LIVE Green and be educated about it in Plano

LIVE Green in Plano

What a great motto and tagline for a city in North Texas.

In keeping with that motto, the City of Plano funded $1.7 million to create a environmental education center through their Sustainability department (formally the Environmental Waste department). They started construction April 2010 and opened October 2011. A 2600 square feet facility with two cisterns. One 2000 gallon cistern in front was beautifully decorated with mosaic tile donated by a local company. The water is used for irrigation and toilets. Plano is currently in Stage 4 water restrictions but they hope to install native landscaping from the Texas Smartscape.

The center has 54 solar panels and a 60 foot wind turbine that was provided with an EPA grant. The solar panels and wind turbine create all the electricity they need. The center also has a living roof. They have one solar panel that is specific for heating water. 32,000 kWh has been created since the opening and only 27,650 kWh used.

ICF

The floor is concrete mixed with fly ash. Fly ash is the biproduct from coal mines. Tables and chairs are made with recycled material. Lights are on motion sensers and the low e windows face south and east. SIP panel roof (R49) and SIP like walls with concrete ICF (R55) that creates a tight air building. Energy Recovery System was installed when there is too much Co2.

Lights have motion detecters. They are able to open the windows to create a cross breeze when its nice.

Demonstrates the energy efficiencies for heating/cooling of a house

The center is installing a Discovery Garden to educate kids, a butterfly garden and a tunnel to crawl through like a worm. The City of Plano is serious about educating all citizens about sustainability. When they have events at the center, they require zero waste. All food product goes to the City of Plano's compost. Did I mention the City of Plano has a compost?? Central Market in Fort Worth wants to do a compost and the City of Fort Worth won't let them.....yet. 

Photos provided by: Amari Roskelly