Welcome to Devens A community striving for sustainability

Welcome to Devens

A community striving for sustainability

Devens History Fort Devens served as Army's New England

Headquarters for 79 years; closed 1996 7,000 jobs lost, Superfund site designation Land conveyed to MassDevelopment, a quasi-public

economic development agency 4,400 acres 1,400 permanently protected

Devens Today 5.4 million sq. ft. developed 4,700 jobs created Approximately 80 businesses

70% small-medium sized (< 300 employees) Mostly industrial – manufacturing, distribution

Ensuring Sustainable Growth “… achieving a balance of economic, social, and

environmental needs, while maintaining and enhancing the natural resource base.” - Re-use Plan

Reuse incentives, LEED certification fee-bate Low-impact development techniques Promotion of sustainable business practices

Devens - an Eco-Industrial Park “…a community of manufacturing and

service businesses located together on a common property. Member businesses seek enhanced environmental, economic, and social performance through collaboration in managing environmental and resource issues.

Eco-Industrial Park Handbook, www.indigodev.com

Devens Eco-Efficiency Center Provides services that help businesses and

non-profit organizations gain economic and environmental efficiencies EcoStar program Educational workshops Networking roundtables Field trips Technical assistance

Services Provided Transportation:

Rideshare program, delivery partners

Energy: Conservation campaigns, efficiency audits

Waste: Reduction strategies, recycling programs

The Great Exchange! Started as a one-time event, attendees shared

materials with reuse potential or their wish list 6 months: ~200 tons of “waste” diverted and

$64,000+ in operational costs avoided Now numerous weekly exchanges taking place Statewide participation

Waste Turns to Art Art paper Dipping cups CD canisters Foam disks Plastic jars, covers Half-gallon jugs 10-gallon pails Fabric scraps Styrofoam blocks

First Wednesday of month = Treasure Day

Packed and Re-packed Collected for reuse annually:

2,000,000 elastics 250,000 foam packing sheets 5,000 3’ x 5’ plastic bags 3,500 “gallons” bubble wrap 1,000 cloth bags 500 small boxes 100 triple-ply gaylords 15 large bags of “peanuts”

A Good Mix One-time exchange of plastic bags led to

weekly collection of 3’ x 5’ plastic bags Used gaylords Shrink wrap 5-gallon pails Liquid dispensers Product that can’t be sold Mis-sized boxes MCI Shirley Prison

Future Programs EcoStar Exchange online Organics composting Promotion of Zero Waste

Thank You

Dona Neely, Executive DirectorDevens Eco-Efficiency Center978-772-8831 x3304donaneely@ecostardevens.com