North Hill, a continuing care retirement community, was honored by the Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce at its 2013 "Green Business Breakfast." North Hill was among five local organizations recognized for their leadership in reducing energy or other eco-friendly practices.
"Green business has become business as usual for North Hill," said David Maw, executive director of the continuing care retirement community located on the Needham/Wellesley town line. "As our campus is transformed through new construction, we are transforming attitudes and behaviors as well. I'm so proud to have our entire community recognized for their initiative."
The Green Business Awards Breakfast is designed to recognize businesses in Needham and Newton for outstanding achievements. Greg Reibman, president of the Newton-Needham Chamber, said the event also brings together "local businesses, energy and environmental experts and policy makers to discuss the challenges and opportunities related to preserving and protecting our environment."
For North Hill, the challenge has been to stay "green" while undergoing the largest construction / expansion initiative in the continuing care retirement community's history, True North.
Maw's team worked with contractors to establish goals and guidelines for re-using materials and reducing waste. In addition, North Hill residents and team members have switched to re-usable materials in dining venues, shared and acted on Green tips, and increased recycling.
Over the last 11 months, the recycling program has saved:
* 633 adult trees
* 161 cubic yards of landfill space
* 92 barrels of oil
* 37 metric tons of carbon equivalent
They also added an ozone generator to the commercial laundry. This step alone led to a 40% reduction in water use, 90% reduction in energy use and 300% longer linen life! Maw estimates North Hill had a savings of $31,356 in the last year due to this one change.