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Sustainability
Committee: Paint, Bikes, and Compost
By Pat Vaughn, from the August 2005 Newsletter
If you took
the “guided tour” of the new store location,
or even if you’ve just looked in the doors, you know that
real work has begun on transforming the existing building into
our new Co-op. And concurrently, the Sustainability Committee,
with Kathleen Ryan now at the helm as the new chairperson, is generating
real decisions and excitement.
Bike riders
are a priority for the Co-op in supporting alternatives to driving
cars. Bike “experts,” including Phil Cook
from Moscow’s Transportation Committee and Tom Lamar from
PCEI, offered their insights. There are many resources for commercial
stores that want to welcome bikes. The Association of Pedestrian & Bicycle
Professionals and the Retailers Guide to Implementing Effective
Bicycle Parking are just two. Moscow’s city government has
been supportive of assisting businesses in providing bicycle parking,
to include some engineering plans, and the University of Idaho
has some great examples of functional bike parking. The committee
found a consensus that 36” wide spacing is desirable, and
the “A” style racks are simple yet effective for locking.
Choices remain
on how to raise money for bicycle racks, who will fabricate them
and what kind of finish to apply (galvanized, powder
coat, or “rusted”). Whatever the ultimate design, parking
space will be located conveniently; the Co-op is willing to displace
some auto parking if necessary, and the committee would even support
incentives in the store for bike riders.
Ever wonder
about the safe and sustainable alternatives to interior paint?
There are a lot of considerations. No-VOC and low-VOC have
been growing in popularity as more consumers are conscious of their
personal health. But even some of those alternatives are made with
toxic components. PVC’s, petroleum and plastics are present
in some paints. And generally only pastels and light colors are
available in no-VOC paints. The committee is studying the ingredients
of different paints to consider the relative merits of VOC, sustainability
in production, natural ingredients and color options. It’s
no small decision, as the new interior requires 15-20 thousand
square feet. When it’s done, you’ll see golds, oranges,
and reds, maybe some greens. A dark color is desired for the ceiling
to make it “go away” and give an intimate feel to the
store. Rodda and SafeCoat are two options that are being researched.
Currently
the Co-op composts produce and kitchen waste by bagging it and
placing it outside where gardeners and farmers pick it up.
But the system needs improvement—maybe a commercial bin, or
partnering with another organization in Moscow. And there are EPA
and local health district regulations on what should and shouldn’t
be composted commercially. It turns out that there are commercial
composting bins. The “Earth Tub” will handle 40 – 400
lbs of biomass daily. Purchase cost is a big issue. The committee
learned that the Permaculture Credit Union of New Mexico will give
a ¾ percent discount on loans for any sustainable improvement
or purchase. How cool would that be—an Earth Tub or other aesthetically
pleasing bin dispensing “black gold” right at the Co-op.
The Co-op
will continue to recycle the same materials at the new location
(egg cartons, paper bags, plastic containers, plastic
bags). The plastics are cleaned, and all those items are re-used.
Shelving and counter space are planned to continue the program.
The committee is working through some issues to make recommendations
on where the main “staging area” for recyclables should
be, and how best to coordinate the loading dock operation and Moscow
Recycling schedule. For example, deliveries by up to 55’ semi
trailers have to share the same alley with two cardboard dumpsters
and a garbage dumpster, the city may have regulations on blocking
the alley, there are safety issues with the concrete dock and steps,
and what if the recycling truck and a Mountain Peoples delivery
show up at the same time? The devil is in the details and the sustainability
committee and management team are delving into many of them.
Just like
at the old location, we will likely grow into our new store over
time. As resources and ideas merge, and the management
and members get a feel for our new space, it will become more functional,
more beautiful, and a better example of sustainability. A green
area design for around the main parking lot is one example. Landscaping
and seating in front of the store is another. And the shady space
under the trees will be saved. A “quick trip” to the
Co-op will probably be just as unlikely at our new store as the
current one. I can’t wait.
Pat Vaughan is thrilled he got to see the gutted “before” image
of our new store so he can contrast it with the “after” in
just a couple months. |
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