ASA's Eco-Friendly Practices

AIDS Services of Austin takes pride in creating green solutions to red issues. We installed solar panels on our roof in 2009. We recycle all electronics, batteries and ink cartridges. For over ten years we have worked with Ecology Action to recycle paper and aluminum waste, and we use paper towels made of recycled paper.

We now use only filtered water instead of purchasing water bottles, and our soda machine is low energy. We have updated most of our vehicles with late-model, energy efficient models, and our lawnmowers and Weed Eaters are electric instead of gas-powered. We use no pesticides and we use an organic pest control service.

Results from our move to solar power

In the first 12 months of having solar panels, ASA has greatly reduced our energy consumption from coal-burning power plants, saving 52,111 pounds, or over 26 tons, of Carbon Dioxide from entering our planet’s atmosphere. After just a year of solar power, we have recouped – after the $100,000 rebate from Austin Energy – about 20 percent of the solar panel purchase and installation costs. Better yet, because our generous donors underwrote the costs of the solar panels, our energy savings are going directly back to our services, a move that will save ASA an estimated $230,000 over 25 years (a return of nearly $10 for every dollar invested).

While we hope that there will no longer be a need for an AIDS service organization in 25 years, the need to preserve our environment will remain. From April 2009 to April 2010, the solar panels on our roof have had the same effect as planting 893 trees, or 45 acres of forest in local parks. Put another way, the solar panels have effectively removed about 45,000 vehicle miles from I-35 or MoPac in just one year.