Our Latest Involvement

BlueHornet's GreenHornet Initiative was started in late 2006 to reduce our reliance on non-sustainable energy sources and increase our awareness of local and global opportunities to protect the environment.

Why GreenHornet?

As corporate citizens, BlueHornet makes a conscious choice to operate our company in an environmentally sound manner. Just as we advocate the highest levels of integrity when it comes to email marketing, we continuously strive to be ecologically friendly and efficient. Ultimately, our goal is to eliminate our carbon footprint and work in harmony with our physical and human environment.

Benefits:

In addition to the positive affects BlueHornet's GreenHornet Initiative has on the world around us, additional benefits include:

• Significantly reduced operating costs
• Higher productivity thanks to a healthier work environment
  
• Employee empowerment
• Increased awareness of environmental issues
• A better world for future Hornets

Founding Team Members: BlueHornet Creative Designer Michael McKibben, and Office Manager Karen Mickschl.

What We're Doing Today:

1. Electricity Waste Elimination
   1. Wherever possible, we have switched light bulbs from incandescent to compact fluorescent or LED. (Only exceptions are lights on dimmer switches.)
   2. Strongly encouraged the elimination of incandescent and halogen personal lights.
   3. Significant HVAC modifications to adjust office temperatures and eliminate the need for space heaters.
   4. Established guidelines and implemented compliance for computer energy usage.
   5. Increased awareness of general electricity usage, including leaving conference rooms "powered down" when not in use.
   6. Replaced holiday tree lights with LED lights.
2. Physical Waste Reduction
   1. Established a thorough recycling program for
      1. paper/paperboard/cardboard
      2. aluminum cans
      3. batteries
      4. toner/print cartridges
      5. computers/monitors/printers
      6. used CFL (compact fluorescent) bulbs
   2. Replaced disposable coffee cups with reusable ceramic GreenHornet coffee mugs and drinking glasses to be used by any employee. Disposable cups should be used for guests only.
3. Smart Supply Purchasing
   1. Purchasing only 100% recycled paper for the copier/printer (preferably 100% post-consumer recycled paper).
   2. Purchasing products with minimal amounts of packaging.
   3. Purchasing locally when possible.
4. Efficient Commuting
   1. Encourage and reward Hornets for making environmentally smart decisions pertaining to their commute, including full reimbursement of public transportation costs.
   2. Encourage Hornets to bring their lunch, eat locally within walking distance, or take the trolley to restaurants.
5. Participation in Local Environmental Projects
6. Ongoing Employee Education Programs

What's Next for GreenHornet:

1. Energy Star Phase-In for Replacement Office Appliances
2. Purchase of a Dishwasher for Water and Energy Efficiency
3. Physical Building
   1. In the event BlueHornet should move physical locations, expand to additional physical locations, or build an office, a committee will be developed to study and promote environmental efficiencies at the earliest possible stages of planning.
   2. New locations should maintain our current commitment to convenient proximity to public transportation, preferably a trolley line.
   3. LEED certification.
   4. Reuse of materials.
   5. Energy Independence should be designed into the building from the beginning, including but not limited to photovoltaic panels to provide 100% of the building's electricity needs and a solar hot water system.
   6. Green roof to eliminate waste-water runoff.
   7. Bicycle parking or storage room.
   8. Shower facilities.
   9. An outdoor and indoor space to enjoy a home-packed lunch or rest should be included. The outdoor space should be semi-private and inspirationally landscaped with a water feature.

Past Community Service Efforts