What did the Congregation Agree To Do?

Adopted by the members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville at their Annual Meeting on June 8, 2008.

Environmental Sustainability Policy

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville commits itself to living more sustainably upon the Earth. We covenant with one another to:

• Be more intentional in our choices and decision-making;
  

• Practice a willingness to learn new behaviors from one another;
  

• And collaborate together as we seek creative and practical solutions that will enable us to practice sustainability.
  

We commit to choosing and supporting the most environmentally sound and sustainable practices in our congregational activities—whenever possible—including, but not limited to, the following:

1. Purchasing and using:
- Products made of and prepared with renewable resources
- Items produced through environmentally friendly processes
- Items produced by companies recognized for adherence to environmentally-sound and socially responsible business practices
- Products made of recycled materials whenever possible, specifically paper that is 100% tree free and/or 100% recycled

2. Avoiding materials which are toxic in the environment:
- Pesticides, herbicides, insect repellants, and other lawn and/or garden chemicals
- Paints, stains, or building materials containing and/or produced with hazardous chemicals
- High phosphate detergents
- Cleaning products and polishes containing chlorine or ammonia
- All aerosol containers
- Toxic art/craft suppliesBleached or dyed paper products

3. Conserving energy:
- Using heating, air conditioning, and lighting only when necessary
- Checking to see that all appliances and lights are off when leaving the building
- Replacing standard incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs
- Replacing older, less-efficient appliances with more energy-efficient models

4. Conserving water:
- Reporting dripping faucets, running toilets, etcetera to office
- Replacing old toilet fixtures with new low flow models
- Harvesting rainwater for outdoor watering needs

5. Conserving fossil fuels:
- Carpooling, walking or cycling to UU services and events
- Consolidating other errands with trips to UU services and events

6. Recycling:
- Paper
- Aluminum
- Glass
- Copier and printer cartridges
- Computer equipment
- Other electronic devices
- Composting organic waste from lawn, garden, and kitchen (must be grease-and-animal-product free)

7. Managing the UUCA facility and grounds with environmental and social responsibility in mind:
- Planting native vegetation
- Removing invasive alien vegetation
- Planning any construction and/or remodeling

8. Being environmentally-conscious when planning and serving food, refreshments, or snacks at meetings and events:
- Choosing a plant-centered menu with sustainably-grown, local and/or organic foods
- Limiting inclusion of processed and over-packaged foods
- Reducing saturated fats
- Handling left-over foods responsibly, for example, planning in advance to either freeze leftovers for another event or donate leftovers to a local food pantry
- Using glass, china, and cutlery instead of throw-away paper or plastic unless the size or location of the event precludes this

9. Investing in environmentally and socially responsible funds

The Green Sanctuary Committee looks forward to working with the entire UUCA community as we move toward Green Sanctuary status by adopting this Environmental Sustainability policy. If you have questions and/or concerns about the implementation of these “green” measures, members of the committee are available to explore options for overcoming obstacles as we work together as individuals and as a congregation to live more sustainably upon the Earth.