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MBI is proud that we now generate more than 100% of
the our electrical usage Solar Panels are only part of our commitment to the environment. MBI strives to be green in other ways as well. - MBI is committed to recycling. We generate approximately 3 times as much recycling as trash by bulk. - We keep our carbon footprint low using web meetings. This allows us to hold high quality meetings on the spur of the moment with no vehicle emissions. - MBI has installed multi-flush water reducing toilets to reduce our water usage. These units use 1.1/1.6 GpF. - MBI makes significant use of light from compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs, which use approximately 75% less power to generate the same amount of light as standard bulbs. - We work to minimize electrical and natural gas by maximizing environmental control. This effort involves screening and open air ventilation in the summer to minimize air conditioning usage and solar maximization and variable thermostats to reduce our heating costs. MBI has added the following "Green Tips" that you might find helpful in your own home or in your office. Most of these are free or low cost ideas for reducing energy use or increasing recycling and living easier on the environment. You don't have to do all or even any of them, but there's a good chance you'll find something that will appeal to you! Climate control: Remove window screens to maximize the amount of natural heating you get from sunlight. Clean, clear windows will maximize the amount of heat energy that gets into your building or home. Close shades at night to help reduce temperature loss through the windows. Internally ventilate clothes dryers. Hardware and building supply stores such as Home Depot, Ace Hardware, and Lowe's sell internal dryer ventilation kits. During the summer months, reverse the above! Make sure that windows are shaded during the day, especially on the side of the home or building with the highest exposure. If you have horizontal blinds, turn the blinds so the edge or the blind facing outside is slanted down the ground. This will maximize solar blocking. Install screens in windows. If it is safe to do so, open windows at night. Electrical Use Use Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs as much as possible. These can be very affordable in multi-packs and save you up to 75% on your lighting. These are particularly effective in areas where the lights are generally left on for extended periods of time. Turn off electronics and electricity when not in use. You've certainly heard "turn of the lights" before, make sure this goes for everything else as well. Unplug charging cords when not in use and/or plug electronics into power strips and turn the power strips off. Even when not charging and not "on" many items continue to draw power. Put computers in "sleep mode" when stepping away for as little as 10 minutes and turn off for longer absences. An additional home green tip: line drying or hang drying clothing in the summer can be fast, effective and affordable on a sunny day. Water If soaking items, stack like items with water between them. For example, if soaking bowls, put the first bowl in the sink with a small amount of water, stack the second on top and again add a small amount of water, an so on. If rinsing items, put all items into the sink before rinsing allowing water from the item you are rinsing to simultaneously rinse the dishes still in the sink. Pour rinse water from on cup to another before placing items in dishwasher. Keep a watering can near your shower. Catch the water typically wasted as you wait for the hot water in the bucket and use that to water plants. Recycling Recycle as much as you possibly can and make it easy for everyone to recycle! Keep recycling bins or bags accessible in high traffic areas and at desks. Empty these into your larger recycling bins for drop off or collection. Many communities allow you to drop off larger items at collection centers. Attempt to use items that can be cleaned rather than items that will be thrown away (e.g. bring your own coffee mug to work, use regular dinnerware at a party). Durable plastic utensils (forks, spoons, knives, etc.) can often be put through the dishwasher and re-used. Buy and use reusable grocery bags. Keep them in your car so you have them handy. You can even collect your plastic or paper bags and bring them back to the store for re-use. Don't take a bag if you only have one or a small number of items. Reuse items whenever possible. Reuse is often even better than recycling since it uses far fewer resources. Transportation Avoid unnecessary trips. You can use web meeting software (such as the the Live Meeting software MBI offers) to hold effective meetings without physical travel. Combine trips whenever possible. Use your most efficient vehicle to make the trip. Ride a bike or walk for shorter trips. You'll be surprised how many groceries you can get into a properly outfitted bike or even a large backpack. You'll get in shape and save money at the same time. How's that for multi-tasking! Other Solar Ovens: Our president recently built a very simple solar oven using aluminum foil, cardboard and some kitchen items. It can get to about 275 degrees at noon on a hot day and it great for heating up lunch! Commercial Solar Ovens can heat to over 400 degrees and some are large enough to cook a whole meal. There's more to come. Feel free to contact us with additional suggestions or for more information. We can't put everything on this page, but we believe in living green and want to help others do the same!
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