Agera Energy is a full-service, fully-licensed supplier of natural gas and electricity based in Briarcliff Manor, New York. Agera's primary focus is delivering premium services to its customers while reducing its environmental footprint through responsible business practices. This philosophy is in place even outside of the offices, As Agera employees have committed to being more eco-friendly at home. This ensures a natural, clean and safe environment for future generations to enjoy.
Taking these steps to become more environmentally aware and responsible were actually quite simple. Following Agera's certification as a Westchester green Business on Earth Day 2016 which the company achieved by implementing a number of methods to make its operations more sustainable, Agera issued a challenge to other businesses to do the same. To encourage this, Agera shared a number of its own practices. These are ideas that can be incorporated into any office environment, meaning even more responsible changes for a better future:
CONTROL ENERGY INDOORS
By covering office windows with special film tinting that is designed to cut down on indoor heat from the sun. It also works on windows that face south. Agera Energy also makes sure that its refrigerators are set to the proper temperature and working at top form so as not to waste energy. In order to do this, Agera Energy had thermostats installed that accurately monitor the temperatures.
WATER FILTRATION SYSTEMS
To cut down on the waste of environmentally-unfriendly plastic water bottles, Agera provided each of its employees with a reusable, BPA-free water bottle. The company also installed a clean water filtration system with which to fill and refill those reusable bottles.
RESPONSIBLE RECYCLING
Prior to becoming a Certified Winchester Green Business, Agera Energy did not participate in any type of recycling program. They used only trash receptacles. Nowadays they utilize aluminum, paper, and glass recycling bins throughout the facility. The company has also opted out of a number of unnecessary junk mail and direct mailing lists. This goes a long way in cutting down on paper recycling. By going paperless wherever possible, waste of other resources is decreased as well. Less mail is physically delivered to the company, meaning less paper that must be recycled.
Due to the fact that not all trash is recyclable in any of the standard recycling bins, it was necessary for some instructions to be posted in order to prevent any type of contamination from occurring and ruining an entire collection of materials should a hazardous item be placed in the incorrect collection bin. To avoid this, Agera posted signs throughout its facility listing the various types of objects that can be recycled and where they should be placed. Not only has this proven beneficial within the facility, but several employees have also reported that this information has helped them to more efficiently recycle at home and to teach their families about more responsible recycling as well.
There are, however, some items that do not belong in either the trash bin OR the recycling bin. These types of items include electronic waste and hazardous waste materials. To dispose of items such as these, Agera utilizes an e-waste container from Veolia North America. This e-container is set up in the facility's central copier room.
Thanks to the proactive steps it has taken to embody and promote environmental friendliness and responsibility, Agera Energy stands at the forefront of the movement within the energy industry – and a number of other industries – in reducing the environmental footprint we are leaving behind. This is sure to have a huge impact on the future of our planet, ensuring a brighter tomorrow for future generations.
