President and Mrs. J. Bernard Machen have initiated a series of projects at the University of Florida President's House with the goal of converting the house into a model of sustainable living. Changes to maximize the efficiency of the house have been implemented through its daily operations and processes, including exterior site maintenance, water and energy use, waste management, and use of environmentally friendly cleaning products.
Certification initiatives already in place, or slated to begin at the UF President's House, include:
- Use of reclaimed water generated on UF's campus for irrigation
- A no smoking policy
- An environmentally friendly pest management and fertilizer policy
- Use of reduced Mercury light bulbs
- Use of Energy Star equipment and appliances (already in place is an Energy Star dishwasher; other appliances will be replaced with Energy Star as needed)
- Use of equipment with environmentally friendly refrigerant
- A butterfly garden to attract butterflies and birds to the backyard
- On-site composting
- Use of "Green Chemicals" for cleaning (Glance glass cleaner, Stride all purpose cleaner, etc.)
- Disposables (cups, plates, utensils) purchased from Eco-Products, a company that manufactures biodegradable disposables made out of corn. All paper plates and cups are made from 99.9% recycled paper and all utensils are compostable corn cutlery. Both products are completely biodegradable and compostable.
- When available to the house caterer, use of produce grown at local organic farms
- Exclusive use of VOC-free paint
- Changing A/C filters frequently
- An upgraded A/C system for energy efficiency and increased ventilation
- Elimination of annuals from landscape design and replacement with perennials
- Plants that are kept well-mulched to reduce watering frequency
- Reduced site disturbance (i.e. the wooded area in the back yard is maintained in its natural habitat)
- Development of an exit procedure checklist that includes adjusting thermostat to an energy-efficient level, making sure all lights are turned off and all windows are shut tightly