The Center for Interfaith Relations is going green! CIR is taking steps to reduce our environmental footprint. We believe that all life is sacred, and that it is the responsibility of each of us to protect and care for the health and well-being of all living beings. We also believe in the deep interconnections that exist in this great web of life, and that what we do to our planet, and to our neighbor, we also do to ourselves. In recognizing this, we have decided to redefine “business as usual.”

In 2014, the Center for Interfaith Relations has taken the following steps to reduce our environmental footprint, and improve the health and well-being of our community:

SOLAR-POWERED WEB HOSTING

In April 2014, CIR launched its new website, www.centerforinterfaithrelations.org/cir/. At the same time, the Center made the transition to a 100% solar-powered, carbon-free web hosting company. AISO’s data center and offices are powered by on-site solar panels with two arrays that generate their electricity, and eliminate the production of harmful emissions. EPA estimates more than 34,000 pounds of CO2, 50.6 pounds of Nitrogen Oxide, and 37.4 pounds of Sulfate are reduced annually as a result of AISO’s on-site solar panel system. CIR is proud to support companies that share our environmental vision.

ZERO-WASTE EVENTS

At the 2014 Festival of Faiths, CIR introduced a zero-waste event policy. In partnership with QRS Recycling and Feed the Dirt, CIR collected and diverted 875 pounds of compostable material, and 225 pounds of recyclable material that would have otherwise been sent to the landfill. We would like to thank QRS Recycling, Feed the Dirt, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Milkwood, and all those who attended the Festival for helping us to make this Festival zero-waste! The Center is committed to implementing a zero-waste policy for all future events.

RECYCLED CONTENT PAPER

We live in an increasingly digital world. In the past few years, CIR has transitioned much of its marketing and outreach to the web, electronic mail, and social media. While we are committed to reducing the amount of paper that we consume, we are also committed to creating high-quality, professional publications that support and promote our work. The Center has adopted a policy of printing on 100% post-consumer waste, 100% recycled, processed chlorine-free paper. In 2014, we have transitioned our publications to meet this standard.

FARM-TO-TABLE & KENTUCKY PROUD

Fresh, local and sustainable ingredients support our health and well-being, as well as the health and well-being of our land. In addition, Kentucky Proud and locally sourced ingredients ensure that we are supporting our local farmers by helping to create an economy that is stable and sustainable. We believe that the health of the people is inextricable linked to the health of our planet, including the health of our land. As an organization, we are committed to doing our part to support local farmers, reduce the overall environmental impact associated with sourcing food for our events (transportation, chemicals, water, etc.), and promote healthy communities.