Reston Association’s list of environmental accolades is not short. The association’s management of open space has garnered national awards and international recognition, but some of its employees are taking their commitment to environmental stewardship one step further.
"We get a lot of recognition for what we do outside, but we wanted to encourage that inside of our walls," said Katie Shaw, the Walker Nature Center manager. She and other RA employees started the Green Team, a group promoting green practices among RA employees. "Most people have been really happy that we’re doing this," said Elizabeth Vitale, a human resource specialist at RA.
One of the projects of the Green Team was the creation of a "green" checklist for employee workspace. It lists 10 "simple" things an employee can do at work to help the environment. Along with different recycling methods, the list suggests employees use a mug instead of disposable cups and wash and reuse utensils at work. Also, turning off the computer at night or setting it to sleep mode during the day can help the environment.
"We didn’t want there to be barriers" to people following guidelines, which is why the list was kept to simple tasks, said Shaw. "You could start this today," she said. Vitale said the Green Team is also constantly researching new techniques to keep up with the emerging trends in environmental friendly practices.
"What we can do is changing all the time," said Shaw. "If you were green 10 years ago and haven’t been doing research since then, you’re no longer green."
The RA administration has been supportive of the Green Team initiatives, said Vitale. For example, the association has adopted Printing and Writing Paper Procurement Guidelines suggested by the Green Team and RA’s Environmental Advisory Committee. Shaw and Vitale added that the Green Team focuses on rewarding green practices, rather than punishing employees that may not oblige by them. "We are not the green police," said Shaw.

BRINGING TOGETHER those who promote green practices at work and those who make a living from it, Reston Environmental Action (REACT) sponsored the Green Workplace Fair on Thursday afternoon, June 26, at Reston Community Center at Lake Anne. "I hear about businesses wanting to do a lot, but they don’t know where to start," said Mary Brown, REACT’s director. She said the fair was a one-stop shop for businesses and individuals who wanted to learn more about green practices.
One of the companies displaying its services at the fair was Falls Church-based EMO Energy Solutions, LLC. The company performs energy audits for existing buildings and provides counseling for sustainable design for new construction. Eric Oliver, EMO president, said the desire of companies to have green certifications on their new buildings has seen strong growth. "The tenants want to have that image," said Oliver. "Developers are choosing to build green," he said. "If your building is not green you will have a hard time finding tenants."
Greg Krantz, director of client services at Ashburn-based CGE Solutions, said the business of home energy auditing is also on the rise. "It’s growing like crazy," said Krantz. He said the phone at the office rings off the hook any time severe weather comes through the area. A cold snowstorm or a summer heat wave produce more business for the company. Energy audits have also become increasingly popular in light of rising energy prices.
Mercedes Alonso, general manager of Green Home Cleaning Services, displayed cleaning products that do not pollute the environment as they contain biodegradable ingredients. "They are very effective," she said of the displayed products. The Arlington-based company has been in business for two-and-a-half years and services all of Northern Virginia. A list of clients has increased for the company in that time. "We are growing," said Alonso. She said the company has been cleaning homes for the most part, but hopes to expand into the commercial buildings also.
Hoping to spread the word on recycling requirements in Fairfax County, Carol Swift of the county’s Solid Waste Management, distributed literature at the fair. The Fairfax County Code related to recycling changed two years ago, requiring non-residential properties to recycle mixed paper and cardboard. "A lot of businesses have not gotten the word yet," said Swift.