Project Summary

Sustainable values influence every facet of Phipps:

• Our café features local and organic foods, and utilizes produce grown in onsite display gardens; food and material waste is composted, and bottled water and soda have been eliminated from our offerings. 
• The horticulture team promotes local, non-invasive species, utilizes drip irrigation, composts plant material, and practices integrated pest management.
• 100% of campus electricity is produced on-site with solar panels and wind turbines or offset by offsite renewable resources. 
• Purchasing preference is given to sustainably produced, recycled and FSC-certified products. 

Through these and other efforts, Phipps serves as an example to our 300,000-plus annual guests, reminding all of the importance of human-environment interactions and the reasons to preserve and protect our natural world.

Sustainable Features

Energy Efficiency

• Energy reduction strategies are integrated into all conservatory architecture and operations
• Energy Star compliant equipment (appliances, computers, etc.) is continually phased in
• Compact florescent light (CFL) bulbs and LED lights, motion sensors and individual task lamps provide lighting throughout the Conservatory and offices
• Computers and electronics are set to energy saving modes during working hours, and turned off and unplugged at night

Sustainable Landscapes

• Phipps' Recommended Top 10 Sustainable Plants features 10 plants each year chosen for their low maintenance requirements; Phipps then teams with local nurseries to educate consumers and promote these plants
• Educational classes, certificate programs and public programs for adults, professionals, children and school groups include topics on sustainable landscape and greener living practices
• Integrated Pest Management is coupled with supplemental target applications of soaps and oils throughout the conservatory, outdoors gardens and lawn
• Sustainable plant beds and organically-managed lawn provide green roof vegetation atop the Welcome Center
• Front lawn is underplanted with Alcoa Geoblock® recycled plastic permeable parking grid
• Front lawn grass variety is drought-resistant and endophytic-enhanced; it does not require supplemental irrigation, and is amended with compost yearly

Water Efficiency

• High efficiency plumbing fixtures reduce water usage
• Recirculating ponds, drip irrigation and water metering programs maximize water efficiency
• Rain barrels are installed on the CSL green roof, in the children's Discovery Garden and at the Phipps Garden Center

Integrated Pest Management

• Conservatory-wide program combines an array of complementary methods:
  • Natural predators and parasites
  • Pest-resistant plant varieties
  • Cultural practices
  • Biological controls
  • Physical techniques
  • Strategic use of least toxic pesticides

Sustainable Maintenance

• Waste heat condensate channeled under Welcome Center sidewalk melts snow
• Potassium chloride and calcium magnesium acetate are used as deicers in winter instead of salt in areas other than the Welcome Center front walk
• Chemical-free pressure washing is used throughout the Conservatory
• Oil from equipment is recycled
• 90% of cleaning products and paper supplies are GreenSeal approved

Material Reuse and Recycling

• All plant material from flower shows and landscape is composted
• Café Phipps composts all pre and post-consumer food waste
• Recycling of cardboard, paper, glass, plastic, aluminum, fluorescent bulbs, batteries, hard-to-recycle and construction materials
• Many exhibit materials are reused or recycled, in whole or part
• Children's projects are created out of reusable and recycled materials
• A compost bin is prominent in the children's Discovery Garden
• Bottled water is banned from the entire facility; filtered water and reusable bottles are offered

Local and Sustainable Purchasing

• Purchasing preference is given to sustainably harvested and produced, recycled, FSC-certified products
• Non-toxic materials are used for signage, including soy-based inks with UV protection
• All paper contains recycled content, with preference given to 100% recycled and Forest Stewardship Council products
• Recycled, unbleached paper towels are provided in manually operated towel dispensers
• Non-antibacterial soap is used throughout facility
• The Shop at Phipps offers sustainable, fair trade and organic products
• Growing Greener Events offers sustainable special events programming