
A 1” rainfall collected from a 1,500 square foot structure generates over 1,000 gallons of water which can be used for consumption, irrigation, and other uses.
Recycled Lumber
Salvaged, re-milled or recovered lumber products are available which are often of better quality wood than you can purchase new.
Plastic/Alternative Woods
For many applications, such as decking, docks, and fencing, wood substitute material made from recycled plastics are available.
Recycled Roofing
Roofing shingles made from recycled aluminum, plastic, copper, or wood fiber are available. Check with your local roofing vendor and specify roofing materials with a recycled content.
Copper Wiring Sized to Save Energy
You can save energy by increasing the size of the copper wire in your structures. For more information on copper wire and product application, visit the Copper Development Association.
The National Park Service is asking all parks to purchase energy-using products that are among the 25% most energy-efficient products available. ARVC members should consider the same!
Clothes Dryers
The most energy efficient design in clothes drying is a solar powered unit, which has proven itself in actual consumer testing over thousands of years. When purchasing new dryers, get ones with a moisture sensor control which can save 15%-25% through reduced run times.
Water Heaters
Heating water for domestic use is another large consumer of energy. Consider insulating your water heater with a blanket and all hot water pipes to the end used. These simple measures can reduce your energy bill for hot water by up to 15%. Also the temperature of the hot water heater does not need to be over 160 degrees, which will reduce scalding possibilities, and further save energy. It is recommended that you don’t reduce the temperature below 120 degrees as that may allow Legionella to grow in your tanks.
Refrigerators
In the United States, 26% of all electricity generated is used to operate refrigerators. Whenever you are considering the replacement or procurement of a new refrigerator, you should get the most energy efficient one possible.