Sustainability

Creating a More Sustainable Community

Being located near the scenic beauty of Cayuga Lake and the other Finger Lakes of upstate New York inspires a sense of awe and a desire to protect and preserve the natural world.

Kendal at Ithaca’s deeply rooted values serve as a guide towards more sustainable practices that benefit our environment and planet. As responsible stewards of our environment, we create outdoor spaces that are more inviting for people and animals, promote recycling efforts and support ongoing education through lectures, strategic planning and resident-led committee work.

Making it Easier to be Green

At Kendal at Ithaca, we are passionate about creating an eco-friendly environment for residents and staff. Part of that work includes serving on the board of Senior Stewards Acting for the Environment (SSAFE) to create ideas that will benefit the community. Through our involvement with SSAFE and our own Sustainability Committee, we’ve had great success with numerous sustainability programs that contribute to the broader US climate movement.

• Energy audit to identify ways to reduce use of electricity consumption
• Creation of two pollinator gardens
• Restoring bird habitat and outdoor recreation space for residents
• Reducing use of herbicides and insecticides
• Creating low-mow areas on campus
• Introducing electric mowers and other eco-friendly tools
• Installation of a charger for electric vehicles

It Takes All of Us

Recycling, reducing and reusing is a community-wide initiative at Kendal at Ithaca. Residents and staff work together to reduce, reuse and recycle everyday items. Recently, the Recycling Committee at Kendal at Ithaca collected over one ton of film plastic with the ultimate goal of keeping plastic out of landfills. Collectively, our committee work encompasses a variety of initiatives from composting to clothing exchanges.

• Composting: Yard and food waste is composted at our community to be used in our gardens.
• Electronics: We recycle electronics such as media players, computers, cables, printers and batteries.
• Recycling: Cans, bottles, glass, paper/cardboard and plastic film are all collected and recycled.
• Reusing: Plastic collected on campus is converted into decking and furniture, including weatherproof benches featured around campus
• Free Clothing Exchange: Donations of new or gently used clothing are free for residents and staff. 
• The Free Table: Residents and staff can donate small items and take anything they can use from our Free Table.
• Fabric Recycling:  Worn fabrics such as old towels and clothing are used for crafts and other projects.