Green building and design continues to gain popularity in senior living, says a Houston Chronicle article highlighting two Houston-area communities that have applied eco-friendly measures in their day-to-day operations.
Residents at assisted living community Brazos Towers at Bayou Manor are conscious about energy consumption and what they put in the trash. The community provides containers for residents to recycle paper goods, which are then transferred to the community’s recycling center by a group of resident volunteers.
The community goes beyond recycling in its bid to be environmentally-friendly.
Previously called Bayou Manor, the community underwent a name change in 2011 following the announcement of a $70 million expansion. The community’s new section, a 14-story tower called Brazos Towers at Bayou Manor, will open sometime early next year, reports the Chronicle and is currently seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification—a green building standard that promotes environmentally-conscious design and construction.
Typically, LEED certified buildings have what is known as sustainable design, meant to reduce waste sent to landfills, conserve energy and water, and provide a healthier living environment for its occupants.
While the lure of LEED is not senior housing-specific, another Houston-area senior living community sees similar importance in maintaining a green building.
Eagle’s Trace is a senior living community in Houston practicing several green initiatives, such as the use of U.S. milled and manufactured flooring that contribute to particular LEED certifications. Additionally, when carpet at the community is replaced, it is recycled rather than taken to a landfill, the article notes.
The community encourages its residents to recycle plastics, glass and paper with the convenience of front-door pickup two days a week.
“It is important for us to be environmentally responsible to reduce our carbon footprint and be good stewards of the community and surrounding areas,” said Pamela Burgeson, the community’s director of sales and marketing, to the Houston Chronicle.
Read the Houston Chronicle article.
Written by Jason Oliva
