Green Initiative YW 
 Green Initiative YW  Free Color Clipart Picture of a Recycle Bin with Glass and Paper Inside
"Today's globalized world has witnessed increased poverty, violence, crime and environmental degradation, and women have been disproportionately affected.  We must act now to secure economic justice for all human beings, and a stable healthy environment for the next generation...."           

                                                                -World YWCA
In early 2008, the Green Campaign YW Initiative partnered with local and national recycling agencies.  By implementing sustainable business practices we weave environmental responsibilities into daily business practices into the rich tapestry of non-profit businesses like ours.  The YWCA reduced landfill waste by 85% with a focus on paper and cardboard recycling programs.  The YWCA is also committed to reducing our carbon footprint by executing habit changes detrimental to conservation. 

In 2009 the YWCA hosted a Energy Awareness Event with ABC27 news.  The highlight of this event showcased energy awareness, conservation, and grant application assistance for low-income families within the neighboring YWCA community to Green their homes.  Imagine, a grant to replace old windows and doors, install insulation, and replace low-efficiency heating systems!

  Green practices are also good news for the bottom line of a non-profit business like ours.  Becoming environmentally friendly requires little investment and simple practices can save a lot of green$.  We are currently developing new green practices by integrating positive habits for the staff and residents of the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg.  Leading others to take action in reusing, reducing and recycling needs commitment, yet the rewards are good for everyone.

  The YWCA now recycles approximately 85% of all office paper, nearly 100% of all cardboard and co-mingle (cans, bottle and plastics).  Recycling office paper is equivalent to saving 24 trees per ton of office paper (Conservatree). 

 

If every household in the U.S. replaced just one roll of 120 sheet virgin fiber paper towels with 100% recycled ones, we could save: 1 million trees, 2.6 million cubic feet of landfill space (equal to over 3,800 full garbage trucks), 367 million gallons of water (a year's supply for 2,800 families of four), and avoid 38,000 tons of pollution. And because these towels are unbleached and have not been treated with chlorine, you can safely compost them in your garden when you're done using them (Seventh Generation). 

To donate green products or volunteer to help the YWCA Green Initiative please contact Rebecca Balog at 717.234.7931 or rbalog@ywcahbg.org.

Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children.                                   -American Indian Proverb