Green Initiatives/Environmental Responsibility
Associated Estates is committed to conducting business in an environmentally responsible manner. This commitment is demonstrated by applying the principles of reduce, reuse and recycle whenever possible, while encouraging our employees and residents to actively participate in environmental and energy-saving initiatives.
Our Company:Associated Estates promotes environmental responsibility among our employees and residents by continually providing information on the benefits of conserving natural resources through best practice programs and processes, while also fostering a culture that encourages suggestions for reducing the Company’s environmental impact.
We work with environmentally responsible vendors whenever possible.
We minimize printed material distributed to employees by utilizing electronic versions of presentations, handbooks and educational materials whenever possible.
All broken and end-of-life computer equipment is forwarded to our domestic, non-landfill recycling vendor.
At Our Headquarters:
- Reusable coffee mugs are provided as an alternative to paper cups.
- We recycle batteries, toner cartridges, cell phones, plastic bottles, aluminum cans, florescent bulbs, white paper and mixed paper (magazines, newspaper, phone books, etc.).
- Our headquarters also features energy conserving characteristics such as tinted windows, and motion-sensor sinks and commodes.
- Associated Estates saves paper on flyers and promotional materials by referring prospects to our website to obtain further information.
At Our Properties:
- Secure, online payment portals allow our customers to complete routine transactions with us electronically, offering more convenience to our residents, while reducing the amount of paper transactions.
- Current residents can submit maintenance requests electronically, while prospective residents can reserve a unit and conduct their credit check online, all contributing to the reduction of paper used.
- All properties use recycled copy paper with up to 50% post-consumer content.
- All property computers are programmed to shut down each night at 10:00 p.m., saving energy that would have previously been wasted if computers were accidentally left on at the end of the day.
- Where geographically feasible, our properties offer plastic bottle, aluminum can, white paper and mixed paper recycling. Information on local recycling centers is – or will be – provided at most properties that don’t offer on-site recycling.
- Several communities offer battery and cellular phone recycling.
- Models and common areas are outfitted with compact fluorescent light bulbs, programmable thermostats and motion-detector or timer light switches.
- Many properties have easy access to public transportation for the residents.
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