Asbury Methodist Village–A Model of Sustainability

Asbury Methodist Village–Not Your Typical Retirement Community

ASBURY METHODIST VILLAGE–A MODEL OF SUSTAINABILITY
Being the Greenest DJ in America, a title given him by Earth Day Network, Cerphe has the opportunity to meet environmental leaders and tour earth-friendly facilities on a regular basis.

Recently, our friend John Friedman (who writes about sustainability as a business strategy for Huffington Post) invited Eco Planet Radio to tour Asbury Methodist Village in Gaithersburg, MD.  He thought it might impress us.  He was right.

John Friedman, Contributing Writer, Huffington Post

Thanks to a partnership with Sodexo, a company specializing in sustainable quality-of-life solutions, Asbury Methodist Village is an eco-friendly and surprisingly cheery retirement community of charming courtyard homes, quaint villas and snazzy apartments for the senior set.  Since 2009, Sodexo has helped Asbury Communities, a system of five continuing-care retirement centers in various locations across the U.S., save more than $1.7 million on gas, electricity and water, freeing up funds for care.   Asbury also offers assisted living suites, skilled nursing residences, memory support and rehabilitation therapy services.

We spoke with Sodexo and Asbury team members about sustainable initiatives ranging from LED lighting, Meatless Mondays and water conservation to wilderness preservation, air quality and natural-gas powered lawn mowers.  The ecological improvements they’ve fit seamlessly into this 86-year old facility are inspiring.  There was also an unexpected surprise–an onsite TV studio.  Now that’s a first.

Check out Cerphe’s video and interviews below to learn directly from the people who’ve made Asbury Methodist Village a fantastic model of sustainability and quality of life.

TIP!  To prevent an audio mash up–press the stop button on the player at right (it’s the square button on the bottom of the station player) before engaging the media below.

David Denton, Executive Director of Asbury Methodist Village talks about environmental aspects of the Gaithersburg, Maryland facility

Gene Benton, Area General Manager Sodexo Senior Living explains the partnership between Asbury Methodist Village and Sodexo

Lance Connolly, Director of Environmental Services for Sodexo, talks about how he and his team helped Asbury Methodist Village save more than one million gallons of water last year

(L to R) David Denton and Gene Benton Review Plans for Asbury’s Natural Gas Vehicle