• In offices, windows enable views to the outdoors. One office with a view was set aside as a break room so that employees who work in cubicles would have access to an outdoor view at least during lunch and breaks. Small birds occasionally flit in the tree just outside the break room window.
• Shade trees integrated into the parking lot area accommodate squirrels and other wildlife.
• A.R.E. is working with the building’s condo association and facility management to integrate green practices into the operations and maintenance of the building.

• Thanks to requests by A.R.E. and other businesses in the office building, a recycling program recently was implemented. The building’s maintenance staff collects used paper for recycling. A.R.E. is working to get other materials added to the recycling program.
• A.R.E. employees minimize the use of paper for internal needs by using electronic documents whenever feasible and printing on both sides of paper when they do print. For general office use, A.R.E. uses Green Seal-certified printer/copier paper containing 35% post-consumer recycled content.
• A.R.E. employees save energy by shutting off most electronics when they leave for the day.
• Telecommuting, a viable option for some employee positions, reduces the burning of fossil fuels.
• A.R.E. recycles its used printer cartridges and e-waste.

• Retail Environments magazine, the body of our Buyers’ Guide and Membership Directory, and other publications are now printed on 30% post-consumer waste fiber that carries third-party certifications, is processed elemental chlorine-free, and is manufactured using renewable energy.
• Beginning with the November/December 2008 issue, a digital version of Retail Environments magazine is now available.
• A.R.E.’s online member search enables buyers to access member information electronically.
• A digital version of A.R.E.’s Green Guide: Resources for Sustainable Retail Environments is available.
• Membership can be purchased and renewed online.
• A.R.E. publications can be ordered online.

• Alternate delivery methods of education: A.R.E. is looking toward vehicles such as webinars for some of its educational programs. The first A.R.E. University webinar took place Nov. 6, 2008.
• Catering alternatives: For on-site events, A.R.E. will be working with catering staff to exclude the use of water bottles and other disposables.
• Site selection: For on-site events, A.R.E. will be considering central, easily accessible locations and/or the use of green buildings when feasible.
• Registration: Online registration is provided for events.
• Promotions: While some use of print promotions are necessary, A.R.E. is relying more heavily on electronic promotions of its events and services.
• Event materials: Beginning with Convention 2008, A.R.E. has switched to the use of program binders containing 100% recycled chipboard and 95% post-consumer recycled content, with spine material containing 100% post-consumer content. Copies of PowerPoint presentations and follow-up evaluations were emailed to attendees rather than printed and included in the binder.

• Sharing your company news: Rather than mailing or faxing your press releases, email them to news@retailenvironments.org.
• Updating your company profile: Update your company information online.
• Renewing your membership: Renew online.
• Registering to attend an event: Register online.
• Requesting media kits: Access the media kit online.
• Subscribing to Retail Environments: Limit your magazine subscriptions to the number you need, pass the magazine along to others in your office, and encourage access to the digital version. You may need to add individuals to your company profile in order to obtain website access for them; remember that these individuals, despite being added to A.R.E.’s database, will not be published in the Buyers’ Guide and Membership Directory if designated as "unlisted" contacts. Recycle magazines you are no longer using.
• Educating your staff: Take advantage of A.R.E. University webinars as well as archived reports and presentations. Support our efforts to green our on-site events by recycling badges and other materials, and consider purchasing carbon offsets for your travel.
• Meeting your business needs: Take advantage of A.R.E. initiatives. Get involved in your association.