The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum


Rock Hall's Green Initiatives

A Green Museum by a Blue Lake

For more than half a century, rock-and-rollers have used their art to proclaim their love and concern for the planet we all share. Artists and musicians around the globe (U2, R.E.M., Sting, Chrissie Hynde, and John Legend, among others) have created their own green initiatives.

It was only natural for the the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum  to join in.
For years the Museum has encouraged bus and Rapid use by employees.  It cut down on water use by installing motion-activated faucets in its public and employee washrooms and on paper towel waste with energy-saving Dyson Airblade hand dryers. It even set its nighttime logo projector to turn off at 2 a.m., after most downtown visitors have headed home to bed.
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Construction and Renovations

Library and Archives

The Museum’s commitment to the planet extended to its first new construction project since 1995. The Library and Archives built on the campus of Cuyahoga Community College was designed to be environmentally friendly: the materials used inside and out are from sustainable sources, and the water, heating, and cooling systems meet or exceed standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council. The agency is considering awarding the building with the LEED Silver status.

Museum Redesign

A long-term series of gradual renovations to the Museum itself began in summer 2009 and will continue through late 2011, all the while implementing green technology:

  • Installation of more energy-efficient electronics
  • LEDs replace standard electric and sodium light bulbs
  • Scraps and old fixtures from old exhibits are placed in collection bins and a local reclamation facility exchanges full containers for empties each week, sorting their contents for reusable or recyclable materials, including concrete, wood, gypsum wallboard, steel, masonry, plastic, cardboard, bricks, shingles, and carpet.

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Green Team

Volunteers from  six employee divisions investigate opportunities to institute even greener practices at the Rock Hall. Since the group was formed in early 2010, it has:

  • increased the number of recycling bins for aluminum, glass, and plastic in the Museum proper and the administrative offices.
  • switched to fair-trade coffee in the employee kitchen.
  • educated office staff about double-sided printing as a matter of course.
  • promoted the turning off of electronics and overhead lights when offices are empty.
  • replaced the plastic spoons and forks and Styrofoam cups in the employee kitchen with aluminum cutlery and stoneware mugs.
  • began a weekly “green tips” e-mail that advises other Rock Hall staffers about everything from the safest routes for bicycle commuters to which types of paper are accepted by the Museum’s recycling contractor.
  • began a partnership with Baldwin Wallace University Sustainability Program where students in the green business class evaluate the Museum's green strategy.