Located in historic downtown Dover, the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is known for their outstanding learning exhibits for kids, and the great time that families experience during their visits. But while the focus of the museum is on young minds, the Children’s Museum has instituted an impressive number of sustainability measures to ensure they’re protecting the communities they serve.
First and foremost, the Children’s Museum has partnered with Portsmouth-based Earthtec Outfitters – a clothing manufacturer and retailer specializing in clothing made from recycled plastic – to take the museum’s plastic recycling to a new level. Earthtec has provided the Children’s Museum with several eye-catching recycling containers for plastic bottles, and all plastic collected will be upcycled into fabric for shirts or other wearable items the Children’s Museum’s staff can use.
The Children’s Museum has also made judicious use of natural light and ventilation. When the organization renovated a former amory for its current location, it used the opportunity to drastically increase the natural sunlight and fresh air ventilating throughout the facility. A four-sided clerestory with automated windows was added to the top of the building; a glass addition was added to the back of the facility, and previously boarded-up windows were uncovered and fitted with new energy-efficient windows. As a result, the Children’s Museum is now a bright, inviting, “open space” concept with windows that can be opened any time to cool the temperatures during Summer, and warm things up during cooler moths with passive solar heat.
Additionally, the Children’s Museum creatively uses recycled and recyclable materials whenever possible. For example, an abundance of recycled and repurposed materials was used during construction, including:
• sanding and polishing original wood floors, rather than replacing them
• retaining much of the facility’s original woodwork, and other materials
• using flooring from a decommissioned mill in Manchester instead of purchasing new materials
• creating exhibits using donated materials and surplus supplies form other businesses
Moreover, the Children’s Museum continues to use a large percentage of recycled materials for its creative projects and classes. And the staff and visitors continue the green tradition by recycling paper, plastic, metals, and fabrics on a daily basis,
To further establish and promote its sustainability program, the Children’s Museum is now a member of the Green Alliance, a consumer co-operative that promotes sustainable commerce, and connects over 90 local green businesses and non-profits to the region’s burgeoning eco-conscious communities in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts.
Green Alliance members can take part in the fun by “saving” some of their own money, as families of 3 or more get one free admission to the Children’s Museum, as well as 20% off all the merchandise in the museum’s store. Green Alliance members also receive 10% off clothing at Earthec’s retail outlet stores in Portsmouth and North Conway.
Scott Szyche is Assistant Director at Green Alliance.
