E. THE INDOOR ENVIRONMENT

1. Educational Programs – Environmental education is included in the multiple learning programs at Charlestown, including University of Maryland Baltimore County, Community College of Baltimore County, ELLIC (Enjoy Lifelong Learning in Charlestown), and invited guest speakers. In the past several years, topics have included Environmental Science, Climate Change, Charlestown’s Natural History, Science Skeptics, The Earth’s Climate System, Calvert Cliffs, Hydraulic Fracturing, Genetically Modified Foods, The Almighty Oyster, The Monarch Butterfly, and many others. Many articles also are provided in the Charlestown Sunburst Newspaper and the Erickson Tribune Newspaper. The Resident Council’s Conservation Committee plays a key role in keeping people informed through these articles, posters, and television spots.

2. Elevated Walkways – One of the best ideas in the development of Charlestown was the building of elevated enclosed walkways between all of the buildings. These heated and air-conditioned enclosures allow residents to travel all over campus during any time of year or in any weather conditions. They also provide a mile-long indoor circuit for exercise. The highest walkways, or skywalks, cross the small valley on the north side of campus, connecting the St. Charles and Herbert’s Run buildings, and the Edgewood and Brookside buildings. The skywalks allow residents to walk among the canopies of tall forest trees, enjoying them during every season of the year. Permanent signs will be posted during 2017 in the skywalk windows to identify the most prominent trees. The walkways thereby will be not only efficient and enjoyable, but also educational.

3. Energy Conservation – Charlestown has an on-going program of energy conservation, which is the essence of the environmental concept of REDUCE. The program includes the use of double-paned windows, compact fluorescent lights, energy-efficient outdoor lighting, automatically closing doors, proper insulation, a charging station for electric-powered cars, an efficient shuttle service, green roofs, and energy-saving reminders to residents. However, there are no alternative energy sources installed, such as solar power; and there are no LEED buildings on campus.

Although not part of the indoor environment, the Charlestown shuttle service plays a key role in energy conservation by saving gasoline and reducing the number of cars on campus. The resident portion of this service provides transportation between buildings and also serves as a taxi service to hospitals, BWI airport and other area destinations. The staff portion of this service provides rides for Charlestown working personnel living in the area.

4. Water Conservation – This Charlestown program is also based on the REDUCE concept. It involves standard use of low-flow devices such as aerators in faucets, low-flow shower heads, and low- volume toilets. Conservation is practiced in controlled landscape watering and rapid repair of leaks either inside or outside of buildings. Tangentially related to water conservation, the swimming pool uses a chlorine-saline additive, which not only disinfects the water but also protects the pipes from corrosion.

5. Reuse Programs – Charlestown has the following excellent applications of the REUSE concept:

The Treasure Sale – This is a quarterly event which involves scores of resident volunteers. When residents depart Charlestown, family members often donate items to this sale. Donations include jewelry, clothing, books, music, furniture, small appliances, bedding, and all other types of household goods. These items are cleared from the apartment, checked for usability, cleaned as necessary, and stored for the next Treasure Sale, where they are organized, priced, and readied for sale. Each 3-day sale involves both Charlestown residents and those of the local communities purchasing the items for very reasonable prices. Each event routinely brings in $28,000 to over $30,000, thus earning well over $110,000 annually for Charlestown’s Benevolent Care Fund, which helps ensure that residents who may have financial problems are able to remain in their apartments. Items which do not sell are given to local charities. These sales are immensely popular, are resident-driven, and are the ultimate in REUSE.

Large Appliance Sales and Contributions to Habitat for Humanity – When Charlestown apartments become empty, appliances and cabinetry are often replaced. Those removed items which are still in good, usable condition are provided for REUSE in two ways. They may go for resale to Charlestown staff members at reasonable prices, or they may be provided to Habitat for Humanity for resale and reuse by the local community.

Book Collection – Annually resident Pat Kasuda arranges a collection of unwanted books from residents, and through the local Rotary Club these books are then sold or donated for further use.

Usable automobiles – These are sold or can be donated via Charlestown’s Cars for Care Program, with proceeds going to the Benevolent Care Fund.

6. Recycling Programs – The environmental concept of RECYCLE is accomplished in multiple ways at Charlestown:

Trash recycling is done throughout the community. Residents separate recyclables, which are picked up weekly at their apartment doors, thus making it easy and convenient. The recyclables are collected in the Charlestown recycling truck and transported to Waste Management’s “Recycle America” center in Elkridge, Maryland, which is one of the largest single-stream recycling operations in the United States. This operation includes metals, glass, plastics, paper and cardboard, but not styrofoam.

Recycling constitutes approximately 30% of the monthly trash flow from the campus.

Other aspects of recycling at Charlestown include small battery collection at campus laundry facilities and then contract disposal. Old tires, car batteries, and electronics can be recycled at County facilities. Plastic bags are recycled by residents at local grocery stores. Compact fluorescent light bulbs are recycled through the Charlestown Maintenance Department, with free replacement and proper disposal (mercury control). Food oils and greases from Charlestown’s multiple restaurant kitchens are collected by contract and recycled. Shredded paper products are collected from secure locations and are recycled by contract.

7. Other Waste Management –
Non-recyclable solid waste constitutes roughly 70% of the more than 100 tons of waste collected per month from the campus. This refuse is collected twice per week from offices, restaurants, and apartments by Charlestown employees and taken by Waste Management Inc. to the Wheelabrator Baltimore (formerly BRESCO) municipal solid waste incinerator in south Baltimore. Waste Management, Inc. also owns this three-burner incinerator, which can handle 2250 tons of waste daily, and its steam provides both heat and power to the city. Incinerator ash is taken for disposal at Baltimore’s Quarantine Road landfill at Hawkins Point at Curtis Bay on Baltimore’s outer harbor.

Special solid waste disposal on campus includes controlled collection and disposal of sharps and proper disposal of medicines (and containers) through education programs. The on-campus CVS Pharmacy has special envelopes available for the disposal of excess/unusable medications. Medical waste from the Charlestown Medical Center is handled in accordance with standard accepted procedures. Restaurant solid waste is collected in large closed-top containers for contract removal.

Construction and renovation waste is collected in large open-top containers which are removed by contractor trucks. For personal disposal of items, as residents of Baltimore County Charlestown residents may use the County’s Western Acceptance Facility on Transway Road. The Facility is located four miles southeast of campus, between I-895 and the Patapsco River.

8. Potentially Hazardous Substances – Each staff or resident work area on campus which uses such substances keeps the materials properly stored, with instructions for use available. Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) are available for all items. Work areas include maintenance, housekeeping, medical, grounds and transportation, restaurants, the swimming pool, and also the Wood Shop (which alone has more than 160 SDSs for solvents, paints, polishes, etc.). Fuel and oil tanks on campus, as well as emergency generators, are properly located and maintained, and receive regular inspections.

9. Campus No Smoking Policy – This policy was instituted in 2014, and it applies to staff, residents, contractors, and guests. The only exception is that the policy is grandfathered for smoking residents inside their own apartments. For those residents, the use of “smoke eater” machines and door sweeps is strongly encouraged.