PLANET

Energy Conservation

• Zero incandescent bulbs in the building, all tube fluorescents decreased from 45 to 25 watts;
• 120,114 kwh saved through switching to primarily LEDs (204, 194 lbs CO2 annual savings);
• New marquee using only 9% of original energy;
• Energy Star Dishwasher, average of 10% higher energy efficiency and 12% water efficiency (http://1.usa.gov/hypwhR )

Reusing/Recycling/Conserving

• Recycled 65.86% of our construction waste (*through July);
• Set up organics recycling for the building (via Eureka);
• Donation of unwanted furniture and technology

1.   10 CPUs, 9 monitors, 2 printers, a fax machine, and various peripherals to PCs for People (http://pcsforpeople.org/);
2.   a piano to Keys 4/4 Kids (http://www.keys44kids.com/);
3.   150 chairs to El-Amin Restaurant (http://www.efishhouse.com/);
4.   60 chairs to Salvation Army (http://thesalarmy.org/);

• Purchased reusable glassware;
• Chose a recycler with less than 2% residual rate providing monthly reporting for extra monitoring and measurement;
• Intentional choice of paper and cleaning products

1.   Bathroom towels and tissues: 100% recycled, EcoLogo and GreenSeal certified products from Tork.
2.   Soap and dishwasher cleaning: Ecolab’s Keystone cleaning product line is non-toxic, non-combustible, safe for aquatic life, has less than 1% VOC levels,  contains no Chlorine, NPE, EDTA, or NTA; free of known carcinogens and reproductive hazards; packaging material represents less than 4% of total product weight; Ingredients greater than 100 ppm when diluted for use are readily biodegradable

• Greenseal  certified glass and multi–purpose cleaner from Johnson Diversey;
• Compostable trash bags;
• Low VOC paint throughout the whole building;
• Low VOC water based adhesive to mount the panels in the ETC
• 100% recyclable, completely PVC-free carpet (XX square feet)

PEOPLE

Project 824
Brave New Workshop’s Project 824 reflects the company’s longstanding spirit of service and citizenship and its owners’ philanthropic commitment. As part of the initiative, the BNW offers the Experimental Thinking Centre (ETC) event venue free of charge to local and global community organizations, causes, individuals and social enterprises that aim to showcase innovative ideas and contribute to humanity’s ability to solve pressing problems and create a better world. BNW’s Project 824 is named as such not only in reference to the physical address of the Brave New Workshop and ETC venues, but as a bold commitment to use the space in this manner for at least 824 events.
    
We are proud to announce that we already have four Project 824 events on the books!

• Green Drinks with Brian Dougherty of Celery Design Collaborative http://www.celerydesign.com/  (Oct 12) This is event will be available to the public in a live webcast form
• Net Impact Minneapolis with Darren McGann and Rob Swan featuring Project 2041 http://www.2041.com/ (Oct 25). This event will be available to the public both live and in a live webcast form.
• MHTA Women Leading Technology (Oct 26)
• United Way Women Investing in the Next Generations (WINGS) non-profit granting ceremony https://www.unitedwaytwincities.org/giving_communities/wings/ (Nov 8). This is a private event.

Sustainability in Theater Conference

• April 30-May 1, 2012 ETC
• Leading a local movement and increasing collaboration in the local theater industry
• Bringing the best of global thought virtually- UK, CA etc.
• Practical hands-on approach to solving common problems

Intentional Choice of Vendors

• Cleaning company: Building Resources (90% full-time employees provided with health insurance, over time, bonus pay, and professional development opportunities)
• Recycler: Eureka Recycling (self-sustainable non-profit organization, leader in the movement to eliminate waste)
• Caterers: Common Roots, Chow Girls, Thyme to Entertain, D’Amico, Never Enough Thyme, CRAVE, Mintahoe, Muddy Paws Cheesecake, Joseph Catering (local food options and local brands)

Community brainstorming design sessions
Engaged various stakeholders, from audience goers, to neighborhood residents and business owners, to corporate clients and non-profit partners to generate ideas around the use of the building, its technology and sustainability features. Generated close to 4000 unique ideas.

PROFIT

• Self-funding arts organization committed to helping people be their best selves
• The more we do, the more you laugh, the more you grow, personally and professionally.
• Webcasting capabilities to enable virtual communication/collaboration.
• A new revenue stream (corporate rentals) to solve bandwidth issues and change current unsustainable lifestyle for BNW’s leaders.
• Maintaining two locations and increasing employment opportunities beyond current staff.