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June 29, 2011

Fisker and EVConnect Partner on Charging Infrastructure




EVConnecty logo 

 EV Connect, provider of EV charging solutions and Fisker Automotive, maker of EV cars are partnering to bring the EV infrastructure to Fisker owners.

" ... EV Connect will install and service electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) for Kar

Fisker logo

ma owners and 47 Fisker dealerships throughout the United States and Canada, ..."

EVConnect will start the process of installing a EVConnect charger for Fisker buyers ... at home or at work.  EV Connect is also will be " ... the turnkey infrastructure solution for Karma, ..." handling the logistics and permitting and being the point of contact for the EVSE - including maintenance of the charging equipment..

 

Via:  Fisker Automotive LINK

May 10, 2011

Whole Foods Market Recycle Wine Bottle Corks




Cork Reharvest logo

Ever wonder what to do with corks after you finish that bottle of wine?  How about recycling them ?  Whole Foods and Cork ReHarvest has partnered to set up recycling boxes at Whole Foods MArkets.

" ... make it easy ... to properly dispose of cork at all of our 292 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. ... "

Did you know that cork production is environmentally friendly as trees are not cut but tWhole Foods Market logohe bark (cork) is harvested approx every 10 years from trees that can live for 300 years.

What about the environmental impact of cork recycling - the energy and cost to ship cork back for processing?  The cork is returned on the same trucks that deliver so there is a close to ZERO net carbon footprint.  So the cork recycling loop is close to impact free.

Depending on the location the corks are used to make floor tiles or other products.

 

Via:  Whole Foods Market  LINK

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 19, 2011

Celebrate Earth Day (April 22nd 2011) at Starbucks




Starbucks is celebrating EARTH DAY by giving a free cup of coffee if you skip the paper cup .... either bring in your own refillable cup or ask for your coffee in a "for-here" cup.  Either way it is free.  Last year Starbucks had 1.2 million participants !  Starbucks mug

" ... on Earth Day ... inviting everyone to bring in a reusable mug or tumbler and get a free brewed coffee or tea ... hot or iced ... at participating stores in the United States and Canada."

"... We recognize the impact one can make through careful, conscious choices ..."

If you do not have a reusable mug and want to buy one you can get one for 20 % off and then get 10 cents off each time you use it at Starbucks.

Here is your chance to make a positive impact on the environment on Earth Day and every day !

 

Via:  Starbucks  LINK

 

February 23, 2011

Enerkem W2E Technology




Enerkem logo

Enerkem turns waste to biofuels and chemicals ..." converts residual materials, such as non-recyclable municipal solid waste, into clean transportation fuels, advanced chemicals and green electricity." 

Enerkem's technology eliminates waste products and turn otherwise unusable materials into useful products.

Enerkem has 2 facilities in Canada and is developing one on Mississippi with funds from the US DOE.

CLICK to see a schematic of the process.

 

 

Via:  Enerkem  LINK

April 02, 2010

Cool Green Cities




Green city list via HowStuffWorks. Includes US and European cities that are embracing green lifestyles, renewable energy, and energy efficiency.

February 15, 2010

Call2Recycle® - Rechargable Battery Recycling




I was looking at BoCall2Recycle logose Wave radios and noticed an interesting section about recycling batteries ... they have 3 easy ways for you to recycle the rechargeable batteries in their Wave radios ...  

... call Bose toll free, go to a Bose store or visit rbrc.com ... which takes you to call2recycle.

 call2recycle has a look up by ZIP code feature for the US and Canada.  In my ZIP code I found a number of drop off locations including K-Mart, Radio Shack,. hardware stores and Home Depot.

"Call2Recycle® offers consumers a free and easy way to care for the environment through its nationwide battery and cell phone recycling program ... follow these three easy steps ... If it's rechargeable, it's recyclable. Look for used rechargeable batteries and old cell phones in your home that are dead or not being used any longer ... Find the recycling drop-off location nearest you and drop off your used rechargeable batteries and old cell phones."

 

Via:  call2recycle  LINK


 

February 14, 2010

Olympic Waste Heat Recovery




Vancouver recovers heat from waste stream: Thermal energy is captured using a heat exchange process integrated with a new municipal sewage pump station. ... http://bit.ly/ajM8E6

February 10, 2010

Olympics Energy Efficiency and Management Strategy




BC Hydro and Vancouver Organizing Committee are collaborating to drive energy efficiency through the Winter Olympic games through building efficiency and public awareness. Live energy tracking will enable optimization dynamically. ...
... "The Power Smart energy tracking system is just one part of a huge focus on conservation at the Games. In its agreement with the Vancouver Organizing Committee, 90 percent of the power that BC Hydro supplies to the Games will qualify as clean energy. " ...
Via Utilimetrics Association for Smart Metering and Innovative Technologies: Energy conservation at Winter Olympics

Via BC Hydro: Low-carbon Olympic Games: "We will hold the Games with the lowest carbon dioxide emissions from power generation in the history of the modern Games, at only about a tenth of previous Winter Games. It’s a legacy that will be showcased every time that lights go on in a stadium, a timing device captures a record and a broadcaster goes on the air, largely powered by clean, renewable hydroelectric energy. "



Continue reading "Olympics Energy Efficiency and Management Strategy" »

February 01, 2010

Samsung to Invest in Renewable Energy Projects in North American Market




Samsung logo"Samsung and Korea Electric Power Corp. will invest $6.6 billion into wind and solar projects in Ontario ... will build and maintain power plants as well as erect four new factories in North America for making the equipment for the power plants ... plants will employ 1,440 and building and maintaining the power plant will keep 16,000 busy ..."

" ... 2.5 gigawatts of renewable capacity ... triple renewable capacity in Ontario."

" ... Samsung hopes to translate its expertise in electronics, deep financial pocket, and manufacturing heft into a leading role in building management systems, energy efficient electronics and solar power ... "

"Samsung has already stated a public goal of becoming number one in solar in 2015 ... laid out an ambitious carbon reduction plan ... wants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from both its operations and from the use of its products by 50 percent by 2013 on a normalized sales basis...."

In 2008, Samsung and its products emitted 9.4 million tons of greenhouse gases with about 60 percent of the emissions coming indirectly through products. ..."


Via:  Greentechmedia  LINK

December 29, 2009

Two-Sided Solar Power Panels with Reflective Roof Coatings




DuROCK Alfacing International Ltd.’s headquarters in Woodbridge uses rooftop solar panels that generate power from both sides of the solar panels. A reflective roof coating sends light to the back of the panels, boosting the energy generation capacity of the solar installation. ...
... "SANYO HIT Double PV modules generate power from both sides, resulting in up to 30% higher energy output than standard single-sided PV modules, making them ideal for carports, canopies and porch coverings. DuROCK Tio-Coat is a high-strength white elastomeric urethane roof coating that provides 89% solar radiation reflectivity and weather resistance, reducing the energy usage required for the building compared to traditional roof coverings. " ...
Via SANYO Solar: DuROCK Alfacing International Headquarters in Woodbridge

Continue reading "Two-Sided Solar Power Panels with Reflective Roof Coatings" »

September 10, 2009

Serious Materials - Green Building Materials




SeriousMaterials logo

 

Serious Materials produces a line of green environmentally friendly building products that help homeowners save energy ...


"... develops and manufactures sustainable green building materials that dramatically reduce the impact of the 'built environment' on the climate."

" ... aim for breakthroughs in product performance, without requiring changes in customer behavior or in how products are used – thus speeding market adoption."

" Serious Windows high-performance insulated windows and glass, which can reduce heating and cooling energy costs and emissions up to 40% ...QuietRock soundproof drywall & QuietHome Windows, which can reduce material use, GreenRock™, a green alternative to standard drywall ... uses 80% less energy to produce its core, resulting in 80% lower CO2 emissions. ... "

" ... manufacture products in ... Sunnyvale, California; Newark, California; Boulder, Colorado; Vandergrift, Pennsylvania. ... to create thousands of green collar jobs ... in the U.S. Products are widely available through building products dealers in the U.S. and Canada."




Via: Serious Materials LINK

June 23, 2009

Ecolife Products - Green Products for the home





Ecolife ProductsEcolife is a Canadian company that makes a line of earth friendly line of cleaners and biodegradable plastic bags.

Ecolife Products tagline is "Changing the world without changing the Earth". 

" ... we believe in making the world a better place ... by promoting biodegradable, compostable and other eco friendly products... "

" ... we care about the environment and our products are designed to work with no or little effect to the world around us.  ... an old native proverb about the earth we believe in.  It reads, " We did not inherit the Earth from our grandparents. We borrow it from our children"."

 

Via:  Ecolife Products  Link


May 15, 2009

Starbucks - Greener to go Cups and Take the Mug Pledge




Take the Mug Pledge

Starbucks is solidly behind the green Starbucks Shared Planetmovement ... from it LEED roasting facility to it "take the mug pledge".  Some folks just want / need a "to go " cup ... and Starbucks is working to make that a greener cup.

Read on for more >>>

" ...environmental impact of our disposable ... cups is a big area of concern to our customers and we are committed to significantly reducing this impact by 2015. ... spent more than ten years looking for ways to decrease the environmental impact of our disposable cups ... In 2006 we launched the industry's first hot beverage paper cup with post-consumer reGreener paper cupcycled fiber. ... in 2008,... we rolled out a new plastic cup that has less of an environmental impact than our original plastic cups."

" ... a 10-cent discount in the U.S. and Canada to ... customers to use their own reusable mugs for their beverages. Customers staying in a store can also request that their beverages be served in a ceramic mug."

 

Via:  Starbucks LINK

 

 

 

May 06, 2009

Alberta Canada Wind Power Installation Planned




TransAlta Canada orders 23 units of the Vestas V90-3.0 MW wind turbine, totalling almost 70 MW of power generation. The wind turbines will be constructed at the Ardenville wind farm in Alberta, Canada. ...
... "The 23 units of the V90-3.0 MW wind turbine for the Ardenville wind farm will be supplied and commissioned by Vestas, with delivery in mid-2010 and commissioning scheduled to be completed in early 2011. The order includes a five-year service and maintenance agreement. " ...
Via Vestas: V90-3.0 MW Wind Turbine Order in Canada

April 14, 2009

Toronto Green Roofs




Toronto is considering legislation that will require a green roof on future new buildings of certain sizes. ...
... "Every building or building addition constructed after January 30, 2010 with a Gross Floor Area of 5,000 square metres or greater shall include a Green Roof with a coverage of Available Roof Space ... " ...
Via Toronto, Canada: Green Roofs Required (PDF)

April 04, 2009

Vancouver Green Convention Center






January 15, 2009

Green Roof Research




Canadian university will conduct research in its green building, as sensors will monitor its LEED performance and improve our understanding of materials and efficiency strategies. ...
... "One of the main areas of the building to be studied will be the green roof. A green roof is typically partially or completely covered with vegetation and soil, or a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane. " ...
Via University of Western Ontario: Green building living, breathing classroom

December 15, 2008

Electrovaya Maya-300 Electric Car





electrovaya logo

 Toronto Canada based electovaya (Toronto Stock Exchange EFL) has announced its Maya-300, a ZERO emission elelectrovayaelectric car that will go up to 35 mph and have a range of up to 120 miles.  Using Lithium ion type batteries with film materials from ExxonMobil the Maya-300 might be your next city car ... or second car.

Read on for more ...

" ... Maya-300, a zero-emission ... transportation solution with sufficient range for many drivers. Its top speed is electronically regulated to either 25 or 35 mph ...  long electric range of up to 120 miles on a single charge and works very well in cold weather conditions ...on-board battery charger allows for convenient recharging with standard 110V outlets ..."

 

Via:  elecrovaya  LINK

 

October 02, 2008

bullfrog GREEN POWER




bullfrog power logo

"Founded in 2005, Bullfrog Power is a leading provider of 100% green electricity, with service available to Ontario and Alberta residents and businesses. ... power comes from clean, green sources like wind power and low-impact water power. ... generators have received Environment Canada’s Environmental Choice Program EcoLogoM certification.

" ... committed to increasing the amount of green power on our regional electricity grid systems in Canada by helping to develop new renewable generation facilities. ..."

 

Via: bullfrogPower   Link

September 30, 2008

WalMart Canada to Phase out Some Plastic Packaging




WalMart LogoReducing plastic waste is a benefit to everyone (except maybe the folks t hat make plastic packaging).  It adds cost to the final goods and results in waste to throw away and is not yet recyclable.

WalMart in Canada announced on May 12th, 2008 "... goal to reduce the packaging of products sold in its stores,... it will phase out all PVC plastic packaging in the energy saving light bulb category and replace it with ... cardboard packaging. ... will eliminate an estimated 150,000 pounds of PVC plastic waste each year, increase package recyclability and save natural resources."

" ... has a goal to reduce the packaging on the products sold in its stores by five per cent by 2013.  ... impact of removing 213,000 trucks from the road, saving approximately 324,000 tonnes of coal and 67 million gallons of diesel fuel each year.

Via: WalMart Link

Continue reading "WalMart Canada to Phase out Some Plastic Packaging" »

September 11, 2008

Disposing of Compact Florescent Bulbs (CFB)




Compact Florescent Bulbs (CFB) have many positive qualities including:

waste basket- lower energy use for a given light output and longer life ...but they contain small amounts of mercury ... sdo ... how do you safely dispose of them?

 Home Depot now has a CFB recycling program ... just bring your CFB to the front service desk and they will collect them for safe disposal of them.

>>> I tried this at a local Home Depot and it was just that easy!Home Depot Logo

"... a national in-store, ...  (CFL) bulb recycling program at all 1,973 The Home Depot locations. This free service is the first such offering made so widely available by a retailer in the United States ...Home Depot Canada launched a CFL recycling program in November, 2007."

Via:  Home Depot  Link

June 29, 2008

Home Depot offers CFL Recycling in Stores





Home Depot LogoATLANTA, June 24, 2008 - "... Home Depot(R), ... launching a national in-store, consumer compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb recycling program at all 1,973 The Home Depot locations. This free service is the first such offering made so widely available by a retailer in the United States... Home Depot Canada launched a CFL recycling program in November, 2007" picture of CFB

" ... customers can simply bring in any expired, unbroken CFL bulbs, and give them to the store associate behind the returns desk. The bulbs will then be managed responsibly by an environmental management company who will coordinate CFL packaging, transportation and recycling to maximize safety and ensure environmental compliance"

" ... CFL recycling program is an extension of The Home Depot's Eco Options program. ... a classification that allows customers to easily identify products that have less of an impact on the environment.

" ... more than 75 percent of households located within 10 miles of a Home Depot store, this program is the first national solution to providing Americans with a convenient way to recycle CFLs."

CFB can save energy but have a downside in that they contain smalll amounts of mercury ... this is toxic if released into the air or water.  Recycling provides a way to ssafely dispose of these energy saving bulbs.

 

Via:  The Home Depot  Link

March 18, 2008

Hybrid Bus Manfacturer




New Flyer LogoNew Flyer manufactures both standard and hybrid buses.  They have delivered many to Philadelphia's SEPTA transit authority.

New Flyer " ... the industry leader in bringing new technology to the market ...  offer a complete range of hybrid-electric bus solutions ...".

"New Flyer hybrid buses have been on the road since 1997, longer than any other manufacturer in the US or Canada. ... have accumulated over 12 million service miles – more than all other manufacturers combined. ..."

bus cut away

Hybrid Bus Benefits Include ...  

"Increased fuel economy"
"Reduced emissions"

Additionally ... hybrids with "regenerative braking system ... diverts energy into the battery where it is stored for future use by the electrical system. ...Between 0 and 10 MPH ... can use the electric drive to smoothly stop the vehicle, ...to extend brake life...."

Via:  New Flyer Link 

Continue reading "Hybrid Bus Manfacturer" »

December 25, 2007

Incandescent Bulb's Days (May Be) Numbered ...





Incandescent light bulb - its days may be numberedThe Energy and Security Act of 2007 was signed into Law on Dec 19th, 2007.  Along with items like requiring higher CAFE for cars there is an interesting note about ... the incandescent light bulb.

Though most people are saying that the incandescent bulb will not be sold after 2012 - it is more correct to say that the current energy inefficient incandescent bulb as sold today will not be available.

It is likely that the initial make up supply of bulbs will be from either higher efficiency incandescent bulbs or as in intermediate step - CFB. 

One little problem about CFB is that they contain MERCURY which is a rather nasty environmental pollutant - one linked to health effects in younger children.  Maybe lower cost LED bulbs will be available by 2012?

So far now ... maybe it is time to stock up on the old incandescent bulbs ... 2012 will be here before you know it.    

 

Via:  WhiteHouse.gov   Link 

Continue reading "Incandescent Bulb's Days (May Be) Numbered ..." »

November 01, 2007

Green Car Companies Zipcar and Flexcar Merge




Flexcar"CAMBRIDGE, MASS. & WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 31, 2007) — Zipcar and Flexcar,  ... announced today the companies will merge. Together t ... represent an international network ... The combined company will operate under the Zipcar brand and be headquartered in Cambridge, MA, ..."

"Zipcar and Flexcar currently operate car sharing programs,  ... access to a diverse fleet of vehicles conveniently located throughout major metropolitan areas.... A simple hourly or daily fee covers gas, insurance, maintenance, parking and 24-7 emergency service.

“Zipcar currently operates in New York, Boston, Washington D.C., Chicago, San Francisco, Vancouver, Toronto and London while Flexcar operates in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. Both ... provide car sharing on college campuses ...".


"...member benefits will include:"

  • "Award winning technology: ... Zipcar’s Z3D, industry-leading technology. ... fully connects the information flow between vehicles, members and Zipcar.com"
  • "Universal membership: ...the combined Zipcar, Flexcar network ... using the Zipcar.com website or mobile interface."
  • "Premium insurance: ... an industry leading insurance plan with limits of $300,000 per accident."
  • "More convenience: Especially in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco ..."
  • "Green options:  ...a commitment to environmental responsibility, and now members will have access to more hybrid vehicles"

  • Via:  Zipcar.com   Link

    October 27, 2007

    Green House Tour




    Olivia Chow, member of Canada's Parliament, gives a tour of her green house. ...


    Continue reading "Green House Tour" »

    Solar Living in Canada




    Video showcases solar success stories in Ontario, Canada and profiles off-grid living.


    Continue reading "Solar Living in Canada" »

    Planned Solar Community




    Drake Landing Solar Community in Alberta, Canada. ...

    Continue reading "Planned Solar Community" »

    May 09, 2007

    States Join Together To Combat Climate Change




    Thirty-one states (70% of U.S. population) become members of The Climate Registry to support national effort to positively impact climate change.  Participants include: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming and the Campo Kumeyaay Nation and two Canadian provinces: British Columbia and Manitoba.  ...

     ...   "The newly formed climate registry is a tool to measure, track, verify and publicly report GHG emissions accurately, transparently and consistently across borders and industry sectors. This is a critical first step in developing robust programs to reduce GHG emissions. The Registry will support voluntary, market-based and regulatory GHG emissions reporting programs. "   ...

    Via Climate Registry: STATES JOIN THE CLIMATE REGISTRY TO TRACK GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS (PDF) ...

     

    April 25, 2007

    Global Warming Awareness: Flick-Off Branson Collaboration




    Branson collaborates with coalition to launch Canadian awareness program, called Flick-Off, to educate the public about the devastating effects of global warming and to motivate people into action. ...

    Flick Off

    ... "Virgin Mobile, MuchMusic, Roots, Environmental Defence and the Province of Ontario have joined forces to create a dynamic coalition to communicate a simple message: it's no longer enough to worry about global warming, it's time to take action and encourage everyone to join in. " ...

    Via FlickOff: Sir Richard Branson & Ontario Environment Minister Laurel Broten Headline Coalition to Fight Global Warming