Aztec Recreation Green Love

Green Loves recreation and sustainability accomplishments:

As a result of AS Green Love initiatives, Aztec Recreation has implemented several sustainability practices and energy efficiency processes in our day-to-day operations, including:

The Aquaplex saves one of our most valuable natural resources (water) by replacing the natural grass with synthetic turf; thereby saving money on irrigation and time by eliminating the dangerous and tedious task of mowing and fertilizing the natural grass
Reduced energy costs by re-commissioning the ARC's Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system
Generated electricity by installing 800+ photovoltaic (PV) panels at Aztec Aquaplex
Saved water by installing waterless and low-flow urinals in the ARC men's restroom
Saved water by encouraging all users to take shorter showers and installing low-flow shower heads
Installed cool "white roof" to ARC to decrease air conditioning costs
Improved can and bottle recycling efforts by doubling the blue recycling bins throughout the facilities
Improved air flow and user's comfort level, without increasing air conditioning, by installing two 24-foot fans above exercise rooms in the ARC
Saved natural gas by installing large recirculating water heaters above spectator bleachers in Aztec Aquaplex
Replaced all of the inefficient overhead lighting fixtures inside the ARC with highly efficient lights
Staff also doubled their efforts to actively control energy waste and developed methods to decrease unneeded energy usage inside the ARC by training employees to more actively adjust lights, televisions, video games, computers and other appliances
Circulating fans in all cardio and fitness areas
Replaced inefficient appliance with Energy Star appliances
Installed touchless faucets in all restrooms
Lockers made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled High Density Polythylene (i.e., recycled milk jugs)
Installed additional bicycle and skateboard racks
Battery recycling is now available at ARC Member Services
Use of 100% recycled paper
Eco-friendly air hand dryers at Aquaplex
Solar thermal water heaters
Use of EPA-certified post consumer recycled toilet paper and paper towels
Energy audits have been completed for all facilities
Vending "misers" have been installed on all vending machines

Pending Sustainability ideas:

Install VFD™s on the Aquaplex water pumps
Install high efficient hand dryer(s) in ARC restrooms
Install a new solar water heating system on the roof of the AMC to supply heated water for laundering workout towels

AS Green Projects Article

Aztec Aquaplex's solar-thermal water heating system

Last update: 11/5/09

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