Recycling and Consumption Reduction
In 2022 Mia received a grant from the Frankenthaler Climate Initiative to replace several of the drive units in our rooftop air handling units. The new drives will increase the efficiency of Mia’s air handling and allow for more precise control of the already very precise temperature and humidity monitoring in Mia’s galleries and in the rest of the buildings.
The Mia grounds crew is researching better-connected timers for the irrigation systems on Mia grounds and is also replacing gas powered tools like leaf blowers with more sustainable battery powered units.
Additional waste-reduction efforts include:
Single-stream recycling for staff and visitors: Single-stream, or commingled, recycling of plastic, glass, and metal increases recycling participation.
Composting for staff and visitors: Mia added organics composting bins next to recycling bins in staff break rooms and public cafe areas.
Digital annual report: Since 2010, Mia has published its annual report electronically to save printing costs, reduce waste, and reach a global audience.
Art in Bloom composting: Since 2010, Mia has made composting bags available to florists after Art in Bloom, the museum’s annual springtime event that brings hundreds of floral displays into the galleries and public spaces. In 2011, Mia sent 2,700 pounds of compost to our waste hauler’s industrial-size compost pile.
Technotrash: Because electronic waste is potentially much more damaging to the environment than conventional waste when burned or landfilled, Mia offers bins for staff and volunteers to recycle CDs, DVDs, tape media, old cell phones, and other small electronics.
Computer recycling: Computers, monitors, and printers at Mia are recycled when they’re replaced.
Electronic communications for the board of trustees and staff: Mia saves thousands of pages of paper each year by sending meeting notices and other communications electronically instead of printing them.
Filtered water instead of water coolers: Mia has installed five reverse-osmosis water filtration systems in common areas for staff drinking water, reducing the need for five-gallon water coolers throughout staff areas.