A S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y M A N U A L

The Green Body Project

Dedication

This manual is for the good people at Green Body, who work tirelessly to enhance and sustain

energy and function for all bodies of all species for all time.

The Natural Step

What is The Natural Step? TNS is a model for planning and integrating sustainable development. It is important to understand sustainability as a business opportunity and to create strategies that will lead to a competitive advantage. It has been scientifically proven that humans are causing damage to nature and it’s systems. As a result, scientists have developed 4 basic conditions to maintain balance in these systems that sustain life on our planet. We must acknowledge that human actions are a force of change in our environment and must equally seek to understand the social and economic forces that motivate peoples actions based on needs [1]. These values will form your triple bottom line. From www.thenaturalstep.org, here are the four system conditions of The Natural Step:

To become a sustainable society we must...

Condition 1 | What We Take…eliminate our contribution to the progressive buildup of substances extracted from the Earth's crust (i.e. heavy metals and fossil fuels)

Condition 2 | What We Make…eliminate our contribution to the progressive buildup of chemicals and compounds produced by society (i.e. dioxins, PCBs, and DDT )

Condition 3 | What We Break…eliminate our contribution to the progressive physical degradation and destruction of nature and natural processes (i.e. over harvesting forests and paving over critical wildlife habitat); and

Condition 4 | What We Waste…eliminate our contribution to conditions that undermine people’s capacity to meet their basic human needs (i.e. unsafe working conditions and not enough pay to live on) [1].

Green Body System & Inventory

Natural Gas

•Uses•Heat•Cooking

•Source•Centerpoint

•Output•CO2•Heat

Electricity

•Uses•Lighting•Air Conditioning•Washing•Electronics•Refrigeration•Equipment

•Source•Xcel Energy

•Natural Gas•Nuclear•Coal •Wind

•Output•Co2•Heat

Cleaning Products

•Uses•Washing

•Dishes•Linens•Clients•Cleaning

•Source•Seventh

Generation

•Output•Water•Phosphorous

Water

•Uses•Tap

•Washing•Dishes•Linens•Clients•Cleaning•Watering

•Drinking

•Source•Tap

•City of Saint Paul

•Drinking•Mississippi

Market•Culligan

•Output•Gray Water

Food

•Uses•Cooking Classes•Staff•Clients

•Source•Mississippi

Market

•Output•Compostable

Organic Waste•Non-

compostable organic waste

Package Materials

•Uses•Food

transportation•Containing food

•Source•Paper•Plastic•Aluminum

•Output•Compostable

Material•Non-

Compostable Material•Recyclable

Material•Non-Recyclable

Material

Building Materials

•Uses•Construction•Maintenance

•Source•Wood•Metal•Plastic

•Output•Compostable

Material•Non-

Compostable Material•Recyclable

Material•Non-Recyclable

Material

To apply the Natural Step to the Green Body system, we must learn a bit about the system and take inventory. So what is Green Body? ‘Green Body is a fresh and welcoming space with the proper tools to bring you to the next level and beyond in holistic health and fitness. The studio was designed for full body functional strength-training with individual clients, small

groups (2-4), and small classes (up to 12 depending on the class)’ [2]. So let’s take inventory: What does Green Body consume, purchase, transform, throw away, and recycle?

Condition 1 | What We Take

Nature has adapted to certain amounts of heavy metals, fossil fuels, and minerals in the earth. When we humans mine these scattered resources, use them, and put them back into the earth in concentrated amounts, we cause great imbalance and stress to our natural systems. We

must remember the laws that govern nature, which are truths that cannot be altered:

1) Nothing disappears. According to the First Law of Thermodynamics and the Principle of Matter Conservation, matter and energy cannot be created or destroyed.

2) Everything spreads. Due to the Second Law of Thermodynamics, matter and energy tend to disperse. Thus, eventually, all matter introduced into society will be dispersed into natural systems [3].

You can control your impact by being conscious of your material, quality, quantity, and technology choices. Make consumption choices that are in harmony with the Earth’s natural

systems so that when your materials return to the earth they will not increase the concentration levels.

What Can Green Body Do?

Transportation Encourage human powered transportation whenever possible. Encourage clients to car pool. Drive alternate forms of motor vehicles. Drive vehicles that use renewable resources and biofuels. Drive vehicles that get high gas mileage. Purchase carbon offsets and strive to become carbon neutral. Work with organizations that invest in alternative transportation initiatives.

What Can Green Body Do?

Energy Use electric generating, human powered technology in equipment. Create outdoor sessions and programs. Find out if your gas and electric companies have renewable energy options. Some utilities

companies offer wind or hydroelectric energy at a small fee (that is usually offset by your savings in costs) or sometimes for free, but you have to ask for it.

Acquire a home energy monitor to record your energy use so you can track your usage and make education decisions about your consumption.

Use energy efficient light bulbs and appliances. Use power strips to shut off all electronics when not in use to save from ‘phantom load’

energy use. All electronics pull some electricity just from being plugged in. This pull is called ‘phantom load’ and this use can add up over time.

Purchase carbon offsets and strive to become carbon neutral. Work with organizations who invest in carbon sequestration and renewable energy

initiatives. Encourage and work with clients to create strategies so that they can become carbon neutral. Hang dry linens.

What Can Green Body Do?

Materials Minimize consumption of materials and resources like water. Use high quality, durable materials that will last. Use repurposed materials whenever possible. Use recycled materials. Work with organizations that invest in alternative polymer development,

environmental restoration, sustainable forestry and agriculture, and biomass initiatives and strive to become water neutral.

Condition 2 | What We Make

We must be conscious of our consumption and keep that rate in balance with nature’s ability to process our waste. Reduce consumption of synthetic materials, choose biodegradable and

compostable materials, and reduce waste. [5] Choose materials that are comprised of biological and technical nutrients which at the end of their life cycle can be easily assimilated by nature [4].

‘80 percent of a product's environmental footprint is determined during the design phase’ [12].

Why Should Green Body Care?

#1: Green Body is positioned to be the first sustainable fitness studio in the mid-west, and 1 of only a handful in the entire country.

Why Else?

Today, we are over 390 parts per million of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. Historically, our Earth has been at only 275 ppm; this is a healthy level for our planet. Climate experts believe that 350 ppm is the upper limit, and when we exceed this limit we risk damaging our planet’s systems beyond repair. This is the risk we are taking today with every action that emits CO2 into our atmosphere, and the consequences are unpredictable [6].

‘Since 1940, the production rates of synthetic petrochemicals has increased from one billion pounds to over 400 billion pounds in the 1980’s, the impacts of which include bioaccumulation and cancer’ [5].

Today, many women’s human breast milk is so contaminated with mercury and flame retardants like Teflon (found in chairs, cars, clothes, beds, virtually everything we touch) that it would not be approved for human consumption by the FDA [13].

By measuring and analyzing Green Body’s impact, we can reduce or eliminate its contribution to issues such as these, and the overall impact on the planet.

Where is Green Body Now?

Currently, Green Body:

Recycles paper, plastic bottles, and aluminum. Disposes of one tall kitchen bag of trash per month, the rest is recycled or

composted or reused. Uses washable dishes instead of disposable. Has created a green ceiling which provides better air quality. Uses energy efficient lighting and use natural light when possible. Keeps heat and cooling temperatures at energy saving levels. Will soon use an Owl, an energy use monitor. Turns phantom load power off at night. Uses organic and fair trade ingredients smoothies and kombucha

beverages. Uses water that is non-cooled and is supplied in refillable containers.

Where Does Green Body Want to Be?

In 10 Years Be Carbon Neutral. Be Water Neutral. Be in a LEED certified building.

In 5 Years Use energy generating equipment. Begin planning sustainable building initiative. Acquire small scale solar panels to supplement electricity. Install green roof.

By Next Year Work with a sustainable designer. Initiate a sustainability plan.

Work with organizations that invest in sustainable initiatives. Practice environmentally conscious actions. Understand and support government policies in sustainability.

Reduce consumption, change habits, retrofit building, use available alternative energy options.

Carbon Neutral

Work with sustainable

designer

Initiate sustainability

plan

InvestPracticeLearn

Monitor

Reduce need for

refrigeration

Purchase carbon offsets

and use alternative

energy options at utilities

Acquire energy

generating equipment

Acquire solar panels

Begin plan for LEED building

Use biomass system for

cooking gas (eventually for

all gas)

Become carbon neutral!

1 Year 5 Years 10 Years

Water Neutral

Work with sustainable

designer

Initiate sustainability

plan

InvestPracticeLearn

Monitor

Use eco settings on washer and dishwasher

Install gray water capture

systems in bathroom and

kitchen

Install rain barrels to

collect rainwater

Install green roof on

buildingBegin plan for LEED building

Use living machine to recycle all

water in closed loop system

Become water neutral!

1 Year 5 Years 10 Years

LEED Certified

Work with sustainable

designer

Initiate sustainability

plan

InvestPracticeLearn

Monitor

Use repurposed and recycled

materials

Join up with green coalition

for material swapping scheme

Construct equipment instead of

consuming equipment

Begin plan to become LEED

certified or acquire a

LEED certified space

Created constructed

equipment for sale

Meet LEED requirements

Become LEED certified!

1 Year 5 Years 10 Years

How Does Green Body Get There?

In order to achieve our desired outcomes, we must have a clear vision of where we are trying to get to. We must utilize the tools others have created for us so that we can measure and analyze our progress towards our vision.

Vision

Strategy

Action

Outcome

TOOLS:

•The Natural Step framework [1]

•Carbon Footprint Calculator [7]

•Water Footprint Calculator [15]

•Triple Bottom Line [8]

•Biomimicry [9]

•Life Cycle Analysis [10]

•Permaculture Principles [11]

•Hannover Principles [14]

Condition 3 | What We Break

We must be conscious of our actions and how they impact our biosphere; our species, habitats, landscapes, ecosystems, and watersheds. We must keep our

planet healthy in order to keep ourselves healthy.

How do we do that?

Compost to restore soil quality Invest in a gray water system to reduce consumption

Invest in protecting natural habitats Design smart growth

Support sustainable fishing, agriculture, and forestry

How Can Green Body Protect Water?

Direct Invest in a gray water system at the studio.

Used water from the sink can be used to flush the toilet. Used kitchen sink water can be collected to water the plants.

Rain water can be collected from the roof.

Indirect Work with organizations that invest in sustainable agriculture. ‘Worldwide,

agriculture accounts for 70% of all water consumption’ [16], and with inefficient irrigation methods or in poor soils water runoff can be as much as 50%. This type of investment can help replace a gallon of water into our biosphere for every gallon that Green Body takes, leading to the goal of becoming water neutral.

Work with organizations that invest in protecting and restoring natural habitats.

How Can Green Body Protect Earth?

Food Work with organizations that invest in Sustainable Agriculture Choose organic, local foods Compost or make biofuels from organic waste

Wood Work with organizations that invest in Sustainable Forestry Use reclaimed wood first whenever possible, recycled second

Metals Avoid consumption of toxic metals like chrome and mercury Reduce consumption of devices that plug in, which often have toxic metals in

them that can be hard to recycle or reclaim

How Can Green Body Protect Biodiversity?

Consumption Reduce Consumption of Meat. Avoid consuming fish and other meats that were harvested unsustainably. Eat local. Eat organic & free range foods.

Restoration Work with organizations that invest in habitat protection and restoration. Use native plants in gardens. Use permaculture principles to maintain diversity and health of gardens.

The 3 Futures of Green Body

Keep On Keepin’ On

Go AstrayAssume the Position

Green Body has a choice to make about which direction they want to take the business. Green Body has 3 Futures.

Green Body can keep on keepin’ on doing the same things they are doing today and business will most likely stay relatively level.

Green Body can go astray from the sustainability plan and do nothing, allowing another gym to take advantage of the huge opportunity for sustainable fitness in Saint Paul.

Or, Green Body can begin implementing the ideas in this manual and assume the position of the first sustainable fitness studio in the Midwest.

Condition 4 | What We Waste

We need to understand what it means to meet our needs with efficiency and what it means to live with ‘enough’.

Money is only good for meeting basic needs with. After that is done, happiness comes from living life, not making money.

We must consume less and waste less.

Redefine the Green Body service. What is Green Body really selling? How can we provide the customer with what they really want more efficiently?

Do not waste human capital. Social equity is just as important as economy and environment. Support Fair Trade initiatives.

Summary

In Conclusion…

In order to get where you are going you have to see what it is you are seeking. Take inventory of your consumption and waste. Decide where you want to be

in the future. Figure out what steps you will need to take to get there.

This manual has been created specifically for Green Body with suggestions on how sustainability might become a strategic advantage that can provide greater economic wealth, social equity, and environmental well being for

Green Body’s triple bottom line.

Thank you.

Sources

[1] TheNaturalStep.org | http://www.thenaturalstep.org/the-system-conditions[2] GreenBody.net | http://www.greenbody.net/training-studio.php[3] A Deeper Look at System Condition 1, Jill Rosenblum |

https://learn.mcad.edu/@@/4238F531F3985F0DC0E352C642C2E05E/courses/1/SDVS-1960-10-F10/content/_110299_1/NaturalStepSC1.pdf

[4] Cradle to Cradle, William McDonough, 2002.[5] A Deeper Look at System Condition 2, Jill Rosenblum |

https://learn.mcad.edu/@@/D5FCFE87D5AD13C7010606AC10993ADC/courses/1/SDVS-1960-10-F10/content/_110307_1/NaturalStepSC2.pdf

[6] 350.org | http://www.350.org/en/about/science[7] Nature.org | http://www.nature.org/initiatives/climatechange/calculator/[8] Cannibals with Forks, John Elkington, 1998. [9] BiomimicryInstitute.org | http://www.biomimicryinstitute.org/[10] ISO.org |

http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/management_and_leadership_standards/environmental_management.htm[11] Holmgren.com | http://www.holmgren.com.au/[12] 80% of a Product Footprint is Determined in Design Phase | http://www.corporateclimate.net/green-manufacturing-

climate/35-equipment-technology/141-80-percent-of-a-products-environmental-footprint-is-determined-during-the-design-phase.html

[13] NewYorkTimes.com | http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/09/magazine/09TOXIC.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1[14] McDonough.com | http://www.mcdonough.com/principles.pdf[15] Waterfootprint.org | http://www.waterfootprint.org/?page=cal/WaterFootprintCalculator[16] Worldometers.info | http://www.worldometers.info/water/

Kelly KokaiselDesign for Community

Fall | 2010