Case Study  

Company: Space Needle

Business Sector: Public Venue

Published: July 2008

Highlights:

• Increased capture rate of recyclables from 16.8 percent in 2007 to 53.0 percent by mid 2008.
• Installed compact fluorescent bulbs throughout the base resulting in an average 3.85 kilowatts savings per hour.
• Installed energy-efficient light fixtures in a 24-hour stairwell resulting in 13,560 kilowatt-hours savings per year.
• Installation of state of the art hot water and plumbing system in the top house reduced energy usage by an estimated 30 percent.
• Bottled Water at SkyCity, the Space Needle's revolving restaurant, has been replaced with high quality filtered water, reducing the carbon footprint.
• Green cleaning products have replaced toxic chemicals used by janitorial services.
• Grease interceptors at all kitchen sinks separate grease from the sewer system. The grease is then recycled.
• Water saving aerators and sprayers have been installed, reducing flow rates to 0.5 gpm at hand sinks and 0.6 gpm at kitchen pot sinks.

Background

Built in 1961 for the World's Fair, the Space Needle is now an international symbol of Seattle. A destination for local residents as well as tourists from around the globe, the Space Needle is a high profile building that stands as an extension of the culture of the city.  

Going Green

As an iconic figure in an established "green" city like Seattle, Space Needle Facilities Supervisor, Michael Geiger felt it time to utilize his personal ethic to conserve energy and reduce waste to enact a greening program for the building.

After hearing a presentation from Resource Venture staff, Michael felt he had the tools and information necessary to move forward. The Space Needle worked to create a greener workplace by expanding recycling collection to include paper, plastics, cans, bottles, glass, and compost. In addition, they have retrofitted the building with compact fluorescent lighting, LED exit sings, a new hot water system and several new energy-efficient light fixtures. More upgrades are targeted over the next year.

Expanded Commingled Recycling Program                                                                                       

Starting in November of 2007, the Space Needle switched from a glass only recycling program to a commingled program including paper, plastics, cans, and metals in their back of house areas. The Space Needle received staff training from Resource Venture and added new collection containers and signage. The building also switched from non-recyclable Styrofoam cups to compostable cups in employee break rooms. A front-of-house recycling program is being launched on the Observation Deck in August, 2008. The same will follow in Retail and outside grounds using successful aspects of the program on the Observation Deck.

Food Waste Collection

Each year, the Space Needle closes for two weeks for repairs and cleaning. During this period in February of 2008, the entire kitchen staff was trained and rolled out a commercial compost collection program. In the first few months of the program, the kitchen staff has been able to divert 5.2 tons of food waste from the waste stream per month, or 16.1 percent of the waste stream. The expanded commingled recycling program coupled with the addition of food waste collection has increased the recycling capture rate for the building from 16.8 percent in 2007 to 53.0 percent in 2008.

Energy Conservation

The facilities team at the Space Needle went through a strategic upgrade of existing equipment for more energy efficient technologies. Upgrades include:

• Compact fluorescent bulbs have replaced incandescent bulbs in 70 fixtures resulting in energy savings of 55 watts per fixture or 3.85 kilowatts per hours overall.
• T5 fluorescent bulbs in Energy Star rated electronic ballasts have replaced cold cathode lights in Space Base, providing greater illumination and 25 percent energy savings.
• Energy Star LED exit signs have replaced old technology exit signs, resulting in 64 percent energy savings. 
• Energy-efficient light fixtures were installed in the part of the core stairwell resulting in 86 percent energy savings. These are 24-hour fixtures, resulting in 13,560 kilowatt-hours of savings per year. 
• Installation of a new hot water system design in the upper house, including all new plumbing and state of the art hot water pipe insulation, has resulted in an estimated 30 percent improvement in energy efficiency for the system. Energy saving improvements in the boiler water system include the following:
• A smart digital controller "anticipates" hot water demand characteristics and fine tunes burn time for peak efficiency, eliminating a second boiler during low demand and both boilers during no demand.
• Cooled-off returning hot water is routed through the holding tank before it reaches the boilers, reducing heat loss.
• The exhaust fan for the boilers has been programmed to cycle off when not required.

Elimination of Bottled Water at SkyCity

Perhaps the most innovative of the "green" updates is the Space Needle's new water system at SkyCity at the Needle, the icon's renowned revolving restaurant. Having done away completely with bottled water, SkyCity is leading the way for other large-volume restaurants. While the Seattle area is already fortunate to be surrounded by excellent natural water sources -only 35 parts per million total dissolved solids (PPM)- the Space Needle is challenging this standard by using the highest quality filtered water. This water system was custom designed by Custom Pure to produce water with zero parts per million of total dissolved solids. All water and ice served in the restaurant are filtered using this system. Both still and sparkling filtered water are now offered to guests, resulting in glass and delivery fuel savings.

Green Cleaning Program

Metropolitan Building Maintenance has implemented its Green Cleaning Program within the Needle, using only environmentally-gentle and sustainable cleaning products and techniques. Alpha HP, an all-in-one, environmentally-friendly multi-surface cleaner with low levels of hydrogen peroxide, is being used in all areas of the Needle. This innovative product is Green Seal certified and meets Green Seal's environmental standard for industrial and institutional cleaners. Additionally, no carcinogens are added. It is non-combustible and contains low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) content, making it much safer for both the environment and for those using the product.

Dishwashing Grease Interceptors

Grease interceptors have been installed in three different kitchens (cost: $40,000) to separate all grease from dish and pot washing, preventing contamination of the sewer system. The grease is then recycled.

Low Flow Rate Sprayers and Aerators

Through Puget Sound Energy's Retrofit Program, new sprayers have been installed on the three kitchen pot sinks, reducing the previous "low flow rate" of 2.2 gpm to 0.6 gpm. New faucet aerators have also been installed on 24 sinks throughout the building, reducing those flow rates from 2.2 gpm to 0.5 gpm.

Want to learn more?

Contact Resource Venture at 206-343-8505 or help@resourceventure.org