BAM values environmental consciousness, and is currently involved in many environmental initiatives.
BAM COMMUNICATIONS
BAM is committed to exploring and developing environmentally conscious marketing methods, and investigating green alternatives to traditional marketing approaches. Beginning with the 2007 Next Wave Festival season brochure, BAM has made concerted efforts to collaborate with eco-friendly vendors, including our printers, and use Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper. Almost all of BAM's brochures, postcards, and other mail features the FSC logo, ensuring that both the paper and ink were sourced responsibly, and includes information about the percentage of recycled products used in its production and printing. In fact, some of BAM's materials are edible!
In addition to using recycled and sustainable materials, BAM has also decreased its overall paper use. Careful records are kept of how many pieces are printed and ultimately mailed in order to reduce overage and surplus, and the actual pieces created have become smaller, reducing the amount of paper needed for each individual piece. Further, BAM now heavily campaigns electronically, marketing via e-mail, creating online ads, and employing other web-based methods. All of BAM's press releases are sent out electronically, as well, in order to reduce paper waste. In the future, BAM hopes to extend its e-marketing capability, and will continue to explore green marketing and environmentally conscious resources.
BAM OPERATIONS
BAM takes environmental responsibility very seriously, and endeavors green–consciousness at every level of operations. BAM endorses a rigorous recycling program, encouraging both staff and visitors to recycle paper, plastic, and glass products in the many available receptacles. Additionally, the cleaning products used by BAM's custodial staff are all green-friendly, the paper products all bio-degradable, and special training is given to new staff instructing them how to use these new products and methods effectively and efficiently. BAM's drinking water-filtration system cuts down on the use of disposable 5-gallon bottles, and reduces the gas consumption due to fewer beverage deliveries. Heating, cooling, and office lighting are all turned off after-hours, to further reduce unnecessary energy usage. BAM also recycles used batteries and is in the process of replacing all incandescent lighting with compact fluorescents and other energy efficient and environmentally friendly lamps. BAM's Building Operations department will continue to investigate further energy saving measures in the future, whether it's as simple as eco-friendly cleaning to building-wide ventilation.
BAM'S BUILDING
BAM is one of 10 New York City cultural institutions participating in a pilot program exploring sustainable construction and design. Championed by the Sustainable Design Unit of the Department of Design and Construction of New York City (DDC), The US Green Building Council (USGBC) has developed a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™, which analyzes the environmental impact of existing and planned buildings. An investigative team made up of consultants from Horizon Engineering Associates LLC, e4, inc., and BAM explored the Peter Jay Sharp building’s green capacity, both current and potential. After an exhaustive survey, it was determined that BAM exceeds the national average of entertainment facilities for energy efficiency by 14%. The consultants also noted other strengths, including BAM's commitment to eco-friendly building operations, environmental awareness, and the administrative staff's enthusiastic support and interest in green habit at work and at home.
BAM is launching the BAM Next Stage Campaign to build facilities, organization, and programs that will catalyze creative progress and community growth. One of the campaign’s major initiatives is the construction of a brand new building, the BAM Richard B. Fisher Building, a multi-use center offering a home for BAM's innovative education programs and emerging artists in the Next Wave as well as state-of-the-art facilities for Brooklyn artists and community groups to meet, rehearse, perform, and hold special events.
BAM designed the building to advance environmental objectives alongside its community and creative development goals. Currently LEED Silver-certified, the BAM Fisher Building will have an accessible roof terrace, featuring an intensive green roof system that will efficiently cool the building and save energy (BAM aims to achieve LEED Gold certification by the building's completion) . Additionally, the planted roof area will contribute to a new rainwater harvesting system, intended to store water for irrigation and building sewage conveyance. The building will utilize low-flow restroom facilities, as well as aerated faucets to reduce building water consumption by 20%. Fifty percent of wood-based materials used to construct the facility will be specified to meet Forest Stewardship Council criteria, and all adhesives, sealants, paints and coatings will have be environmentally friendly. A green housekeeping plan will include a contractual agreement for operations staff, a clear level of performance standards and housekeeping policies with approved environmental cleaning solutions.
As a community leader, BAM is poised to promote environmental consciousness beyond our stages and screens. BAM's commitment to its existing environmental initiatives is powerful, and our drive to improve is passionate.