Sustainable Management

Brambleton Community Association prides itself on being a steward of the environment and managing the community resources in sustainable manner that will benefit the residents, community, and overall environment. The Association received a gold certification in the Green Business Challenge hosted by Loudoun County and the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce. The Association continuously looks for ways to operate in a more sustainable manner. Below are examples of action that BCA has taken to become a more sustainable community.

Administration, Communication & Education

  • In general, BCA strives to operate in a manner that considers practical and effective actions that are in the best interest of the environment and association. This approach has resulted in an environmentally conscious operation and administration.
  • The use of WebEx or other similar services is encouraged for meetings where reasonable.
  • Telecommuting by Association staff is an available option.
  • BCA communications to its residents are primarily electronic. All weekly e-bulletins, monthly newsletters and other general notices are sent electronically via email through the community website and Facebook. This cuts down on the use and cost associated with paper, postage and related waste.
  • BCA staff regularly includes environmentally-focused educational articles in its newsletters.
  • BCA staff has a Green Team that educates staff on ways to become more environmentally friendly.
  • Vehicles with increased fuel MPG are being considered by the Association when purchasing. Hybrid and electric cars will be considered for next company purchased vehicle.

Grounds & Facilities

  • BCA incorporates the use of non-phosphorous fertilizers on its common areas.
  • Association staff gives back to the larger Loudoun environmental community by being involved with Keep Loudoun Beautiful and adopting the Beaverdam Reservoir for cleanup and upkeep on a regular basis.
  • Replants dead non-native shrubs and trees with landscape materials native to the region.
  • The BCA dog waste stations reduce the levels of nitrogen from local streams.
  • Goose Rangers K9 services reduces the amount of waste and nitrogen that originates in Brambleton.
  • BCA encourages residents to use non-phosphorous fertilizers on their lawns.
  • Brambleton marks all the storm drains as a way to reduce illegal dumping down the drains and educate the residents.
  • The sand left over from the winter storms is swept and collected on all Brambleton streets; VDOT and community-owned. This reduces the amount of sediment that ends up in the waterways.
  • A pond aeration system was installed in SWMP #2 as a way to reduce the amount of algae in the pond; and reduce the amount of chemicals used to treat the algae.
  • BCA uses CFL and LED bulbs at many of its facilities.
  • All BCA owned facilities are equipped with programmable thermostats.
  • Copiers are set to go into energy saving mode after 10 minutes of non-use.
  • Water heaters at BCA facilities are set at 110 degrees.
  • Green cleaning chemicals are used at all of the BCA facilities. In 2012, BCA will require its pool management contractor to do the same.
  • Post-consumer products are used at the office, community buildings and pools when possible.
  • Energy Star appliances are used at all of the BCA Facilities.
  • Approximately 20% of the energy used at Beacon Crest Pool is renewable energy.

Trash & Recycling

  • BCA provided single-stream recycling to its residents for ease of recycling (once weekly).
  • BCA supplies 32, 64 and 96-gallon recycling toters to all residents to encourage greater recycling volume. This action doubled the amount of trash that is recycled in each household.
  • RecycleBank incentive program is available to all BCA residents at no extra cost.
  • BCA provides yard debris collection (once weekly) to all its residents as a way to reduce illegal dumping of yard debris in the storm drains and natural areas.
  • Recycling bins are available at all BCA facilities.
  • Recycling has been incorporated into all BCA events.
  • More than thirty pet stations are located throughout the community for residents to properly dispose of dog waste.
  • Non-functioning CFL bulbs used on the property are properly disposed of at local collection sites.
While routine inspections are performed on BCA facilities, the Association relies on all residents as well to report any concerns or deficiencies on the common area.