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Going Green at the Lafayette Health Club
Article written by Sustainable Lafayette based on an interview with Debbie Swigert, the owner of the Lafayette Health Club

Challenge
Debbie Swigert started the Lafayette Health Club all the way back in 1981 with a small studio space. Since then the LHC has grown into a much larger full service club with 550 members utilizing a wide range of classes, exercise equipment, weights, locker rooms, and showers. Along with all the growth came higher energy costs, more waste, and lots and lots of laundry. “As the club has grown we’ve felt an increasing responsibility to be good stewards of the planet. There is so much unnecessary waste! And running this business is costly, so we’re always looking for ways to save money. Luckily, protecting the environment and saving money often go hand-in-hand!”
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Debbie has also been affected by several friends that have had cancer in the past few years. It prompted her to think more about what our bodies are exposed to that may not be healthy. “I started looking at lotions and realized that many of them have potentially harmful ingredients that our bodies absorb. Our skin is our largest organ! I realized that we need to be concerned about lotions, suntan lotions, hair spray, cleaners and anything else that our bodies are exposed to.” Debbie added that as a “health club” it is imperative for them to provide a truly healthy environment for their members.


Solution Details
The Lafayette Health Club has implemented a wide array of initiatives to reduce waste, save money, and create a healthy environment.

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Switched to green cleaning supplies – Debbie met the owners of Chartreuse cleaning products in Lafayette right before Christmas and decided to begin using their products for all of her cleaning needs, including wiping the exercise machines between uses. “It made so much sense for us to use green cleaning products and laundry detergents. It costs a little more, but it’s worth it. We are so excited about the Chartreuse products that we are now selling them at our front desk.”

Conserving water – The LHC switched to low flow shower heads and low flow toilets. They also posted signs throughout the club encouraging members to conserve water (shorter showers, using fewer towels, etc.).

Conserving energy – LHC tries to use fans as much as possible, to reduce the use of air conditioning. Replaced all of the windows upstairs with new double pain windows. Posted signs to encourage members to turn off lights when not in use.

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Promoting use of re-usable water bottles – The LHC began providing filtered water around the club, selling re-usable stainless steel water bottles at the front desk, and discouraging use of plastic water bottles.

Started recycling services – The LHC started commercial recycling services and has signs and containers around the club for collecting recyclables.

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Became a CSA drop-off – When one of their pilates teachers (Bridget McCarthy) found out that EatWell Farms (a CSA based in Dixon) was looking for a drop-off location in Lafayette, she volunteered the club. The LHC has now been a drop-off location for about 18 months. Every Friday, boxes of fresh produce are dropped off for 25 subscribers in Lafayette. The club keeps track of who has picked up their boxes, etc. at the front desk.

Educating members – The LHC started a “Going Green” section in their email newsletter with tips on going green, and encouraging members to walk and ride their bikes to the club to ease parking demands.

Utilized eco-friendly paint - The LHC just painted their entire downstairs with eco-friendly paints.


Instructors and members agree that the club has made a dramatic change in the past two years to reduce its environmental footprint and develop a culture of sustainability. Debbie is looking forward to making even more green upgrades in the future.



Informational Links
Lafayette Health Club
Chartreuse Products
EatWell Farms (a CSA that delivers to Lafayette)


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