STEWA publication of Audubon InternationalARDSHIP Volume 3, Issue 4 • July/August 2000 news Stepping Toward Sustainability Creating Solutions Cateechee Golf Course, s we step into the 21st Century, the opportunity and inspiration to Hartwell, Georgia move forward in a more sustainable way is upon us. How can we incor- Overwhelmed by increasing community A porate new technologies that generate less pollution and build healthier growth in Hartwell, Georgia, and its demand human communities? How can we better balance the needs of people, wildlife, on existing wastewater treatment facilities, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, the and the ecosystems upon which we depend? city of Hartwell, and local businessman J. Lee Several members of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program have already Barton teamed up to solve the problem cre- taken up the challenge of answering the new century’s pressing questions.What atively. With the help of the Audubon Signature follows are snapshots of how they are contributing to a more sustainable future. Program, the partners built an environmentally- friendly golf course adjacent to the water treat- Living Machines in- ment plant that now uses the plant’s effluent corporate an attractive water for irrigation. ecologically-engineered Opened late in 1997, Cateechee Golf Course design to accelerate the uses more than 1 million gallons of treated waste- processes nature uses to water per day. The high volume of water used purify water. Housed on the property requires the course to carefully in a large greenhouse, monitor water quality, routinely communicate the Living Machine is with the treatment plant, and be ever alert to comprised of eight proper maintenance of the drainage system. huge filtration tanks With the course in operation, the water treat- through which waste- ment facility has been able to abandon its practice water from the entire of discharging effluent water into a local stream. Conserve School, WI campus will be cycled. As an added benefit, the golf course preserves Conserve School’s Living Machine will be housed in a large greenhouse. Bacteria, plants, Bacteria, plants, and much of the land’s natural features and includes and animals in huge filtration tanks will digest and naturally filter campus wastewater. animals in these tanks wildflower and tall grass areas that provide will digest and naturally additional wildlife habitat. To learn more about Choosing Viable filter the wastewater. The resulting effluent Cateechee Golf Course or the Audubon Signature will be 25 to 30 times cleaner than that pro- Program, contact Nancy Richardson, Signature Alternatives duced by a septic system and will be used to Program Director, at 270-869-9419. Conserve School, irrigate the campus landscape. Students will be (continued on page 2) Land O’Lakes, Wisconsin involved in Living Machine operations When the Conserve School, an Audubon and will use it for Signature Program member, opens its doors in research experiments. 2002, many aspects of campus life won’t resemble Living Machines are Sense of Place that of a typical high school (see , successfully in use at a page 3). With an emphasis on environmental diversity of sites world- stewardship and sustainability, the school will wide, including indus- be employing the latest technologies and prac- tries, schools, nature tices from its classrooms to its restrooms. Yes, centers, and highway restrooms. In addition to standard low-flush rest areas. To find out toilets and water saving devices, the school is more about Living constructing a biological treatment system known Machines®, visit as a Living Machine® for its wastewater. The http://www.livingma- Cateechee Golf Course, GA Living Machine is an effective and economical chines.com. By using treated wastewater for irrigation, Cateechee Golf Course is helping the system that can be used to treat high-strength community of Hartwell mitigate increasing demands on its wastewater treatment industrial wastewater and sewage. facility and eliminate stream discharges of effluent water. Audubon International Stepping Toward Sustainability (continued from page 1) By developing innovative technologies and manufacturing recycled products, Griffin Indus- Vision Making Recycling tries closes the loop on recycling, while cutting pollution, and promoting a more sustainable Choosing Our Future Possible future. To find out more about Griffin Indus- ake a look around your neighborhood. Griffin Industries, tries or Nature Safe natural & organic fertilizers, Have more cars, strip malls, or poorly Cold Spring, Kentucky contact Rick Geise, Director of Marketing, at Tplanned developments replaced agri- 606-572-2558. cultural land and open space in your com- Did you ever wonder where your recyclables munity? Do you and others in your town use go after they leave your doorstep or your town’s resources such as water, energy, agricultural Measuring lands, or forests, in a way that ensures their recycling center? Did you ever wonder where continued health and viability for generations to the products you use each day—from soap to Sustainable come? Is commercial, industrial, and residential plastic bags to paper towels—come from? ACSP growth carefully planned and integrated to pre- Business member, Griffin Industries, headquar- Business Practices serve the best environmental and community tered in Cold Spring, Kentucky, is a company Trucost, New Zealand assets of your region? These are all questions that stands at the forefront of both making Just what is the environmental impact over the of sustainability, and we believe that we must recycling happen and bringing a variety of next 10,000 years of disposing of your old toothbrush ask and honestly answer them to begin moving usable products to market. toward a more sustainable future. in a landfill compared to having it incinerated? Sustainability means that human beings While such a question may seem absurd, it should use the earth’s natural resources and points to the very relevant issue of how the manu- manage their daily lives in a manner that will improve the quality of their lives and the facture, use, and disposal of the myriad products environment, while not adversely impacting we use may adversely impact the planet. the quality of other people’s lives—both To date, a variety of methods have been those living as well as those yet to be born. invented to measure environmental impact, yet Sustainability means that we must purchase because of the complexity of the problem, the products, use products, build buildings, and process is notoriously difficult. As consumers, manage land in ways that will not adversely we have little, if any, knowledge of whether the impact the functioning of earth’s ecosystems, which are necessary to sustain all life. companies who make what we buy implement environmentally-sustainable practices, and little Sustainability does not mean “anti-growth.” Griffin Industries, KY Hence, smart growth initiatives beginning to take ability to make informed decisions about those Griffin Industries has made environmental steward- yet center stage across the country are essentially ship a company policy. products… . Just such a rating system is now about forging partnerships among government, in the works. business and industry, and environmental, Trucost In the United States, 95–100% of animal Called , the tool can give an environ- agricultural, and community groups to create mental sustainability rating for any company a future that we choose rather than one that materials and bakery byproducts are continually we get by default. What results may be some recycled into high quality products by companies in any industry in any country. Developed in of the most exciting and hopeful work we’ve like Griffin Industries. But Griffin has gone one New Zealand, Trucost ever known to build stronger, healthier com- step further by making environmental steward- has a patent on the munities for everyone. ship a company policy and developing environ- process and is presently On a more personal level, sustainability is gearing up to offer it to a method of thinking and making decisions. mentally-friendly products. For instance, animal wastes are turned into organic fertilizers and companies in the Unit- For instance, if you do not know where the ed States and Europe. water you drink and the food you eat comes soil conditioners sold under Griffin’s Nature from, maybe you need to find out. What is Safe label. In addition, animal fat in refined The aim of the Trucost the impact of the car you drive or the chem- forms is a major raw material used in hundreds of rating is to evaluate the icals you use? If you find that there could be commercial products and applications, includ- environmental sustain- adverse consequences to the environment as ing all rubber production, plastics, paints and ability of companies a result of your present actions, maybe you and give consumers a ought to change them. These are not big steps, varnishes, cleaners, polishes, soaps, water repel- lents, and cosmetics. choice between different products based on but they are significant first steps toward a more this criterion, just as they currently choose on sustainable future. Griffin Industries is also taking a leading Put simply, sustainability is a journey, not a role in using technology patented in Europe to price. Audubon International has been a key destination. The actions we take now on a produce an alternative fuel known as biodiesel. player in an international review team helping personal and community basis will make a Derived from a wide range of vegetable oils to develop the Trucost Index. The final rating lasting difference for people and the envi- and feedstocks, biodiesel substantially reduces tool will be comprehensive and practical, yet ronment long into the future. To toxic emissions. Griffin supplies biodiesel to the cost effective for companies to implement. find out more, visit the Trucost website at: motor fuel industry, regulated motor vehicle www.trucost.net fleets, and other diesel fuel markets.