NCED Going Green

The National Center for Employee Development, NCED, promotes a culture of conservation with plant-friendly business choices. NCED has identified low-cost/no-cost ways to reduce energy use, lower vehicle petroleum fuel use, improve water efficiency, reduce the purchase of supplies, and achieve zero waste.

We have removed the incandescent lighting and installed fluorescent light bulbs inside and around all of our buildings. Fluorescent bulbs use significantly less energy and last longer than conventional bulbs. This simple turn of a bulb increased energy efficiency and reduced consumable purchases.

At the NCED Housing Facility we have installed a new energy management system, with thermostats that keep rooms at a set temperature when unoccupied and are remotely adjusted when guests check in. We kept the comfort and added energy efficiency.

We've installed Ozone machines in our main laundry to eliminate the use of hot water in washing the hotel linens, saving electricity, natural gas, and water.

NCED has also lowered our petroleum fuel use by adopting electric golf carts and bicycles to patrol the grounds at NCED. Exchanging petroleum power for electric and pedal power cut fuel cost by almost 60 percent. This eco-friendly choice also decreases the amount of harmful emissions released into the air. For extended transportation needs, we’ve taken our shuttle service green with the recent purchase of three natural gas vehicles.

We have tapped into new technologies to save money and improve water usage. On-demand hot water heaters now supply hot water to the over 200,000 square foot Main Learning Center. This low cost/high return project has proven very successful here at NCED. The new models are less expensive to replace, and save NCED $1.31 an hour in operating costs. We also installed aerators on all of the restroom faucets to reduce the amount of water needed to wash hands. Less water use means more water efficiency.

We are active in all forms of recycling. We implemented paper recycling in 2009, and last year alone, prevented more than 12 tons of paper from being sent to local landfills. We continue to expand our means of recycling and reusing.

On a yearly basis we recycle:  

More than 3 tons of plastic, aluminum, and glass, at least 23 tons of cardboard, and approximately 13 tons of large metals.

NCED Can Help You Go Green, Too.

NCED has received many local, state and industry awards for its green initiatives. We’re proud of this recognition, but we’re not resting on our laurels. We continue to explore new ways to be a greener business. And we want to help you develop your own sustainability goals.

Going green is good for the planet. But, green solutions aren’t just about the environment; they also save money and generate revenue. NCED got its award-winning green status by applying the processes found in our Green Team Workshop. You, too, have the opportunity to learn these conservation techniques.

The NCED Green Team Workshop teaches you how to reduce waste and improve sustainability performance metrics. It takes you through four steps to becoming more environmentally friendly:

The workshop shows you how to effectively put your heads together to identify potential green projects through brainstorming. A walk-around of your facility can help spark ideas. You’ll learn how to prioritize the projects listed in the brainstorming session according to cost and return. Low cost/high return projects get the highest priority. You’ll get tips on implementing your priority projects and on evaluating the results.

Working together, we can meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future. Let the NCED’s Green Team Workshop help make you leaner, greener and more sustainable.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Gagne at (405)366-4431 or elizabeth.p.gagne@usps.gov