Sustainability Dashboard Tools Suggests Creating a “Colorful” Culture of Sustainability
Bloomington, IN – June 25, 2012 - Sustainability Dashboard Tools, LLC--creators of a cloud-based system to help businesses and facilities reduce their operating costs by better managing and monitoring their use of natural resources and materials--is encouraging facility managers, cleaning professionals, and building users to institute a color-coding* sustainability system to help reduce energy consumption.
The system would identify which power sources at the end of the day, over weekends or when rooms are unoccupied can be turned off, left on, or reported to facility management for further action.
According to Stephen Ashkin, CEO of Sustainability Dashboard Tools LLC, color-coding systems have already proved their value and are used for a variety of building operation needs.
“There are color-coded microfiber clothes, mop heads, and floor pads, as well as ‘specialist cleaning’ systems that use color-coding. This is a similar concept, but it specifically addresses sustainability.”
So how does it work? According to Ashkin, a red dot on a light switch or electrical device such as a projector, copier, printer or coffee pot should be turned off.
Similarly, a green dot could indicate that the outlet or device should always be left on even over nights and weekends. While a yellow dot could be applied to more sophisticated equipment such as computers to indicate that facility management should be contacted so they can determine the appropriate action.
“According to the National Energy Education Development Project [NEED], 60 percent of the electricity consumed in schools is used to operate lights, while 20 percent goes to ‘plug loads’ that power computers, copiers, printers, etc.,” says Ashkin. “Whenever and wherever we can turn these [power sources] off, we can reduce energy consumption, environmental impacts and operating costs.”
However, Ashkin notes, there is also a bigger idea behind sustainable color-coding systems. “The goal is to help create a ‘culture of sustainability’ for everyone who uses a facility. Every time someone sees a [colored] dot on a power source, they will be reminded that their individual actions are important and make a difference, even if it is as simple as turning off a light in an unoccupied room.”
* Color coding is a system of displaying information or instructions by using different colors.
About the Sustainability Dashboard Tool, LLC
The Sustainability Dashboard is an advance reporting system designed for everyone who is involved in sustainability programs. It is specifically designed to be easy to use, reduce environmental impacts, save money, and create a culture of sustainability. For more information visit: www.green2sustainable.com.
Company Contact:
Elizabeth Steward, marketing manager
Direct line: 812-606-7783
3644 Tamarron Drive
Bloomington, IN 47408
E-mail: info@ashkingroup.com
Media Contact: Robert Kravitz
AlturaSolutions Communications
Telephone: 773-525-3021
E-mail: rkravitz@rcn.com