Environmentally Sustainable DKR?

bykaybee26

85 followers

Updated 5 years ago

My husband and I want to build a Whiskey Bar that is environmentally sustainable. It will be called DKR. Our idea of 'environmentally sustainable' includes being powered by renewable resources (solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, ...anything else?); implementing recycle, re-use, and reduce policies; getting off the water grid (Net Zero Water Project); having a roof-top garden; and partnering with local community food banks.

Basically, the fascade of the bar will be a chic local drinking spot, but behind the scenes will be an operation of renewable efficiency. My personal goal is to develop an operation with NO WASTE at all.

Is it possible?

Solar panels, batteries and converter packs are expensive set ups. As are wind turbines and panels. However, the alternative of using gasoline and coal to power our society is just as expensive, only more to the environment than our pockets. Solar and wind powered buildings supply there own energy, so relying on outside supplies of gas and oil will not be an issue. Therefore, the initial expense of renewable technology is dismissed by its function. Carbon emissions are also dismissed as renewable resources do not emit excess amounts of dangerous gases into the environment. Essentially, the amount of money spent on the gas bill will be switched to cover the loan needed for solar and wind power, but after the loan is paid that bill will go away altogether. DKR will be able to power itself.

Recycling, re-using, and reducing the amount of waste we generate should be a standard way of life. My husband does not believe there can be such thing as no waste, but I give the example of nature. Nature is able to reuse every particle necessary for life, and what is left plants the ground that we walk on. I believe, since man is a part of nature, that we can manage our lifestyles considering the 3 R's and if not produce no waste, at least produce less. That will be a key factor of DKR.

The University of Miami is developing a unique low-energy water treatment system incorporating science and technology to turn waste-water into drinking water. They have a system that they plan on using at one of the dormorities in the college. They are also studying the social reaction to their plan, and trying to learn what will motivate people to adopt a net-zero water system. I am motivated now, and would love to promote their research, and in turn use their technology to supply fresh drinking water to DKR.

Roof top gardens are all the rage across Washington D.C. at the moment. I have worked as a bartender/server for several roof-top events in the city, and I love the idea. Winter is no good in D.C. and summers are humid, but now that I have moved to San Diego, CA where the weather is perfect 99% of the time, a roof-top garden sounds like the right idea.

Especially one that supplies food for the local community. The roof-top garden will supply food for DKR, but it will also supply nutrients for non-profit organizations across the city that are helping the homeless and unfortunate survive. Being a part of the community is essential for sustainability. Therefore, it will be a major factor of DKR.

Sorry, if that was a lot, but I wanted to get these ideas off my head, and I would love to hear other opinions on the topic. What else should we think about doing to make DKR environmentally sustainable? Are the ideas we have any good? Do you think its possible?