What Makes the Getty Green?
Over the last seven years, we have cut water use for irrigation by 33 percent and reduced energy consumption by 10 percent, for a total savings of $500,000 a year. And that's not all:
- A herd of goats comes to the Center each spring to clear brush and reduce fire danger on the hillside. The Getty recycles an additional 357 tons of green waste that the goats don't eat!
- Carpool/vanpool programs and extensive alternative transportation incentives reduce employee trips. Last year, the J. Paul Getty Trust was nationally recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation as one of the "Best Workplaces for Commuters" for providing excellent commuter benefits to staff.
- The Getty recycles 148 tons of general waste and 47 tons of construction waste; in all, the Getty recycles half its total waste.
- Staff uses high-recycled content paper products; Getty offices are stocked with reusable glass and china, rather than disposable cups and plates.
- Cafes, the Restaurant, and the coffee carts offer "low-carbon" menu items, minimizing the greenhouse gas emissions from producing, processing, packaging, and shipping food.
- The design of the Getty Center maximizes the use of natural light.
- Thousands of incandescent lights have been replaced with compact fluorescent lamps that use nearly 80 percent less electricity; exit signs were updated with LED lamps that have a long life and use little energy.
- Lighting schedules were reduced in buildings when no staff or visitors were present; lighting on the lower levels of the parking structure are timed to coincide with the later arrival of cars on the lower levels.
- The Getty Center uses efficient irrigation techniques and more drought tolerant plants.
- Air filtration systems remove high levels of particulate inside the buildings.
- Underground parking reduces heat islands on site.
- Lushly planted "green roofs" over offices and parking structures reduce heat below.
- Maintenance personnel receive 24 hours of training annually, and use low-impact cleaning and pest management practices.
- The Getty Center limits sound levels to reduce noise pollution; outdoor lighting is shielded to minimize light pollution in the night sky.
