Project Home’s Green Team strives to initiate sustainable business practices and to reduce the company’s impact on the planet.

Our employee Green Team’s most successful action has been organizing an agency recycling program. Project Home goes beyond typical office material and recycles or finds reuse for computer equipment, construction materials and metals. Money collected from recycling is put in a “Pizza Fund” and is used to purchase lunch for our entire staff. This encourages a cooperative green culture and gives employees an incentive to separate and clean their recyclables.

We are fortunate to have many wonderful recycling vendors in Madison. Here is a list of our vendors and others that recycle or reuse common materials:

Ace Hardware – Rechargeable Batteries and Florescent Bulbs http://www.aceretailer.com/aceonwilly/
Cascade Asset Management – Computer Equipment and Electronics http://www.cascade-assets.com/
The Bruce Company – Wood, Drywall and Asphalt Shingles http://www.bruceco.com/
Madison Stuff Exchange – http://www.madisonstuffexchange.com/
UW SWAP – Office Furniture http://www.bussvc.wisc.edu/swap/
Habitat Restore – Building Products http://www.restoredane.org/home.com
Studio Paran – Styrofoam Peanuts and Bubble Wrap
All Metal Recycling – Metal

Information Sources:
Dane County Recycling Guide – http://www.co.dane.wi.us/pwht/recycling.aspx
Freecycle – http://groups.yahoo.com/group/madisonfreecycle/

Finding Energy Effificient and Recycled Materials:
Focus on Energy http://www.focusonenergy.com
Home Green Home http://www.homegreenhome.biz/home.html
Building Green http://www.buildinggreen.com/
AFM Safecoat http://www.afmsafecoat.com/index.php
Habitat Restore http://www.restoredane.org/home.cfm
EcoFriendly Flooring http://www.ecofriendlyflooring.com/
Timbergreen Forestry http://my.execpc.com/~tmbrgrn/
Sustainable Woods http://www.sustainablewoods.net/

Tips on Recycling and Energy Saving
Buy Local: Support your local economy and eliminate the emissions associated with transporting food and goods.
Reuse & Reduce: Think of recycling as your last option. Reuse containers, use a canvas bag when shopping, purchase items in bulk and avoid items that come with excessive packaging.
Use Power Strips: Most home electronics (tv, computer, cell phone & laptop charger) draw power even when they are turned off. Put your electronic devices on a power strip and turn off the strip when devices are not in use.
Use a Setback Thermostat: Keep the temperature in your home as low as is comfortable. Turn the temperature down at night and while you are gone. Also, turn down the temperature on your water heater when on vacation.
Laundry: Wash your laundry in cold water and hang it to dry.
Utilities: Many utilities now offer the option of purchasing and funding clean energy. If they are not producing renewable and clean energy, insist that they do!

Green Utility and Clean Energy Options
MG&E http://www.mge.com/index.htm
WPPI http://www.wppisys.org/
Alliant http://www.alliantenergy.com/docs/groups/public/documents/pub/p010978.hcsp
WE Energies http://www.we-energies.com/environmental/bluesky_greenfield.htm
The MREA http://www.the-mrea.org/
Focus on Energy http://www.focusonenergy.com/Renewable/
home power magazine http://www.homepower.com/home/
RENEW WI http://www.renewwisconsin.org/
Wind Energy http://www.windustry.com/
US Dept of Energy http://www.eere.energy.gov/