Going Green 2018

BERMUDA’S FIRST GUIDE TO A GREENER LIFESTYLE cc GoingGreen

GoingGreen Priceless

eleventh edition 2018

Ocean Plastics Pollution and what you can do about it

Events go green Our electric car future #trendinggreen Pass me on for a greener Bermuda

GOVE R NM N M E N T O F B E R MU M U DA Ministry ry of Public Works

Make your own compost and have healthier soil.

The EarthMachine helps reduce your impact on the environment and saves you money while providing you with gallons of free compost.

Available exclusively through the Waste Management section of the Ministry of Public Works for $80.

Call 278-0563 or email recycle@gov.bm to purchase one.

We’ve created this list of simple tips that you can action to save energy and money without compromising your comfort or lifestyle. Give them a try and start saving today!

TRIED & TESTED ENERGY SAVING TIPS

ENERGY & COST SAVING

CHECK LIST

COOK SMALL SAVE MORE

DRY MORE SAVE MORE

FILL THE FRIDGE

Use toaster ovens to cook or reheat food. They use up to 50% less energy than large ovens and stoves.

Dry full loads as it costs the same to dry one piece as it does one load. Do loads back to back while the dryer is still hot.

Use less energy in keeping your fridge to temperature by filling it up. Cold food keeps other food cold by helping to insulate other goods and saves you money.

GOING COLD SAVES MORE

SWITCH TO LED BULBS AND SAVE MORE

CHARGE LESS SAVE MORE

Use cold water for laundry to save energy and money.

About 90% of the energy used by washing machines goes to heating the water.

They use 75% less electricity and last up to 10-20x longer than incandescent bulbs.

Unplug devices such as electronics once fully charged. Chargers continue to use energy even when they aren’t in use.

USE CEILING FANS

SWITCH OFF SAVE MORE

LOOK FOR THE ENERGY STAR

Use ceiling fans to cool off for less. Run blades counter-clockwise in the summer to push cool air down and clockwise in the winter to pull cool air up.

Lighting accounts for about 15% of a home’s electricity usage. Turning off lights that aren’t in use is a simple and effective way to save energy and money.

Buy ENERGY STAR® certified products whenever possible.

ENERGY STAR® products use less energy, save money and help protect the environment.

HEAT LESS SAVE MORE

SET YOUR TEMPS RIGHT

LINE DRY SAVE MORE

Save an additional 5%-12% of energy by installing a water heater timer. Installing a timer will reduce the period of time your heater is on each day.

Set your fridge to 40° F and your freezer to 0° F to save money. Settings too cold can use up to 25% more energy.

Using the clothesline will save an average of 3.3 kilowatts per hour of regular dryer energy.

27 Serpentine Road Pembroke HM07 Tel: 295 5111 WWW.BELCO.BM

GoingGreen contents

Contents Page 3

Page 10

#trendinggreen

Are solar panels worth it?

Latest tips and ideas to help you go green

Why residential batteries are so important

Page 4

Page 11

Energy usage Using all the energy you need, without waste Page 5

Reducing environmental footprint Why Chubb is a corporate environmental leader

Deodorant that works naturally A personal problem turns into a growing business Page 12

Going green at the top TOPS Ltd incorporates green in it daily operations Page 32 Page 13

A sense of place

Cleaner air AIRCARE explains how to get healthy indoor air

Page 34

Page 14

Events go green How the America’s Cup showed the way

Bermuda’s electric car future

Celebrating green style Hiscox thinks green for its celebratory events

:ųååĹƉŸŅĬƚƋĜŅĹƉüŅųƉųƚĹŅý The environmental benefits of a new porous paving Page 35

Page 18

Page 6

How landscaping creates comfort and familiarity

The island is driving towards an EV revolution

)ĹåųčƼƉåþÎĜåĹƋƉƵĜĹÚŅƵŸ How window film reduces cooling costs Page 36

Minimise your waste

Page 24 A family’s little farm in Paget

What we all can do to reduce waste

Page 9

Page 26

Page 37

Solar Energy

Ocean plastics pollution

Better bottled water

Single-use and other plastics are choking our oceans

Why bottled water is a good environmental choice

The improving technology of solar panels

Lemon Moor

Going Green 11th edition 2018 Publisher: Ian Coles Director of Marketing: Lissa Fisher Art Director: Tim Parker Writers: Jeremy Deacon, Peter Backeberg, Don Burgess Cover photo by Jessica Riederer Published by Bermuda Media, 58 Par la Ville Road, Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda.

Tel: 441-292-7279. Email: hello@bm.bm www.bermudamedia.bm.

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Printed in the US on paper approved by the Forest Stewardship Council with mixed content Views expressed within are those of the respective contributors and not necessarily shared by the magazine or WXEǺ Associated Media: Bermuda Business Visitor, New Resident Guide, Your Future, Bermuda Real Estate Handbook, Building 'IVQYHE -SYWI ,EVHIR 0MXGLIR ERH 'EXL =SYV 4ǽGI MR Bermuda, Health & Beauty, The Bermuda Channel.

Going Green 2018

tips and news GoingGreen

#trendinggreen Fruits and vegetables travel an average of 1,500 miles to reach shipping terminals or airports in the United States and a further 800 miles to Bermuda. Fuel for this movable feast comes at a cost: pollution – especially carbon dioxide, which is responsible for global warming.

Buying fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables not only eliminates this problem, but fresher local produce will not have lost flavour or nutrients as it makes its way to your plate.

Local photographer Jessica Riederer recently published a book showcasing Bermuda’s environment, wildlife and landscapes. “My mission as a photographer and educator is to enhance in children and adults, awe, appreciation, and perhaps even love for our beautiful planet,” says Jessica. www.jriedererphotography.com

There’s an app for that. More and more green apps are appearing for smart phones. Some will not only help you live on the green side but also save you money. Search the app store for what interests you – recycling, making better informed shopping choices, and tracking your carbon footprint are just a few of the many subjects you’ll find.

Did you know that using cold water can save up to 80% of the energy required to wash clothes?

Many idle electronics – TVs, cable boxes, DVD players, computers, phone chargers – use energy even when switched off to keep display clocks lit and remote controls working. Unplug electrical devices when you’re not using them or plug several devices into a power strip that you can switch off with one push.

Going Green 2018

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GoingGreen energy

Take control of your BELCO FMPP [MXLSYX XLI WEGVMǻGIW A sponsored message from BELCO about using the energy you want without using the energy you don’t need.

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t BELCO, we think it’s time to feel good about energy. It powers our lives, our homes, and our families. We should all be able to use and enjoy it the way we want.

But when we think about “energy efficiency,” it’s hard to feel good. All too often, the idea of being “energy efficient” is associated with making sacrifices and enjoying energy less.

We want to change that. We want to make energy efficiency effortless, easy, and rewarding for everyone. We want you to make the decisions on how you use energy and take control of your own bill.

To do that, we need to reinvent what “energy efficiency” means. We need to banish thoughts of suffering through a hot house without airconditioning in summer or living with the lights off as ways to save.

It’s simple: energy efficiency is using energy in the least wasteful way possible. It’s using all the energy we need and want…and not using the energy we don’t.

This starts with our daily routine and habits. With our easy and effortless energy efficiency tips, it needn’t be the hard work it sounds.

Think about the ways you use energy in and around your home every day – from boiling the water for that first cup of coffee in the morning to turning off the light at night. At every

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moment, energy is powering your day. But are there any ways you’re using energy without enjoying it?

From turning off the lights as you leave a room to unplugging a charger that’s not being used, you can make a difference to your bill without changing your routine or sacrificing

a single home comfort.

Finally, think about the oneoff changes you could make that, once done, cost no time and help you to save big. Are you paying to heat water that you’re not using overnight? Are your light bulbs using up to 75% more energy than an LED alternative? These simple changes to the way your home is set up take a little effort and investment at the outset, but once done will literally help you save while you sleep.

We can all take more control of our energy bills without enjoying energy any less. Feel good about energy efficiency by trying some of our tips to save without the sacrifices.

Visit www.belco.bm for our full list of energy efficiency tips.

Going Green 2018

environmental design GoingGreen

Keino Williams, assistant building manager, next to the dynamic plaque.

Chubb continues to reduce its environmental footprint A dynamic plaque on display in Chubb’s lobby displays real-time energy, water, waste, transportation, and human-experience environmental performance

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he Chubb Building on Woodbourne Avenue has been recertified LEED® Gold with a score of 74, using the LEED Dynamic Plaque™ to manage its building performance.

LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) is a green building certification programme that recognises best-in-class building strategies and practices.

The LEED Dynamic Plaque is on permanent display in Chubb’s main lobby. It measures and displays the current building performance data across five categories: energy, water, waste, transportation, and human experience. Scores are graded: 19-49 points = Certified, 50-59 points = Silver, 60-79 points = Gold and 80+ = Platinum.

The plaque enables Chubb’s facility managers to view trends in order to make informed improvements to building operations that can

Going Green 2018

save money and resources as well as make building occupants more comfortable. A smartphone app is also available for employees and others interested in the current status of the building. Anyone with an Apple or Android mobile can access the scores displayed on the plaque by downloading the ARC app. Simply download the app from either the app store and enter Chubb’s project ID number 1000004951.

“The plaque allows us to keep employees and visitors engaged in our mission to reduce the environmental footprint of our facility. Chubb takes pride in being a corporate leader with its environmental programmes, and, without a collective effort, this undertaking would not be possible,” says Colin Brown, VP administration and facilities.

Energy reduction has been one of the priorities under LEED. With

careful management of the building’s control systems, adjustment of airconditioning, and installation of LED and motion sensor lighting, Chubb has achieved a 30% reduction (or 1 million kilowatt hours) in annual consumption compared with 2011, when the building was first awarded LEED Gold. Further energy savings are expected, as more energyefficient equipment replaces aging equipment and lighting.

Chubb’s facilities team also conducts an annual online survey to capture feedback on employee transportation habits and building environment satisfaction, covering the transportation and human experience score.

Chubb recognises the responsibility to provide solutions that help clients manage environmental risks, to reduce its environmental impact, and to make meaningful contributions to environmental causes.

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GoingGreen corporate responsibility

Celebrating Green Style Alaina Cubbon and Jessie Murdoch of the Hiscox Green Team explain how the company “thinks green” for its celebratory events

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ermudians have much to celebrate throughout the year. From Christmas to Cupmatch, weddings to birthdays, and everything in between, who doesn’t love a good celebration?

Unfortunately, the consumption and waste associated with these occasions can have a negative impact on our environment. One UK study estimated that the average person produces 5.5% of his or her annual carbon footprint over the threeday Christmas period. The study also found that this waste could be reduced by more than 60% if the celebrants spared some thought for the planet.

Here are some useful tips to make the most of your celebrations while minimising the negative effects on our island environment.

Decorations

Food Buy local – It is amazing the distances that some of our food travels, requiring lots of fuel just to get here. Support local farmers wherever possible. Better yet, grow your own.

Green bonus: Local produce tends to be fresher and stay fresh longer than imported produce.

Reduce meat consumption – Meat has a significantly larger carbon footprint when compared with other foods. Wherever possible, reduce serving sizes (or even better, go vegetarian). One handy tip is to bulk out homemade hamburger patties with mushrooms for less meat and extra yum.

Green bonus: Consumption of red meat has been linked to higher levels 6

the several Greenrock Hydration Stations around Hamilton. A recent study found that 93% of bottled water showed signs of microplastic contamination, and, while the health effects of ingesting this are as yet unknown, it is probably best avoided. Similarly, use reusable cups, plates, and utensils wherever possible.

Green bonus: Cost savings will leave more to spend on loved ones – or on Crown and Anchor at Cup Match.

Recycle your empties – Keep a blue bag handy to recycle tin, aluminum, and glass. Composting wherever possible is also a great way to reduce food waste.

Use only paper confetti.

Photo:Becky Spencer

of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, so cutting back is ideal for both the planet and our health.

Waste not, want not – Plan your meals carefully to reduce the amount of uneaten food thrown away.

When there are leftovers, refrigerate for later or incorporate them into delicious post-holiday soups and stews.

Green bonus: This also comes with cost savings.

Avoid single-use items – Don’t stock up on bottled water. Instead, treat yourself to a reusable bottle and fill up at home or at one of

Avoid helium balloons for outdoor events – It is so easy for these to escape, particularly on a breezy day. They will inevitably end up in the ocean where they may easily be mistaken for a tasty jellyfish by an unsuspecting turtle, which could end in tragedy.

Choose biodegradable confetti – Most confetti is plastic and does not biodegrade. Only biodegradable confetti, such as paper, should be used for outdoor events.

Avoid tinsel and glitter – While pretty, these are plastic and best avoided.

Say no to sky lanterns – Fleeting beauty followed by years of endangerment to wildlife. Even sky lanterns advertised as eco-friendly will take time to degrade. Similarly, try not to let those beautiful kites get away from you on Good Friday. All of Bermuda is essentially a marine environment, and our celebrations should not put marine life at risk.

Gifting Let others know if you are happy to receive secondhand gifts or forego gifts altogether. Specifying a local environmental charity of choice instead of giving presents is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint.

Green bonus: A serious feel-good factor for helping to preserve the environment for future generations Going Green 2018

corporate responsibility GoingGreen Re-use paper bags for gift wrap

as well as time saved on your next spring clean.

Opt for experiences and edible goodies rather than trinkets.

Consider an edible gift or an experience like a gift card (think movie, iTunes, spa, and restaurant vouchers) instead of a knick-

knack that requires much fuel to manufacture and get here and may then just sit gathering dust.

Buy secondhand – With so many people coming and going, Bermuda has a pretty amazing secondhand market. From thrift stores like The Barn, Red Cross, Bargain Box, and Second Look to consignment stores like Orange Bay, to Emoo, to Facebook groups such as “Buy It, Sell It, Swap It,” “Bermuda Mom and Pop,” “mom2momMarket,” “Bermy – online garage sale,” and “Baby & Kids Market BDA,” as well as house and car boot sales, you can find some wonderful new and near-new items for a fraction of the price of new items.

Green bonus: Better gifts and/or cost savings, helping someone else with his or her spring clean, and, ultimately, fewer useful items ending up at the incinerator.

Buy local – Local gifts can be extra special, as they are unique and tend to have a lower carbon footprint than imported goods.

Green bonus: This also supports fellow Bermudians and local businesses.

Forego the gift wrap – Re-use paper shopping bags or newspaper and add rustic twine or ribbon to wrap a gift with a vintage twist. Save gift bags and tissue paper for a quick and easy way to gift in the future and, if you do plan to buy wrapping paper, opt for re-used paper or paper from recycled sources. Avoid shiny or sparkly wrap, as it is often plastic, not paper.

Green bonus: Cost savings means more money can be spent on the gift itself – or you could always treat yourself to your favourite beverage after all that wrapping, preferably in a reusable cup.

Donate or sell unwanted items – When all the celebrations are done, donate or sell unwanted presents or toys for someone else to enjoy.

At Hiscox, we always try to think green for our events – from gifts, to caterers, to utensils to packaging.

We hope that you will enjoy greening your events, too.

COMMITTED TO OUR GREEN AGENDA.

Hiscox Ltd, 4th Floor, Wessex House, 45 Reid Street, Hamilton HM 12, Bermuda T +441 278 8300 F +441 278 8301

Going Green 2018

www.hiscoxre.com

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solar energy GoingGreen

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he old adage goes, never judge a book by its cover, and this is also true for solar energy systems. There is more to the technology involved in sourcing energy from the sun than what first meets the eye. Solar panels actually comprise many smaller units, called photovoltaic cells, which convert sunlight into electricity, and it’s these cells that are the heart of the unit.

“When we install a solar energy system, whether residential or commercial, we offer more,” says Tim Madeiros, CEO. “The SunPower panels we use have always held the world record in power and efficiency, and now they’ve broken their own record with the release of a brandnew panel, which is almost 23% efficient. For the homeowner or business, more efficiency translates to more power, more economy, and more durability and reliability.”

Before recommending a system, AES will analyse a typical BELCO bill and then calculate how many panels will be needed to supply that same amount of energy. Because of the power and efficiency of SunPower’s panels, Madeiros says you need less panels and less space, and they are, in the long run, far more economical.”

Going Green 2018

“You could use the analogy of a Mercedes versus Kia,” explains Madeiros. “The Kia may be cheap to buy, but it’s not going to give you the long-term value of a Mercedes.

SunPower systems have the longest warranty. All other solar products provide a 10-year workmanship warranty on the panels. If, after 11 years, a panel falls apart due to corrosion, rust, or a screw that fails, you’re looking at repair or replacement costs. Due to their superior construction, SunPower guarantees its panels for 25 years and saves you money because of the lower ongoing operational and maintenance costs. Photovoltaic cells are prone to micro-cracks during shipping, installation, and other handling. But the photovoltaic cells that SunPower manufactures are incredibly robust. The structural

integrity of SunPower’s cells means its panels are one of, if not the, most reliable on the market. “Because the cells are constructed so well they will deliver maximum power and efficiency for many more years than other, less expensive systems,” claims Madeiros. “So you get the quality, durability, and the service that comes along with it. If you look at the lifetime of a system, a SunPower installation will last so much longer.”

With the strong winds and high rainfall we experience in Bermuda, the installation of solar panels on a roof takes on added importance.

There are two important factors: roof penetration and attaching the mounting system to the roof, and then sealing the roof to eliminate leaks and cracks.

“I warrantee the installation for 10 years,” says Madeiros. “I’ve been in business 10 years, and I’ve never had a leak or a crack in a roof. I know the quality of our work is good for 10 years and more. Everything above the mounting bracket, i.e., the solar panels from SunPower, is warranted for 25 years.”

AES has also recently embarked on an exciting expansion that will enable it to offer total turnkey installation, no matter what size of the project – large-scale commercial or a small residential cottage.

Maderios says this approach keeps costs lower.

“I think it’s also worth mentioning that, for those potential customers that aren’t necessarily looking for the high-end system that SunPower provides, we do offer other options, so I would encourage anyone who is thinking about installing any type of solar energy system to talk to AES.”

This AES installation on Hinson Island generates up to 100kWh’s per day

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GoingGreen solar energy

Are solar panels worth it?

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ecent changes in the purchase price for electricity being produced by residential solar photovoltaic (PV) systems have caused homeowners to rethink whether it’s still financially wise to invest in a PV system for their home or whether the money is better spent elsewhere. In the past, surplus solar energy was purchased from the homeowner by BELCO at its equivalent “sell” rate, under a scheme known as “net metering.”

In addition, a count was kept over the billing period of units exported versus units imported with the bill being based on the overall “net position” at the end of the billing cycle. Thus, if the customer purchased 150 units from BELCO and exported 100 units, the net bill at

the close of the billing cycle would be for 50 units of electricity.

Unfortunately for homeowners, the recently enabled Regulatory Authority (RA) decided to rescind the entire net metering programme and replace it with a feed in tariff (FIT) programme at a greatly diminished rate, with no “netting” over the billing cycle. Under the new FIT programme, surplus solar electricity is exported to BELCO at the time of production for approximately $0.38 on the dollar, only to be repurchased when needed at the full retail rate.

This extremely unattractive export rate is made significantly worse by the fact that a large proportion of homeowners are working families, where both owners are at work during the day when solar is active;

so, with an unoccupied house, the bulk of their solar production is simply exported, and, without netting, the value can never be recouped. It is no surprise that, as a direct result of the Regulatory Authority’s actions, the growth of clean renewable solar energy for homeowners has been severely curtailed, and there has been a huge drop in demand for residential installations.

The solution to the problem is to maximise self-consumption of the solar energy generated by storing it in a residential battery system for consumption at a later time.

Another advantage of installing batteries is to provide backup for essential devices such as the water pump, refrigerator, and phone chargers during power outages.

Bermuda Alternate Energy (BAE) offers customised solar PV systems with fully integrated lithium ion battery solutions to suit all homeowners. Contact BAE via tel: 297 3639 or email nduffy@bac.bm.

A member of the BAC Group of Companies

Bermuda Alternate Energy Limited

Don’t sell your power short. Store it instead!

Become energy independent – generate your own energy while you’re at work and store it to use when you need it with a customised PV System with fully integrated Lithium Ion battery storage.

Solar storage solutions from BAC’s Team Solar. Life is good with back-up.

Airkool House, 9 Mill Creek Road, Pembroke HM 05 Tel: 297 3639 Email: info@bae.bm Monday-Friday: 8am – 5pm Saturday: 8am – 12pm

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www.bae.bm

Going Green 2018

small business GoingGreen

A deodorant that works naturally

Mrs. Surlena Smith presents at BEDC’s Rocket Pitch Competition

A Bermudian’s need to satisfy a personal problem turns into a growing business

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en years ago, Surlena Smith’s health took a turn for the worse.

The then 35-year-old developed a bump on her underarm due to hormones. It wasn’t long before the area became sore and inflamed, and a doctor suggested she have surgery to remove her sweat glands.

Throughout the ordeal, Mrs. Smith had to forgo wearing traditional deodorants and so started looking into natural alternatives.

“At the time, my mother-in-law was using vinegar under her arms, but I didn’t want to smell like vinegar, so I started researching and trying different things,” Mrs. Smith says. It took some trial and error before finding something that worked.”

She eventually settled on a natural underarm formula she created, complete with Bermudainspired scents such as lavender and lemongrass, honeysuckle and loquat.

In 2014, Smith decided to turn her natural deodorant discovery into a business, and Ponda Pits was launched.

The business grew gradually at first, and now, thanks to recent support from the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation (BEDC), she has seen a dramatic increase in interest for her products.

The budding entrepreneur won the BEDC’s Rocket Pitch Competition last November, taking home the top prize in the PitchGREEN category. This February, she was selected to participate in the Enterprise Bermuda Incubator Programme, which will provide her with access to BEDC’s educational programmes, mentoring, low-cost office space, and other subsidised services. In Going Green 2018

April, she travelled with the BEDC to Istanbul, Turkey, where she represented Bermuda in the Future Agro Challenge (FAC), a competition for innovative and fundable food, agtech, and agriculture inventions from around the globe. Mrs. Smith says “I would encourage anyone with a green business idea to enter this competition. It is an awesome opportunity to get your idea off the ground.” The FAC competition will be held again in November 2018.

“The BEDC’s support has come at

the most ideal time because, at the start of this year, I really had a piercing in my soul to put all my attention and energy into Ponda Pits,” Mrs. Smith explains. “I still had a full-time job, but with BEDC’s help I was able to transition from my job to do this full time, so the stars were aligned.”

Mrs. Smith’s products are available through email: pondapits@gmail.com or by calling 732-8245. Visit www.pondapits.com.

For more information about the FAC and BEDC, contact info@bedc.bm

Pitch Green and enter the Future Agro Challenge A global competion that discovers innovative fundable food and agribusiness startups from various corners of the globe.

Pitch your solution for a healthier tomorrow and win a chance to pitch your idea in the international competition.

Submit your idea now to enter the competition!

MAIN CATEGORIES )RRGWHFK $JWHFK 1XWULWLRQ +HDOWK $JULFXOWXUH 3URGXFWLRQ 3URFHVVLQJ )DUPHUV ,QFRPH )RRG :DVWH (GXFDWLRQ $JUR 7RXULVP 6DIHW\ +HDOWK )RRG %HYHUDJH 3URGXFW RU 5HWDLO 3DFNDJLQJ /RJLVWLFV For more information log on to www.bedc.bm call 292-5570 or email info@bedc.bm

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GoingGreen corporate responsibility

Going green at the TOP(s) 845 1XH XLI SǽGI WYTTP] GSQTER] GSRXMRYIW XS incorporate many green initiatives in its daily operations

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OPS encourages and educates its employees on good recycling practices Several examples include: • All disposable, single-use kitchen and tableware has been removed and replaced with glasses, cups, plates, and cutlery.

• Tin, aluminum, and glass (TAG) recycle bin and regular wastebasket and battery-recycle bins are properly marked in all areas.

• A reverse-osmosis water treatment unit has been installed to filter tank water for drinking, thus eliminating plastic bottles on the premises.

• All faucets and showers are equipped with instant water heaters.

This means there is no water heater energy waste at any time, including after hours or weekends.

• Employees turn off lights in any

Owners Claude Guay (far right) and Ed Faries (second from right) with WXEǺ WLS[MRK XLI O; )( WSPEV photovoltaic energy system

vacant room such as the warehouse floors, washrooms, demo room, meeting room, and kitchen.

• Air-conditioning units are kept between 74 and 76 degrees depending on the seasons, as opposed to 72 or even lower in some other office buildings. AC units in unoccupied

FEEL THINK SEE BUY LOOK GO BE WORK

GREEN Tops Ltd is demonstrating a strong commitment to adopting a greener workplace and we encourage other companies to do the same for our environment.

16 Mill Creek Road, Pembroke

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T. 292-5500

F. 292-6200

E. info@topsltd.bm

www.tops.bm

rooms are turned off.

• All PCs and other equipment are shut down on Friday nights for the weekend.

Three years ago, TOPS retrofitted its entire building, replacing 500 fluorescent lights with LED lights.

The investment for the new lights was recovered within 15 months in electricity savings.

In June 2017, the company began a “new vehicle” phase of its continuing green initiatives. A service department diesel vehicle was replaced with a hybrid vehicle, producing significant fuel costs savings as well as reducing emissions.

The management was so impressed with the performance of the hybrid vehicle, it decided to buy an electric vehicle, thus replacing another diesel van. TOPS estimates it will cost approximately four to five times less to operate the electric vehicle due to fuel savings, when compared with the diesel van. The maintenance cost will also be dramatically reduced on the electric vehicle. In the future, TOPS will be phasing out its fleet of diesel vehicles in favour of electric, although it may have to keep one or two diesel vans for heavier tasks. Plus, TOPS now also has a solar energy system with which to charge the vehicle.

The company recently invested in a 29.12 kW DC solar photovoltaic system, with the installation completed in February 2018. It comprises of 104 duo solar panels (280W each) on the roof of its building at Mill Creek. The company anticipates recovering its investment, through reduced electricity costs, in just over five years, at present commercial electricity rates.

The staff also has access to three company motorcycles for its use to conduct business around the island, rather than using the larger vehicles.

TOPS Ltd is a relatively small company with a limited budget.

However, it feels that the size of a company shouldn’t be a factor in corporate responsibility environmental issues. It hopes that its proactive actions on energy solutions and green initiatives will motivate other companies to do the same.

Going Green 2018

home environment GoingGreen

Care for your family with cleaner air

design, and humidity control.

Simply set your preferred humidity setting, and the Quaternity will do the rest.

AIRCARE is Bermuda’s exclusive supplier of Daikin, a leading global manufacturer and innovator in environmental efficiency. The companies work closely together to get the best from Daikin’s advanced products using AIRCARE’s decades of experience in working for

Bermuda’s homes and businesses.

“At AIRCARE, we care that your air is not just reliably at the right temperature,” says Brendan Stones, AIRCARE’s general manager, “but that your family breathes in the cleanest possible air at the smallest cost to our environment. Our exclusive partnership with Daikin enables us to offer the world’s best air-conditioning units, which deliver just that.”

At AIRCARE, excellence is everyday.

It’s a breeze to get clean, healthy air in your home. Here’s how

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hen the humidity and heat of the summer begin, you will want your air-conditioner to provide a blast of cool, clean air. The air you and your family breathe is so important to your health, and the Quaternity by Daikin, available from AIRCARE, is the perfect solution for your home.

Proven to reduce allergens, bacteria and odours, the Quaternity is a one-unit wonder.

Built with Daikin’s Flash Streamer air-purifying technology, it purifies air up to 1,000 times faster than traditional units. Another bonus — lingering cooking smells, pet odours, viruses, and bacteria are all eased with the Quaternity.

The Quaternity is also known for its quiet operation, space-saving Going Green 2018

CARE FOR YOUR FAMILY WITH CLEANER AIR

AC/HEAT VENTILATION AUTOMATION SYSTEMS

We care that your family breathes in the cleanest possible air on the market. That’s why we offer the Quaternity by Daikin, proven to eliminate allergens, bacteria and odours to create the fresh air your family needs.

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GoingGreen events

Getting sports and events to go green The America’s Cup showed the way for other events in Bermuda to become environmentally aware.

Peter Backeberg reports

H

osting the 35th America’s Cup presented Bermuda with a number of firsts, amongst which was a planning process that pursued sustainability as a measurable outcome, or goal, for the event.

The result was a number of initiatives, educational programmes, and guidelines that continue to have an impact on Bermuda today and that, if continued and built upon, will prove important to the island’s environmental future.

Sustainability is the catch-all concept that considers the economic, social, and environmental impact of any initiative. For the America’s Cup, it was the local body, America’s Cup Bermuda (ACBDA), that assumed this responsibility. Following the United Nations Environment Programme for Sustainable Events, the ACBDA focused on minimising the impact on the environment by reducing consumption; reducing waste; protecting habitats; and creating efficient transportation, services, and policies for visiting yachts and sustainability practices for caterers and vendors.

The America’s Cup Event Authority (ACEA) also created a sustainability charter with similar goals for event organisers, teams, and the event itself.

Anne Hyde, executive director for Keep Bermuda Beautiful (KBB), sat on the ACBDA Sustainability Committee and helped write the guidelines for event vendors. She said a few key aspects of the plan have

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helped create other greener events in Bermuda.

For example, the event guidelines for caterers included no plastic wrap, limited oil, biodegradable cups, bamboo, or compostable cutlery and no single-use condiment packets and waste being separated at source for recycling.

“Getting the requirements written into the contracts was a learning point. As was having a person on the ground at the event ensuring compliance and making adjustments as we went,” she says.

Hydration stations were also critical to the elimination of singleuse plastic bottles. “If we are going to have requirements, we have to be sure that alternatives are available, whether that’s reusable water bottles or biodegradable cups and containers,” she continues.

So, what were the results of the planning and guidelines for the America’s Cup? In 22 days, 20 tonnes of recyclables were collected and separated on site, which represents 40% of the total waste collected during the event. As a reference, Bermuda collects about 63 tonnes of recyclables during a “normal” year. Furthermore, it is estimated that 250,000 plastic bottles were not used at the event.

Ms. Hyde says the America’s Cup set a standard that Bermuda can continue to achieve and that the successful guidelines are being “rolled into” a new set of standards being drafted by the Green Bermuda Cooperative — an organisation

formed to promote collaboration amongst event hosts and participants to offer “greener” events that “leave no trace.”

“We have seen how sustainability can be planned for and implemented throughout any event and that it can run right through the management, contractors, participants, and spectators,” she says. “We had so much positive feedback with people calling it ‘Disney clean.’ It shows we can set the standards high.”

Chris Garland, food and beverage manager for the America’s Cup event, says the focus on reducing waste Going Green 2018

cc GoingGreen

and using green products raised his awareness and that of the food and beverage vendors as well.

“Since the event, we continue to use green products in my restaurants where we can (Flanagan’s, Outback Sports Bar, The Snug, Divots, The Loft), but price is always a concern,” he says. “For it to really take hold, it will probably require policies, incentives, and working with the distributors to keep costs down and make it worthwhile for everyone.”

He says that, since the America’s Cup, his company has continued to educate internally, with staff and Going Green 2018

& NSMRX IǺSVX F] 1ERH 7SZIV '&7 1S[ (EVFSR and Stempel Foundation saw installation of solar panels at the National Museum of Bermuda

15

GoingGreen events customers. For example, his staff will often ask people picking up take-out if they are going home and whether they need the utensils, napkins, and condiments. “We also encourage our regular lunch customers to bring their own containers for taking food back to the office,” says Mr. Garland.

“There’s no doubt it raised awareness and has had an impact. I’d like to see us all do more.”

Organisations involved with the event also looked for ways to reduce their environmental impact. For instance, Oracle Team USA imported BMW i3 electric vehicles for some of its staff and partners, and Groupama Team France brought some of the first Twizy’s — the two-seat electric vehicle — to Bermuda.

Another major initiative that also continues to benefit the environment is a solar energy project. Through a joint effort by Land Rover BAR, Low Carbon (BAR’s renewable energy partner), and the Stempel Foundation, a large solar panel array was installed at the National Museum of Bermuda (NMB). The 3,500 square feet of solar panels generate more than 93,000kWh per year, preventing 43 tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.

NMB Chairman James Hallet says, “The solar panels reduce our electricity bills by 20 percent, allowing the museum to concentrate its efforts on cultural heritage preservation.”

Plus, the America’s Cup Endeavour Program’s West Fort in Dockyard received a 3.6 kW solar installation and battery bank, this time as a donation from AES (Alternative Energy Systems Bermuda Ltd).

In addition to reducing the fort’s electricity bill, the solar panels are a tangible example of sustainability for the young school students who take part in the Endeavour sailing programme.

In fact, environmental awareness and education is a key part of the Endeavour Program’s curriculum, in addition to teaching STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) through the lens of sailing.

“We’ve made a pledge to eliminate 16

'IVQYHE KSX MXW ǻVWX PSSO EX the all electric Twizy, thanks to the America’s Cup

plastic, so we ask our students to bring a plastic-free lunch for their week at Endeavour,” explains Jennifer Pitcher, Community Engagement, Development & Partnerships Manager at Endeavour. “We issue reusable water bottles to all the students and conduct a weekly beach clean-up in the east and west ends of the Island.”

Importantly, Endeavour students are not just cleaning up marine debris, they are also learning about its origins and understanding its

impact as part of the Sea Bin project.

Sponsored by Butterfield Bank, the Sea Bin project collects debris in two locations in Bermuda and then analyses and compares the trash collected in other Sea Bins around the world.

“Our students continue to visit the Sea Bins, see what’s collected, where it came from, and help collect the data,” says Ms. Pitcher.

Students also have the opportunity for educational exchange with other students in other areas where Sea Going Green 2018

events GoingGreen All food was served in biodegradable containers. No plastics were allowed

Bins are located, including Halifax and the Cayman Islands.

All Endeavour team members have received training from environmental organisations, including KBB, Greenock, and the Bermuda Turtle Project, and in February 2017 received the KBB’s President Award for “outstanding commitment to environmental education and marine conservation.”

All Endeavour boats are cleaned with environmentally friendly products that are certified nonpolluting, including nonphosphate and biodegradable soap. Team members are conscious not to apply any detergents to visible oil slicks or sheens. Endeavour boats are not treated with anti-fouling paint.

“We are an eco-minded team,” Ms Pitcher continues. “We try to be role models for the students and do things like car pool or cycle to work. We even have special ‘litter tongs,’ given to us by KBB after the America’s Cup, in our boats so we can pick up trash whenever we are out on the water.”

Going Green 2018

All waste was separated at source for recyling

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GoingGreen electric vehicles The Twizy is the most recognisable electric vehicle on Bermuda’s roads

Bermuda drives toward an electric car future Island on the precipice of an electric vehicle revolution as more and more drivers embrace EVs

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a recent panel discussion hosted dvances in plug-in electric by the Bermuda Association of vehicles (EVs) and hybrid Professional Engineers (BAPE). “Over cars, coupled with a growing time, it is going to pay off.” awareness of the detrimental In addition to cost savings, environmental impact of gaspanelists discussed health benefits, powered vehicles, means that the mass-scale adoption is a not a matter given the known pollution spikes on Bermuda’s roads, and the relatively of if – but when. short commutes that reduce the According to industry insiders, “range anxiety” some people have Bermuda is an ideal location for about making the switch to electric. driving EVs, and they could also By all accounts, modern EVs, and create new opportunities if the Island obviously hybrids, have were to take a leading more than sufficient role in their power capacity adoption. for Bermuda’s “Gas is very commutes, expensive in with most Bermuda, local EV so the cost drivers savings are reporting huge,” said charging Stephen their car no Davidge of The Renault ZOE was Europe’s #1 selling more than once per Eurocar, at EV in 2017 and is available from Eurocar

18

week and sometimes less than that.

“In Bermuda, people with hybrids are basically operating them like an EV because of improved technology,” explained Mr. Davidge.

And the benefits do not just extend to residential owners, they can also create cost savings for businesses and new commercial opportunities as well.

Joshua Simons, the manager of facilities and security for BELCO, and also a panelist at the BAPE event, explained how the power utility has been driving, and testing, a fleet of electric vans and cars, as they anticipate their role in the coming “electrification” on our roads.

For BELCO, this means looking at the charging infrastructure on the island. For instance, whether private or public, charging stations that are 220 volts are significantly faster than 110-volt versions. There are also Going Green 2018

electric vehicles GoingGreen

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technological advances in the area of charging, with Mr. Simons describing a 900-volt charger with super-cooled cables that is “rivalling the speed of fuel pumps.�

Another consideration is energyconsumption peaks on the power grid if everyone is charging at the same time and being able

to anticipate and manage those effectively.

Looking even farther ahead, the panel mentioned “intelligent charging� solutions, solar-powered chargers, and “bi-directional� power in which the EV battery could power a home in the case of a power outage.

Also, there is the possibility of

auto dealers, themselves, installing charging stations for their clients, with Auto Solutions recently announcing a partnership with BE Solar to do just that.

In the meantime, Mr. Simons says he has seen savings of 70% in fuel-consumption costs and 80% in maintenance costs with the EVs at BELCO. “We operate a eet of 12 vans, and in one year we’ve had no breakdowns,â€? Mr. Simons explains.

One of the reasons for lower maintenance costs for an EV is that it has few fewer “moving parts� than a gas vehicle. As an example, an EV does not have a transmission.

Local EV dealers also say that EV manufacturers not only provide, but insist on, training a dealer’s technical staff in advance of distributing the cars. One of the main reasons for this is that an EV is a high-voltage machine and safety is paramount. “You can’t just pop the hood and play,� said Mr. Davidge. “You have to know what you are doing.�

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Going Green 2018

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GoingGreen electric vehicles Beyond the battery and the electric motor, an EV is just a car with all the other “regular” components that require service and maintenance, like brakes, lights, bodywork, and electronics.

The opportunity they represent, however, is anything but regular.

Perhaps the most recognisable EV on Bermuda’s roads is Current Vehicles’ Twizy, the “buggy”-styled two-seater that is transporting tourists all over Bermuda.

Piers Carr, CEO of Current Vehicles, said the introduction of the Twizy to Bermuda was not just driven by environmental concerns but also as an enhancement to our tourism product.

“Transportation has been holding us back,” he explained at the BAPE event. “The Twizy shares the characteristics of a bike but has the

Additionally, the panelists felt that there was an opportunity for Bermuda to be a site for research and development of EVs by manufacturers with Mr. Davidge commenting, “If we can get the manufacturers to understand that Bermuda is perfect for driving EVs, we could be that test space for them.”

For that to happen, all local insiders agree that Bermuda must implement policies that encourage adoption of EVs. Presently, EVs enjoy 0% duty, which keeps them price-competitive. Other initiatives discussed include creative financing options, public education to overcome “misinformation and outdated information,” and an improved public and private charging infrastructure.

Bermuda has a history of leveraging its small size and flexible policymaking to innovate and lead in new industries, the electrification &YXS SPYXMSRW MW SǺIVMRK XLI IPIGXVMG 3MWWER 1IEJ .X TVSZMHIW SRI SJ XLI PSRKIWX of the auto industry might just be ranges, and is one of the fastest charging EV’s. primed for “Bermudianisation”. stability of a car.”

He says the Twizy allows tourists to get out and explore the Island with greater independence and safety.

He also explained how the cars are “fun to drive” and that visitors love to talk about them and take and share pictures of themselves in the Twizy.

This is just one example of how early adoption can help Bermuda as a whole.

“It could provide a PR boost to Bermuda as an ecotourism destination with people coming here because we drive electric,” said Mr. Carr.

ROLL WITH US

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Going Green 2018

electric vehicles GoingGreen

Owning an electric vehicle What’s it like to own and drive an electric vehicle? A family share their experience

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here’s a lot of curiosity about electric cars and also some hesitance. They’re new, they’re different, and to own and drive one will require a certain level of change. Some of us are resistant to change, so generally it only happens slowly and often requires a level of experimentation.

In this regard, owners of electric vehicles (EVs) are forerunners, trailblazers even, and their experiences and feedback allow the rest of us to take tentative steps toward acceptance and adoption of this new, and greener, technology.

Mischa Fubler and his wife, Gia Dupree, are two of those forerunners.

In returning to Bermuda, they needed a new car and so purchased a new EV in November 2017.

Going Green spoke to Mr Fubler about what it’s like to own and drive an EV in Bermuda.

Have you been able to track the cost of charging the car?

One of the charging stations I use provides kWh consumption data.

We are usually charging when there’s about 15% – 20% charge remaining in the battery, and the station reports 19 – 22 kWh when the battery is fully topped up. At roughly 40c per kWh, that’s about $8.50 per “tank.”

How often do you charge the car and approximately how far can you drive per charge?

We generally charge once a week.

We don’t travel very far during the week; Gia drives most days and is five minutes from work. We grocery shop and take longer trips on the weekends. I “guesstimate” roughly 100km between charges, as the battery life calculation in the car is fairly accurate, and a full charge claims 185km (without using the heat or heated seats), and we usually charge the vehicle with 50 – 30km remaining.

What adjustments have you had to make driving and owning an EV? Going Green 2018

Mischa Fubler and wife Gia Dupree

The battery death fear is real! We only have a 120v outlet in our rented home that can reach the car. At that voltage, it takes 24 hrs to fill from empty. With a 240v outlet, that time would be reduced to 4–5 hrs.

It does take some additional planning compared with owning a gas car, but it’s worth it for the environmental impact.

What have other people’s reactions been to you owning and driving an electric car?

Most are curious; the most common question being how much it costs to charge.

What are misconceptions people tend to have about EVs? That they’re expensive to charge.

Electricity prices being what they are in Bermuda, it’s still surprisingly inexpensive. The additional purchase price more than pays for itself in a few months thanks to the duty-free

status of electric cars.

Another misconception is that they’re slow. Electric motors have full torque from initial start; they don’t have to rev up like gas cars.

What would surprise people about owning and driving an EV? How quiet they are. I’m routinely annoyed by the sound of pebbles stuck in the tires.

Also, because of their duty-free status, they’re surprisingly close to the cost of their gas counterparts.

What do you think would encourage more people to buy an EV? Making high-speed charging at home easier and a tax incentive for installing a dedicated charging station at your residence.

What is one piece of advice or insight you would give to someone considering buying an EV? Get in before the government starts charging duty on EVs. 21

GoingGreen electric vehicles Peter Backeberg test drives the Twizy

The cute and zippy Bermi 200

The little cars that move Bermuda Small electric vehicles now buzzing around the island are both fanciful and funky

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icro cars make people happy. If your friends see you in one, they will take a picture of you, and complete strangers will stop and ask questions about them. But what are they like to drive? Peter Backeberg, on assignment for Going Green magazine, found out with two of the micro cars you may have seen, and smiled at, on Bermuda’s roads.

Test Drive: Bermi 200 Electric vehicles are stealthy; the only thing I noticed as the Bermi 200 arrived behind me was the crunching of the gravel beneath its tires.

Next it struck me that the Bermi 200 is cute; you can’t help but like it, and while from the exterior it seems impossibly small, once I climbed in, there was more space than I’d imagined.

In fact, you sit quite high up, so 22

it felt more like a (very) small van.

If you’ve ever driven the legendary Suzuki Wagon R, you would know the feeling.

Perhaps because nothing happens when you turn the ignition, except a beep, it initially feels odd stepping on the accelerator, like, “What’s going to happen?” In reality, it just starts moving forward, quietly, like magic.

There’s also a sense of excitement, and everyone says they are fun to drive – and they are. But I don’t know why. It sort of felt like I was in on an inside joke or keeping a secret.

To drive, the car is quite peppy (zippy), it feels light and responsive.

I wouldn’t describe the Bermi as a high-performance ride; it is wide and short, so it leaned a little around corners but still felt stable enough, and, sitting up high, I felt completely in command.

It has a sunroof with a roll-up

screen, so, between that and the big windows (front, back and side), it almost felt like I was sitting outside.

I am not a small person, and, this is after all a micro car, but with the vehicle owner Mike Swan sitting in the passenger seat next to me, I didn’t feel cramped.

One awkward thing is that, because the car is narrow but two seats wide, the brake and accelerator are shifted a little to the left, so they almost sit between your feet. That took a little getting used to, but nothing major.

The Bermi has most of the features you’d expect to find in a car, like a radio, front, and rear cameras, AC, and electric windows.

The back window pops open like a trunk; in the two-seater version, there is enough space for some groceries, your beach stuff, and maybe a small cooler. With the fourGoing Green 2018

electric vehicles GoingGreen

The Bermi 200 has radio, front, and rear cameras, AC, and electric windows

seater version, you can use the back seats for carrying things.

It’s that extra space, and the fact you sit side by side, that gives the Bermi a practical application, as opposed to just being a mode of transport.

My take, in addition to being an option for tourists, is I could see this car being useful for single people, possibly couples, certainly seniors, and anyone who uses the road a lot like couriers and postal workers.

The Bermi is currently only available for sale through Localmotion, although the company is waiting on a permit to rent.

Test Drive: Twizy I had quite a bit of anticipation about getting in one of Current Vehicles’ Twizys. They are one of the most intriguing vehicles to hit Bermuda’s roads in a long time.

They are cute, cool, techy, and yet somehow quaint.

I was also curious what they were like to drive and if they were cramped inside – from the outside everyone looks like a giant in them.

The manufacturer, Renault, has done a good job with the interior design. Very different to the Bermi, the Twizy has a cockpit with a single seat; you sit a little lower and Going Green 2018

centred in the car. It feels sporty, even just climbing into it, as well as when you take off for a drive.

From a handling point of view, it was a quality driving experience, it leans nicely into and around corners, and there is some temptation to press down on the accelerator.

I could immediately see why tourists would enjoy the Twizy, particularly a driver. With the shaped windscreen and big spaces where windows would normally go, it is a “3D” driving experience, like a bike. The suspension was a little rigid, so I felt all of bumps in Bermuda’s roads, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. It did make me wonder if the back seat was bumpy, so I swung by and picked up my wife. I think the back seat gets as many questions as anything with the Twizy. Can you see? Are you squashed? Is it bumpy? The feedback I got was, “Not as much as you would think.”

You can feel the bumps, but it doesn’t make it uncomfortable; you can stretch your legs and see pretty well over the shoulder of the driver and out of the sides. It does, however, get “breezy” in the back, so hairstyles beware. And while I’m sure you get used to it, getting in and out does take a little consideration.

I think the Twizy is far more akin to having a safer, more stable bike than an extra little car. There’s not a lot of storage and no side windows.

But they are fun, and they handle the roads well.

Current Vehicles’ CEO Piers Carr said one of its main goals is to accentuate Bermuda’s tourism product. For this, I would give a big thumbs up.

Twizys are currently only available for rent, with locations at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club and the Fairmont Southampton.

Final Verdict These two quite different vehicles are both, in my opinion, welcome additions to Bermuda roads and our move toward “electrification.”

If (when?) Bermuda were ever to decide that each residence could have a “micro car,” in addition to a larger-sized vehicle, they would both have a space in the local market and could perhaps replace bikes for young people – although cost is a factor.

As someone who loves the convenience of riding a bike, I think if I had either I’d use one all the time instead of my bike – drier, warmer, more comfortable, and easier to carry things.

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GoingGreen sustainable farming

Little farm

in Paget How a family transformed a National Trust property into a farm-to-table haven

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f you live west of the Paget lights, you’ve probably driven by Lemon Moor many times. As you head into Hamilton, it’s the cottage on the left-hand side of the road just past the lights.

Marco and Andreia Borges have been living at the Bermuda National Trust property since June 2015. “We found out this Bermuda National Trust (BNT) property was vacant, so we applied,” says Andreia. “My husband has always loved farming, so to know we live right outside where he farms is perfect.

Plus, it’s close to town, so it’s a great location.”

She says there was a lot to do clean up the grounds when they first moved there.

“The property was in terrible shape.

There was a good bit of trash that was left by the previous tenants. We found lots of bottles and collected four buckets of bottles that we took for recycling.”

The Borges fixed up the overgrown farmland that had not been used in months, and their efforts quickly won over the heart of their landlords.

They received a letter from the BNT encouraging them to keep up the good work and later received a BNT Environment Award for transforming Lemon Moor Farm into a showpiece.

The banana trees were all bunched together, so the Borges’ spread them out along the edges of the property. “It was such a waste of good soil,” Andreia says.

“It was a lot of hard work, but Marco decided to take them out one by one and replant them.” Marco added that it took about 10 weeks to move all the banana trees so the fertile soil could be used for other crops.

None of this bothered Marco, as he is

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used to working with his hands. He is from San Miguel, Azores, and grew up working with his father on the land they farmed as a family.

“I’ve always had this passion,” he says.

“I’ve always loved it, even as a child. It’s relaxing. Plus, who doesn’t love eating something they’ve planted and grown themselves, knowing the food hasn’t had pesticides sprayed on it?”

So what crops are they growing?

“Portuguese love potatoes,” laughs Andreia. “We love taro root, carrots and all vegetables.” They are also growing string beans, onions, garlic, pumpkins, and corn. The property also has orange, guava, apple, loquat, banana, and passion fruit trees. The sunflowers garner lots of favourable attention from passersby.

Andreia says they rotate what is planted based on the season. “We just had tons of lettuce and broccoli, some of which ended up on the tables of grateful family and friends, and some found its way onto the shelves of local grocery stores.”

She says the eventual goal is to have their own vegetable stand where they can sell their farm fresh produce directly to the public.

As Marco’s father taught him the love of working outdoors and growing your own food, he is likewise teaching this to his two young children: Lucas, 8, and Sophia, 4.

Andreia says, “They love coming outside and have their own little farm. They go into the farm area and plant seeds. Right now, they have their own string beans growing and love helping Dad pull up carrots. At school they talk about what they pulled up at the weekend, and other parents and teachers always say, ‘Don’t forget to bring me some.’”

Pulling up carrots is a family activity for the Borge’s

Going Green 2018

sustainable farming GoingGreen

Going Green 2018

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GoingGreen the environment

Ocean Plastic

Pollution Studies show that our oceans are choking with single-use plastic containers like bottles and plastic bags, impacting marine life and the human food chain

W

hen Katerina Smith took over Nonna’s Kitchen, she realised it was an opportunity to make a small contribution to protect the environment.

Committed to introducing environmentally friendly policies, she removed all plastic bags and replaced them with paper bags.

She then decided that charging for the bags that each customer received with their order would draw attention to the waste and make them decide whether they needed a bag at all. Customers who did buy plastic bags helped to raise funds to plant endemic trees on National Trust nature reserves and open spaces.

After that, Katerina decided to remove all plastic utensils and replace them with utensils made with corn starch; plastic containers were removed from the salad bar and replaced with either decomposable containers or biodegradable containers.

Plastic straws were replaced with paper straws, and customers were encouraged to bring their own reusable bags as well as their own reusable containers to collect their food.

“The problem is that going green is expensive, and the suppliers are not ready to invest in bringing more eco-friendly products unless you specially order them,” says Katerina.

“I am a small company, but if the rest of the hospitality business or any other business that uses takeaway products in Bermuda move to that direction, the suppliers will 26

have more green containers and products in stock available all the time, and the price will be probably be cheaper, which would help the vendors and the customers.

“Having my own business gave me the opportunity to make my small contribution to help the environment, and the support from our customers, locals, and tourist has been enormous. People are aware of the damage plastic has done to the environment and specifically to the ocean.

We hear positive comments and congratulations for our initiative.”

She adds, “I believe that if all of us make an extra effort to use less plastic, to reuse the plastic that we have at home instead of dropping it in the trash bin every time, we will leave a better Bermuda and a cleaner ocean for the next generation.

“It is important that we educate kids from a young age that plastic is harmful for the planet. We all need to change our habits and take a second to think that your shopping from the grocery store is full of plastic items. If we reduce the use of plastic containers and bags one person per family every day, we will make a huge difference.”

According to a recently released study (Jambeck 2017), between 1950 (when plastics were first development for commercial use) and 2015, an estimated 8.3 billion metric tonnes of plastic have been produced around the world, most of it in disposable products.

About three-quarters have been thrown away into landfills or escaped into the environment,

according to the report. Nine percent has been recycled and 12 percent has been incinerated. An estimated eight million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean every year – with 80 percent coming from the land and about 12 percent from derelict commercial fishing gear.

According to the BBC, the Foresight Future of the Sea Report for the UK government raised many concerns about the future of the Going Green 2018

Jessica Riedere

the environment GoingGreen

oceans and predicted that plastic litter in the sea will treble between 2015 and 2025.

Bermuda’s geographical location puts it in the trash track of the North Atlantic Gyre, which is the series of currents that create a large trash vortex.

The most well-known of these currents is the Gulf Stream, which brings us our warm water and allows us to be a healthy coral island so Going Green 2018

far north. The floating trash is not a solid mass; it is more like minestrone soup, and the trash can float at varying levels in the water column.

It is not conveniently floating on the surface and therefore cannot be simply scooped up.

Anne Hyde, of Keep Bermuda Beautiful (KBB), who recently attended the 6th International Marine Debris Conference in San Diego, says, “The oceans are too vast,

constantly moving, and the problem of plastic pollution has become too great.

“If we can ‘turn off the tap’ of the plastics that are escaping into the environment and leaking into the oceans, there is hope that nature can recover – that plastics will eventually degrade, although that might take centuries.

“Leading scientists agree that it is difficult to pinpoint exactly how long the various plastics will take to degrade. How can we say that plastic will take 600 years to break down when plastic hasn’t even been around for 100 years yet?

“But all agree that it can be described as a long time, ‘a very long time and an incredibly long long time,’ or that it may take decades for certain items to break down and others will take centuries.

“Every tide delivers plastic to Bermuda’s shoreline. A small portion is from local littering by people using the beaches or from local fishing.

The majority is debris that have travelled hundreds of miles and get washed ashore, particularly during storm surges.

“Many plastics exposed to sunlight and wind and wave action break into smaller pieces – microplastic. We see evidence of bite marks from turtles, birds, and fish mistaking the plastic for food.”

KBB volunteers have been doing beach clean-ups for the past 30 years, and the group has noticed a sharp increase in the amount of plastic that has washed up on our shoreline in the last decade.

“We see an increase in the amount of roadside litter as well. We are fighting against the proliferation of the ‘plastics invasion’ – invading every part of our day as we brush our teeth with plastic, comb our hair with plastic, eat and drink from plastic, drive around in plastic, entertain ourselves with plastic, even dress in plastic,” says Anne.

Every year, KBB volunteers participate in Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup, along with about 100 other countries.

Summary findings show that 743 27

volunteers picked up 58,625 items that weighed a total of 8,775 pounds, along more than 17 miles of coastline in Bermuda during the September 2017 event. The top-five items were microplastic pieces (25,470), cigarette butts (5,791), glass bottles (mainly beer) (4,301), other foam/ plastic packaging (2,763), and plastic bottle caps (2,161).

KBB, along with the Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo, the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, the National Trust, Greenrock, BEST, the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, Government’s Waste Management, Bermuda College and Guardians of the Reef, are all part of the Bermuda Marine Debris Taskforce (BMDT) www. facebook.com/bermudataskforce.

It was formed in 2010 following a visit by the 5 Gyres team, which was leading an expedition in the North Atlantic Ocean to determine if ocean plastic pollution was as prevalent in the North Atlantic as it was in the North Pacific.

From that, several initiatives were started to discover the extent of the plastic problem and to try to reduce the amount of plastics used in Bermuda.

The BMDT initiated a monitoring programme on six study beaches. An awareness campaign was developed to encourage students and citizens to participate in the beach surveys, and a total of 100 surveys were conducted on the six beaches from 2010 to 2015.

A total of 950 participants in five citizen science teams and 77 school and college groups conducted the surveys, which measured the amount of visible plastic debris that washed ashore during the last tide cycle.

The scientific research will be published soon, and the BMDT is drafting a Bermuda Marine Debris Action Plan.

In addition, the Green Bermuda Cooperative formed in 2013 to establish guidelines to “green” public events and provide advice to all hosts of public events, including sporting events, concerts, parades, beach parties, street festivals, so that everyone can be encouraged to 28

Jessica Riedere

GoingGreen the environment

reduce single-use plastics, reduce littering, and reduce the impact on outdoor spaces from an increasing number of events and participants, particular annual events. The final draft of the “Greening Your Event” guide will be released shortly.

Individuals as well as businesses have also responded to the plastics problem – Butterfield Bank joined the Seabin Programme as a Global Pilot partner and installed a Seabin at the marina at Hamilton Princess & Beach Club as well as the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club. Butterfield also introduced education and research programmes aimed at increasing awareness among the youth in Bermuda about the problem of plastics in the ocean.

A Seabin is essentially a floating rubbish bin. Water is syphoned in from the surface and passes through the natural fibre catch bag inside the Seabin; the water is then pumped back into the marina, leaving litter and debris trapped in the catch bag to be disposed of properly.

Ironically maybe, but paper, cardboard, and plastic give the highest caloric burn value to the Tynes Bay Waste-to-Energy Facility,

as it burns Bermuda’s household waste and helps supplement the Island’s energy needs Ann Hyde comments, “In this way, we are re-using or recycling plastic and creating a circular economy for it. Local use with a smaller carbon footprint is a better option than trying to ship plastics by ocean freight to a foreign facility where some of it may be down-cycled into nylon carpet or fleece clothing.

This uses quantities of water and electricity and manpower and would create an unnecessarily large carbon footprint. The top goal, however, is to not use the plastic, particularly the single-use plastics in the first place.”

Kim Smith, executive director at BEST, says the bulk of the problem stemmed from single-use plastics like bags people use to carry their lunch, along with plastic containers, cutlery, cups, straws, bottles, and food packaging. “We have become numb to whether we need it or not,” she says.

“These throw-away items are discarded and make their way into bushes and waterways. The dangers in the waterways to fish is well documented, but what isn’t Going Green 2018

PROTECTING OUR OCEANS TO ENSURE A BETTER FUTURE Butterfield is committed to the preservation and improvement of island and maritime ecosystems. As a financial services company with operations in many island nations, we have a great appreciation for the marine environment and support initiatives that will assist with its protection. That’s why we’re proud to be a Global Pilot Partner of The Seabin Project, supporting the installation of ocean-cleaning technology at marinas and yacht clubs around the world.

Find out more at www.seabinproject.com.

Are you a charity working on improving island environments? Apply for a Butterfield grant today. Visit www.butterfieldgroup.com to learn more.

www.butterfieldgroup.com

THE BAHAMAS | BERMUDA | CAYMAN ISLANDS | GUERNSEY | JERSEY | SINGAPORE | SWITZERLAND | UNITED KINGDOM

The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited is licensed to conduct banking business by the Bermuda Monetary Authority. Address: 65 Front Street, Hamilton HM 12, Bermuda.

GoingGreen the environment

highlighted are new findings that plastics attract toxins in the ocean, so there is a concentration of those toxins to any creature eating the pieces of plastics as they break down. Then there is a bio-accumulation from a smaller to larger food chain, ending with the human being eating the fish.

“There seems to be a general lack of awareness, not even common sense, not to take a plastic bag that simply contains a sandwich that is also wrapped in other materials.”

She believes single-use plastics could be taxed or, better still, banned.

She also wants people to adopt the mantra of refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle. “Stores can stop providing plastic products, too. If plastic bags were no longer available, people would remember to take a reusable bag. If they continue to be provided, it is unlikely that people will remember to take a reusable bag with them.

“I would support a ban on one-use plastics to remind people that they probably have a ton of reusable bags already that can be used instead. It’s simply a matter of remembering to take or have them with you. Everyone needs to play a part. Government would need to put the legislation in place to ban the products, so I suppose that means they have to lead. However, it might be best with a 30

Jessica Riedere

A seabin installation

coordinated effort to design options or solutions once that legislation is passed.”

As well as research by the BMDT, Dr. Robbie Smith, the curator of Bermuda’s Natural History Museum, has supervised several undergraduate student projects in 2016 and 2017.

“They have found that microplastics are being ingested by different animals in our inshore waters, where the microplastics appear to accumulate because of the poor tidal flushing character of our inshore, sounds, bays, and harbours,” says the doctor.

“BIOS student Derek Garvey found microplastics in 100 percent of four species of subtidal clams and oysters. BIOS student Ben Sacco and Bermudian students Shane Antonition and Giles Lorimer-Turner have found a high percentage of microplastics in three baitfish species and two of their predators. Baitfishes are plankton-feeders, who open

-S[ 'YXXIVǻIPH 'ERO WTS their mouths as they swim to filter plankton from the water and end up with microplastics.

“Filter feeders like oysters and baitfishes are used to accumulate lots of stuff they can’t digest and eliminating it from their guts,” Dr. Smith continues. “We do not know if the current levels of ingestion are harmful. But, given the magnitude of the predicted increase of microplastics in the ocean, due to the breakdown of an increasing quantity of plastic entering the Atlantic today due to poor waste management on land, the risk of deleterious impacts will increase over time, for at least another two to three decades.

“We have the sad specimen in Going Green 2018

the environment GoingGreen beaches,â&#x20AC;? she says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you see this amount of trash washing onto our shores, it is very easy to point a ďŹ nger overseas and say, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;this is their fault.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; In fact, it is everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;fault.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;The amount of plastic generated here in Bermuda is very high. The next time you go to the supermarket and start picking items up and placing them into your cart or basket, have a look at each item. How much of what you purchase is packaged in plastic? â&#x20AC;&#x153;One of the biggest problems with plastic is that more than half of the plastic made, known as single-use plastic, is used just once and then disposed of,â&#x20AC;? Riederer continues. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unfortunately, when plastic is thrown away, it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go anywhere.

Plastic items can take hundreds of years to break down, and they never actually break down entirely.

Eventually, items break down into microplastics. These tiny pieces of plastic absorb toxins and continue to pollute our planet. Microplastics are everywhere. The little pieces of blue and white plastic you see on

our beaches on the tide lines â&#x20AC;&#x201C; that is microplastic. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I care about my beautiful island home, and I am trying to make a small difference by sharing its beauty through social media posts and my tabletop photography book Bermuda Wildlife and Landscape Images. I also try to encourage people to make smart purchasing decisions for the health of our island. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every day as consumers we have the choice to purchase plastic or to try and not purchase plastic.

Sometimes these choices can be challenging, especially here in Bermuda, where we do not have as large a choice of items as you would overseas. We need to refuse singleuse plastics whenever we can. Every action we take can make a huge difference. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Environmentalist Baba Dioum says, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;?

RWSVIH IEFMRW [SVO the museum of a juvenile hawksbill turtle, which lived in Sargassum for its ďŹ rst few years of life, that had ingested so much plastic it could not feed and expired. The more mouthfuls of plastic ďŹ sh consume, the risk grows that they canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t eliminate it, and their feeding and growth rates decline.â&#x20AC;?

Jessica Riederer is a local photographer, author, and educator who has written about the plastics problem in Bermuda and who has led beach clean-ups. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I spend a lot of time on Bermudaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beautiful beaches looking for wildlife and have become increasingly disheartened by the amount of plastic making its way onto our Going Green 2018

31

GoingGreen environmental design

Creating a sense of place Landscaping helps create an air of comfort as well as improved quality of life

‘S

ense of place” can be described as a combination of characteristics that makes a place special and unique. It involves the human experience in a local landscape – identifying oneself in relation to a particular piece of land.

OBM International (OBMI) has more than 80 years of history in shaping the architectural style of Bermuda while designing with sense of place.

It was OBMI’s experience in this area that was one of the reasons it was selected by the Aecon Group as the local architects for the redevelopment of the L.F. Wade International Airport. Working with the project’s lead architectural firm specialising in airport design, the Bermuda office of OBMI is

responsible for providing direction and recommendations on the exterior treatment of the new airport to ensure it is compatible with the natural Bermudian environment and climate.

Jennifer Davidson, senior landscape architect at OBMI, says “We are delighted about the opportunity to work on the landscape design for the new airport to ensure it reflects Bermuda’s verdant beauty.”

Ms. Davidson says her objective is to not only showcase the natural beauty of Bermuda’s flora and fauna but to equally ensure the landscape selections are resilient and can sustain the elements within an airport environment – in other

words, to create a sense of place.

While the airport redevelopment project is on an elaborate scale, sense of place is not determined by size of project or property.

Everyday experiences of our natural surroundings include the roadsides while driving around the island. Lush, scenic tropical vegetation and the rural roadside character contribute to Bermuda’s identity, which is important to locals and visitors.

Here’s how we can we all positively contribute to enhancing this natural environment. Many types of existing hedges respond well to an annual spring pruning, an easy way to promote new leaf growth and flowering. If hedges are looking

Tropical vegetation and the rural roadside character contribute to Bermuda’s identity

32

Going Green 2018

environmental design GoingGreen a little thin or woody in the middle, they should be topped, or the sides sloped from the bottom to a thinner top, allowing light to reach the bottom, thus reinvigorating the plant. While it is important to keep roadside vegetation pruned for road safety and to keep overhead power lines free from obstructions, there sometimes seems to be a heavy-handed approach to roadside pruning that diminishes the island’s special character.

Another way to improve the look of not only trees and hedges but also all areas of a property is to spread mulch or compost. Mulch enriches soil, helps suppress weed growth, and generally refreshes a garden, making it look tidy and creating a unified look. Spring is the best time to mulch, but it can be done at any time.

When you spread mulch on your garden, make sure the mulch is not right up against the trunk of the tree.

Mulch helps keep roots moist and cool on hot dry summer days and prevents soil erosion and flooding.

As little as a 5% increase in the soils’ organic material quadruples its water-holding capacity.

Native and indigenous trees and shrubs offer low-maintenance, water-wise options. Examples include olivewoods, buttonwoods, cedars, and palmettos, while a wide variety of exotic shrubs add splashes of colour and interest to

OBMI is ensuring the new airport is compatible with the natural Bermudian environment and climate.

any garden. When planting new trees, try grouping trees and shrubs rather than planting in a single row for a potentially more wind-resistant landscape.

If you are planning a new garden or renovating an existing one, selecting the right trees, shrubs, or ground cover for your situation is important.

Professional landscaping, regardless of the scale, adds curb appeal and offers long-term return on any investment you will make.

More importantly, studies show urban and residential landscapes have a significant impact on your quality of life.

For example, just looking at plants and trees, even through a window, can reduce stress and lower blood pressure. Walking in a natural environment with plants

and trees, even when located in the middle of a city, has been shown to improve attention and memory.

Further, studies have shown that neighborhoods that incorporate community green spaces have lower incidences of stress, lower health care costs, and improved quality of life.

So, whether you incorporate landscaping for its sense of pride, sense of health or sense of place, landscaping just makes sense.

Sometimes heavyhanded roadside pruning diminishes the island’s special character ARCHITECTURE INTERIOR DESIGN MASTER PLANNING LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

design / drafting approvals / permits cost estimates general consulting IXUQLWXUH ÀQLVKHV OBM INTERNATIONAL 441 278 3550 BERMUDA@OBMI.COM OBMI.COM

Going Green 2018

33

GoingGreen environmental design

H

orsďŹ eld Landscape & Design Ltd. recently introduced FilterPave to Bermuda.

FilterPave is a porous paving alternative to traditional path and patio surfaces that allows water to drain through it rather than runoff, thus reducing the effects of ďŹ&#x201A;ash ďŹ&#x201A;ooding and eliminating standing water.

HorsďŹ eld Landscape & Design has been paving private and public surfaces using brick, concrete, and modular concrete pavers for more than 30 years. Kevin HorsďŹ eld says that â&#x20AC;&#x153;The ďŹ rst issue that always needs to be dealt with is water and rain runoff and where it will go. Nobody wants to ďŹ&#x201A;ood their neighbour.â&#x20AC;? Over the years, HorsďŹ eld has developed various systems to deal with this problem â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but never to the point of being able to eliminate it completely.

Now it has a solution, with FilterPave Porous Paving. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is a very interesting new product for the island that has a successful, proven track record in the United States. I

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A green solution for WXSVQ [EXIV VYRSÇş An attractive porous paving, made using recycled materials, LEW QER] IRZMVSRQIRXEP FIRIÇťXW

FilterPave at the Mid Ocean Club guest cottages before and after

think it will revolutionise how the island can deal with the associated runoff from our heavy downpours and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;tank rain,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? says HorsďŹ eld. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are very pleased to be the exclusive installers for Bermuda.â&#x20AC;?

This groundbreaking material combines an ecologically sensitive, high-performance binder, with speciďŹ c aggregates to create an effective, attractive, porous pavement in a variety of colours. It is bonded using proprietary BASF polyurethane elastomeric binder. Sixty percent of the ingredients are recycled plant material, making it a â&#x20AC;&#x153;greenâ&#x20AC;? product.

It can be combined with any clean stone or recycled glass aggregate to create a high-level ďŹ nish.

Prince Alfred Terrace in Dockyard is the location of the ďŹ rst application on island. The refurbished building needed something more upmarket than the traditional paving surfaces to reďŹ&#x201A;ect the high-level ďŹ nish of the interiors. WEDCO contracted HorsďŹ eld to FilterPave the pedestrian areas on the waterside of the building that were previously soulless, patchy concrete. The concrete also had

issues with standing water and poor drainage.

The transformation was dramatic.

Instead of drab grey concrete and standing water, there is now a beautiful golden stone ďŹ nish that collects the water and allows it to drain freely, removing the standing water issues.

HorsďŹ eld has also used this product to enhance the guest cottages at the Mid Ocean Club.

The previous pathways down to the rooms were concrete over-laid with industrial rubber tiles. As a result of the steep incline of the pathways, when they became wet they were treacherous to walk on.

FilterPave has changed that. The dark slippery pathway has been replaced with a bright, attractive pathway that allows the water to drain down the slope without having surface runoff issues. The aesthetic value it adds to the property also cannot be understated.

For more information about FilterPave, visit www.horsďŹ eldlandscape.bm or email: horsďŹ eld@northrock.bm.

Going Green 2018

saving energy GoingGreen

Energy*ǽGMIRX Windows

When making energyIǽGMIRX MQTVSZIQIRXW SPEV ,EVHƜW [MRHS[ ǝPQ MW XLI VMKLX choice for the environment and your budget.

decrease carbon emissions or create a more comfortable and productive environment for your staff.

A buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s windows offer one of the best opportunities for a solid return on investment for energy savings. Solar energy enters through windows and causes heat to build up inside the building, leading to uncomfortable hotspots and an increased need for air conditioning.

With proven heat-rejection properties, Solar Gardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ďŹ lm can

help your business reduce energy for cooling by up to 30%. The ďŹ lm will keep interior temperatures more stable and reduce the need for air conditioning while moderating peak usage and allowing your cooling system to operate more efďŹ ciently.

Less costly than installing new windows and more efďŹ cient than low-e coatings at rejecting solar heat, Solar Gardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ďŹ lm transforms standard ofďŹ ce glass into highperformance windows.

S

olar Gardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s window ďŹ lm rejects heat and keeps interior temperatures stable, allowing you to cut cooling costs and energy consumption. By adding this ďŹ lm to your windows, you can reduce cooling costs by up to 30%.

Costs Installing Solar Gardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ďŹ lm on your windows costs a fraction of replacing them, making this installation one of the most costeffective ways to reduce energy consumption and increase the comfort inside your home or ofďŹ ce.

On average, installing this window ďŹ lm is four times less costly than installing new windows.

Carbon Cost The carbon cost of one square metre of Solar Gardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s window ďŹ lm is less than 10 kilograms. By comparison, a low-e, wood-frame window has a carbon cost of approximately 444 kilograms per square metre.

Greenhouse Gases According to independently veriďŹ ed research, Solar Gardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s window ďŹ lm saves 100 times more greenhouse gas emissions from entering the atmosphere than are used or created during the ďŹ lmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s manufacturing.

UV Protection Solar Gardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s window ďŹ lm ďŹ lters visible light and blocks more than 99% of the harmful ultraviolet (UV) light associated with premature aging and skin cancer.

With an SPF of 285+, this ďŹ lm can also protect furnishings, carpets and other household items from fading and damage due to UV exposure.

Solar Gardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ďŹ lm is also a good choice for your ofďŹ ce, whether your goal is to reduce operating costs,

Going Green 2018

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35

GoingGreen waste management

Minimise Your Waste :ERIWI +PSSH ,SVHSR ;EWXI *HYGEXMSR ERH *RJSVGIQIRX 4ǽGIV JSV XLI ,SZIVRQIRX SJ Bermuda, provides simple steps to reduce, reuse, and recycle

A

waste audit conducted in 2017 by the Government Department of Operations and Engineering indicated that the average Bermuda resident produced about 1,100 pounds of trash per year. Combined with waste from the City of Hamilton, Town of St. George’s, commercial and institutional sectors, this adds up to 1.5 tonnes per person per year.

Given that Bermuda has a modern waste management system, where household waste is incinerated to generate energy, should we minimise our waste?

For every pound of residential waste produced, seven pounds of manufacture waste were generated, i.e., a three-pound item generated 21 pounds of waste during manufacture. Potentially, the country of manufacture doesn’t have a waste-to-energy facility, so 21 pounds of waste may now be polluting groundwater or the ocean. Still not convinced? When shopping, you are paying not only for goods purchased but also for packaging you’ll probably discard.

A review of Bermuda’s most recent waste audit shows a few simple steps for reducing waste.

36

The 3 Rs – REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE – are said in this order because waste reduction is always the greenest option, followed by reuse and, lastly, recycling.

Most household waste begins at the grocery store. To reduce waste, always look for items with the least amount of packaging. Buying loose items, or those in a simple bag, as opposed to those in a bag and a box, cuts costs and packaging waste at home. Additionally, bulk items like these are often less expensive. You don’t need all that packaging and won’t miss having it in your trash bin. If your grocers don’t offer loose fruits and vegetables, ask them – after all, you’re the customer.

Try reusing items as often as possible. If buying something for one-time use, check out renting, secondhand, or borrowing. Old clothing or toys can be taken to one of the many reuse centers or jumble sales, many of which benefit local charities. Bring your own bags to the store, use a reusable water bottle and coffee cup. After unpacking groceries at home, place your reusable bags next to your keys, so you’ll remember to put them back

in your vehicle for your next shopping trip.

Composting, another form of reusing, is an easy way to fertilise gardens. Bermuda has a revived interest in gardening, and many schools have compost bins and incorporate composting into EcoSchool initiatives. You’ll be surprised by the waste reduction achieved by composting kitchen waste: One composter reported his family reduced waste from seven bags weekly to only two simply through composting.

Recycle your Tin, Aluminium, and Glass (T-A-G) using blue recycling bags, which are used for packing at some stores and are available at all local grocers.

Bermuda’s recycling programme is one of the easiest curbside recycling programs; there’s no need to sort tin, aluminium, and glass into different bins – nor do you have to drive your recyclables to a drop-off centre. Recycling is collected every other week, on Thursdays in the west and on Fridays in the east. The recycling centre also recycles household air-conditioners, CPUs, laptop computers, and cell-phones, but please don’t put these items in your blue bag.

Adding it all up. Of the 1,100 pounds of waste each Bermuda resident throws out per year, on average 17% falls into the blue bag recycling category (T-A-G), and a further 24% is readily compostable kitchen scraps. By implementing recycling and composting, you can reduce your household waste by approximately 40%. Just think of the possibilities by adding reducing and reusing to the mix. For compost bin purchase or further information, email recycle@gov.bm.

Going Green 2018

water sustainability GoingGreen

Bottled Water that’s Better for Bermuda Bermuda Waterworks explains why their bottled water is an excellent choice for those concerned about our environment

T

he bottled water industry was going green long before the term became popular. Through its home and office segment, the industry has demonstrated a significant impact on reducing pollution through the repeated use of its bottles until their life cycle is completed.

Bermuda Waterworks manufactures bottled water in reusable 3- and 5-gallon containers.

The company repurchases used bottles in order to encourage clients to return them in good condition for a full credit on their next transaction.

At the plant, returned bottles are individually inspected. Bottles that pass this first step are then cleaned with a soap solution and warm water at high pressure, rinsed with ozonated water in a sanitising step and then filled and capped. Rejected bottles are set aside for destruction.

A fraction of the bottles are rejected because of small leaks caused by neglect or misuse. Empty bottles should only be refilled with pure water. They are not meant to hold trash or other liquids such as drink mixes, a popular choice at family and church picnics.

A bottle that has been used for drink mix cannot be reused by Bermuda Waterworks. The company encourage clients to contact them if they need rejected bottles for any sports or fundraising events.

Bermuda Waterworks’ most popular water cooler is Energy Starrated. These coolers help residents and businesses reduce their

Going Green 2018

is another decorative option. All of these models dispense water at a pleasant room temperature.

Water conservation is crucial on our island as it does not have any natural rivers or lakes. Bermuda Waterworks also provides piped metered water, of which 100% is manufactured by reverse osmosis.

This process requires electricity.

However, over time, new and energy-efficient equipment has been installed in order to reduce our consumption of fossil fuels.

The company encourages residents to use its utility water wisely as a top-up supply. For more than 85 years, Bermuda Waterworks has manufactured water to meet the island’s growing needs. The company will continue to do its part in making water production as green and efficient as possible.

New services are being introduced for clients to purchase bottled water in reusable and recyclable containers. Going green will be easier with budget friendly options.

energy bills, and can help make a difference for the environment. This is because products that earn the Energy Star prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental and Protection Agency.

These energy efficient coolers are available in room temperature/ cold and hot/cold models. The company also sells water-dispensing equipment that does not require any electricity. There is the very popular dolphin pump, where water is manually pumped out of the bottle. There is also the compact cradle and valve that sit perfectly on any counter. The ceramic crockpot 37

Committed to a sustainable path As one of the world’s largest multiline property and casualty insurers, Chubb has a responsibility to control our ecological footprint in the communities in which we work and live. By introducing numerous environmental initiatives, we strive to reduce our impact on the local environment and are committed to promoting a healthy and sustainable planet.

chubb.com

The Chubb Building in Bermuda is LEED Gold® and is using the LEED Dynamic Plaque™ to manage its building performance. The LEED Dynamic Plaque measures and displays current building performance data spanning energy, water, waste, transportation and human experience. Learn more at LEEDon.io.

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