Green Technology

India has lots of gas and diesel powered rickshaws ... these emit significant quantities of pollution ... there is work to outfit rickshaws with batteries and an electric motor.  These cost close to 3 x the cost of a traditional rickshaw but the government may offer loans to help offset the cost differential.

" ... Soleckshaw ... can either be pedaled or run off of a 36-volt battery that is charged every 45 miles from a solar charging station ... prototype ... seats three and has electric lights, an FM radio, four mobile phone chargers, and can travel at 12 and a half miles per hour. ..."

Via:  cleanechnica LINK

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Movie theaters are embracing the the green movement including LEED.

" ... theaters are making an effort to help viewers go green ... including Georgia-based Carmike Cinemas ... built a LEED-certified theater in Chattanooga, Tenn., which opened in November ... "

" ... Environmentally conscious theater construction and design are growing trends ... Some theaters are installing solar panels ... and using recycled building materials for new theaters and existing facilities that are under renovation."

Via: FORBES LINK

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Darden Restaurants - owner of Red Lobster and other restaurant brands - is embracing the USGBC LEED Standards.

" ... launching a sustainable restaurant design initiative ... will require that all new restaurants be built to the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED standards ... need to be built following the LEED Rating Systems code when feasible."

" ... launching with eight restaurants that have been built, or are in the process of being built, to achieve LEED certification."

Via: FORBES LINK

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DASANI® Water (part of the Coca-Cola Company) is rolling our plant bottles in the western US.  These bottles have UP TO 30% plant-sourced plastic and are just as recyclable - 100% - as their normal #1 PET bottles.

" ... Today, the plant-based material is made from sugar cane juice and/or molasses, which is a by-product of producing sugar."

" ... in Denmark, 65 percent of PlantBottle packaging will come from a combination of recycled and plant-based material ... "

" ... Ultimately, our goal is to develop recyclable plastic bottles made from plant-based waste -- thereby turning waste into a resource."

Via:  DASANI® LINK

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Dixon Golf's "GREEN" golf balls are truly green - made with recycled materials and themselves recyclable.

" ...first high-performance eco-friendly golf balls ... all balls manufactured by Dixon Golf are "green" to the core ... 100% recyclable and made from reprocessable materials ... packaging is made from 100% recycled material."

Via: LINK

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"PlanetSolar ... topped by a large array of photovoltaic solar panels ... will be both silent and clean. The goal is to navigate around the world at an average speed of 8 knots ..."

" .. will be home to two sailors during the round-the-world attempt, and can accommodate up to fifty people during the promotional trips planned ..."

Via:  PlanetSolar  LINK

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GE has created a new water heater - a next generation - that saves energy by novel use of technology.  Advanced (for a water heater at least) technology from other areas like sophisticated controls, hybrid modes and heat pumps can result in a very energy efficient water heater.

" ...  GE rethought every aspect of this appliance from the ground up. ... can reduce water heater operating cost up to 62% and save $320 per year ... "

" eHeat™ Mode (most energy efficient mode) ... [using a heat pump] removes heat from the surrounding air, heats the water ... Time required to heat water is longer in this mode, but should be adequate for normal demand households. ... Hybrid Mode (default mode) Combines ... eHeat with the recovery speed and power of standard electric. ...  High Demand Mode ... higher than average water usage ... Standard Electric Mode ... faster than all other modes but it is the LEAST energy-efficient mode."

A control panel at eye level allows for easy access  and control.  Leave it alone or use it as needed to customize your hot water needs . " ... enables the vacation mode " .... system will drop the temperature set point to 50°F to save energy ... preventing the water from freezing ... automatically heats the water to the previous set temperature the day before you are expected to return. ..."

The GeoSpring electric heat pump water heater is the first residential electric water heater with an electronic back-lit LCD display. The panel features a user-friendly control system located at eye-level to eliminate the need to bend down to the floor to adjust temperature settings. Changing the mode and temperature is as easy as following the on-screen menu. This easy-to-use electronic control panel offers both simplicity and flexibility, giving consumers as much or as little control as they like.

Via:  GE LINK

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Chemists at UCLA have created a "gene" that might capture CO2 and help control CO2 emissions.

"UCLA chemists report creating a synthetic "gene" that could capture ... carbon dioxide emissions, which contribute to global warming, rising sea levels and the increased acidity of oceans."

" ... taken organic and inorganic units and combined them into a synthetic crystal which codes information in a DNA-like manner ... no means as sophisticated as DNA, but it is certainly new in chemistry and materials science."

" ... could lead to cleaner energy, including technology that factories and cars can use to capture carbon dioxide before it reaches the atmosphere."

" ... invented a class of materials called metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), sometimes described as crystal sponges ... openings on the nanoscale ... which ... can store gases that are usually difficult to store and transport. ..."

Via:  UCLA  LINK

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The "Low Carbon World" website ... www.LowCarbonEconomy.com - was officially launched today ... [25-Feb-2010] ...in Bali, Indonesia at the United Nations Environment Programme's annual Governing Council. ... joint project between Low Carbon Economy.com and the United Nation's Climate Neutral Network ... aims to facilitate the move to global low carbon economies, ..."

" ... will assist knowledge transfer and simplify access to information and tools that can be difficult to trace ... will list every country's carbon policies, commitments, historical performance, future projections and opportunities, ..."

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The reasons to recycle are many and should be helpful to any business ... lower  cost with less trash to dispose and pay for and "bragging rights" to promote are just two ... Yet two very large "inductries" have not jumped on the recycling bandwagon ...

" ... a The New York Times article, Leaving the Trash Behind, explored the aviation industry’s massive contribution to global waste ... millions of plastic bottles discarded at security checkpoints, but separate recycling containers in terminals or on board planes are not common. ...no industry standard for recycling ..."

"Recycling procedures vary by airline and airport. Environmental programs involve many entities ... each of the nation’s 552 commercial "airports has its own way of handling waste."

" ... Continental Airlines has been recycling oil, antifreeze and other aircraft maintenance products for two or three years. Recently it began onboard collection of bottles, aluminum cans and cardboard boxes. ..."

" ... Green America, an environmental group, started a campaign to get air travelers to report back on their website what airlines were recycling ... to hold the industry accountable in enforcing their polities and to push them to do better."

" ... medical centers are the second-largest waste producers in the United States, after the food industry. ... In operating rooms, some items that are never even used are thrown away simply because they are taken out of their packaging and could have been contaminated."

Via: SmartPlanet LINK

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BloomEnergy has announced a novel fuel cell and unlike typical fuel cells if does not require precious metal catalysts. Fuel cells are typcially "cleaner" than other power sources.

" ..  an innovative new fuel cell technology ... derived from a common sand-like powder ... technology is able to produce clean, reliable, affordable power,... practically anywhere,... from a wide range of renewable or traditional fuels."

" ... Energy Servers™ are among the most efficient energy generators on the planet; providing for significantly reduced electricity costs and dramatically lower greenhouse gas emissions ... "

" ... Originally called Ion America, Bloom Energy, was founded with the mission to make clean, reliable energy affordable for everyone on earth."

" ... After two years of successful field trials in Tennessee, California, and Alaska, to validate the technology, the first commercial (100kW) products were shipped to Google in July 2008."

" ... Bloom's Energy Servers have helped our customers generate millions of kWhs of electricity and eliminate millions of pounds of CO₂ from the environment."

Via:  BloomEnergy LINK

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David de Rothschild has built a boat from recycled plastic bottles and plans to sail it from San Francisco in the US to Sydney, Australia. 

 Yes he is from the famous Rothschild family. 

The boat and crew will travel in a green manner (composting toilets and vertical green garden fertilized by composted poop) Power for on board electronics comes from solar cells and wind turbines.  The boat uses glue made from cashew nuts.

Follow the journey and check out the web site for lots of geen info.

Via:  Plastiki  LINK

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... "Selection -- Walmart will focus on the product categories with the highest embedded carbon. This is defined as the amount of life cycle GHG emissions per unit multiplied by the amount the company sells. To find the embedded carbon, the ASC reviewed the GHG emissions associated with all Walmart product categories. This approach ensures the project team focuses on the categories that have the greatest opportunity for reductions. Reductions can come from any part of a product’s life cycle." ...

Continue reading "Walmart green supply chain opportunity wiil target carbon intense products" »

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Along the lines of which is better for the environment - paper or plastic bags is the "which is better for the environment" paper or digital format for documents.  Bet you are leaning towards digital --- I am.

" ... main selling points ... of eReaders is that they are greener than print. ... common view held by consumers ... is that going digital means going green and saving trees. Many are in for a rude awakening. ... subjected to ‘cradle-to-cradle’ life cycle analysis, eReading is not nearly as green as many naively assume it is."

" ... Computers, eReaders, and cell phones don’t grow on trees and their spiraling requirement for energy is unsustainable."

" ... digital devices require a constant flow of electrons that predominately come from the combustion of coal, and at the end of their all-too-short useful lives electronics have become the single largest stream of toxic waste created by man...."

Via:  ZDNet  LINK

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" ... The number of affordable, energy-efficient modular homes continues to increase as Pennsylvania-based builder Excel Homes offers a new line aimed at first-time buyers ... targeted to be sold for under $100,000, and depending on region, for as low as $60,000. ..."

" ... Excel Homes ... has built 28,000 modular homes since its founding in 1984 ...  built in sect

ions ... in Liverpool, Pa., and Marlboro, N.Y., and transported ... where they are assembled... come with the government's Energy Star label for energy efficiency ... prices do not include the cost of land...."

Via: USAToday LINK

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San Francisco is known for embracing many things green.  The city recently developed and released an iPhone app for recycling information.

"San Franciscans already lead the nation in recycling – in May [2009] we announced a 72% diversion rate of all materials going to the landfill ... pledged to recycle 75% of the materials that would otherwise go to the landfill by 2010 and zero waste by 2020."

" ... find out where to recycle or properly dispose of materials using ... location-based mobile application. Instead of dumping old electronics or furniture on the sidewalk, the EcoFinder iPhone app tells you where these materials should go, based on your location."

Via:  CleanTechnica  LINK

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U2 has taken a novel approach to getting fans to getting fans to think about the bands carbon footprint and in doing so may help promote the idea of carbon offsets.

U2's show uses quite a bit of carbon in getting things set up and moved around the world.  They are promoting to fans that they can do their part to help offset the carbon footprint of the concert when they buy tickets ... read on for more.

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Via:  Ford LINK

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Scientists from CalTech have developed technology that might lead efficient solar cells from silicon nanowires.  This could lead to all sorts of configurations for solar cells including fabrics.

" ... CalTech scientists say they have the underlying technology. Silicon nanowires, arranged in arrays, have been engineered that ... grab power from visible light ..."

" ... a cell geometry that not only uses 1/100th the material of traditional wafer-based devices, but also may offer increased photovoltaic efficiency owing to an effective optical concentration of up to 20 times ...”

"If nanowires can be woven into a viable matrix, combined with other material, it means fabrics can double as solar connectors, once they have a way to off-load the power they create."

Via:  SmartPlanet  LINK

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H-P's newest data center in Wynyard England is cooled ENTIRELY by wind blowing off the nearby North Sea.  The North Sea is cold and so are its winds. It is H-P's greenest data center yet ...

The " ... new 360,00 sq. ft. Wynyard center is 40 percent more energy-efficient than conventional data centers ..."

" ... Traditional data centers use thousands of megawatt hours per year ... if they were classed as a separate industry, they would be the sixth-largest user of electricity ... "

 Other energy saving / carbon saving features of the Wynyard data center are: " ... harvesting rainwater ... to maintain proper humidity levels in the air that’s brought in from outside ... light-colored server racks because they reflect light, allowing for 40 percent less lighting to be installed compared to using black cabinets."

"HP had previously announced that it plans to reduce the combined energy consumption of operations and products by 25 percent below 2005 levels by 2010."

Via:  SmartPlanet LINK

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Volvo is looking at a possible new battery technology that can double as the car "skin".    The idea is to make new hybrids lighter and more efficient by having the car's "skin" serve a dual purpose.

"Researchers from Imperial College London ... and Volvo are developing a prototype material that’s strong and light enough to be used as a car’s skin but can store and discharge electrical energy."

" ... material is made of carbon fibers and a polymer resin and can store and discharge large amounts of energy much more quickly than conventional batteries."

" ... does not use chemical processes, making it quicker to recharge than conventional batteries. Unlike conventional chemical batteries, the recharging process also causes little degradation in the composite material."

" ... could also be used as both battery and shell of consumer electronic devices such as mobile phones and computers. Without conventional batteries, the devices could be smaller and more lightweight."

Via:  SmartPlanet  LINK

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A MIT spin-off has created a solar powered refrigerator that can bring cooling to those far from the electric grid - especially those in developing countries like India and China.

"Promethean Power Systems has developed a solar-powered refrigeration system for commercial cold-storage applications in off-grid and partially electrified areas of developing countries. ... store and preserve perishable food items ... without the need for expensive diesel-powered generators"

" ... a for-profit enterprise. We believe that creating a cost-effective solution for cold-chain food distribution in emerging markets is an excellent business opportunity that could deliver enormous social and environmental benefits."

" ...  study revealed a large business opportunity in India for an efficient cold-storage solution targeted to the dairy industry ... Cold-storage at the village level minimizes the number of collection trips and reduces transportation cost in half. Today, the only alternative is to use commercial refrigerators with diesel-powered backup generators, a no-win situation that further exposes the dairies to escalating energy prices. "

Via:  Coolectrica  LINK

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" ... what to do with the 30 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide the human race produces every year by burning fossil fuels. Half ... is absorbed by oceans, plants and trees. The rest contributes to the atmospheric build-up of greenhouse gas ..."

" ... a bold solution that will inevitably come up is to capture and sequester some of that carbon dioxide deep underground. Onshore geologic cavities in the U.S. could hold 2 trillion tons of CO₂ ... enough to soak up 300 years of national output ... and would generate a good deal of anxiety for those living above the gas...."

" ... put the carbon where nobody lives ... a perfect place 130 miles off the eastern U.S. seaboard and 2 miles below the ocean ... porous sandstone formation, trapped under 3,200 feet of hard shale, that stretches from New Jersey to Georgia ... "

"SCS Energy ... aims to start injecting CO₂ into this undersea rock by 2016 and to make a profit ... "

" ... technique called coal gasification that heats coal and partially combusts it in pure oxygen to make carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Adding water turns the carbon monoxide into CO₂. The 5 million tons of CO₂ produced annually by the plant would be piped out to sea and injected into ... sandstone. Almost all the hydrogen would be used to power a turbine during hours when the price of electricity is high. When power prices are lower, more hydrogen would be diverted to make ammonia or urea for fertilizer."

"Carbon capture and storage on a large scale is still more theoretical than real ... Sequestration's critics are legion, but it may be a requirement to meet the 2020 greenhouse-gas-reduction goals most countries set for themselves prior to the Copenhagen talks...."

Via:  Forbes  LINK

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• Ford's new Transit Connect is the ideal taxi platform as it is both big enough to accommodate CNG or Propane fuel tanks and is available with CNG or Propane engine options that from Ford - maintaining the  manufacturers warranty.

" ... meeting with taxi operators ... found considerable interest for vehicles that run on alternative fuels ..."

“ ... they provide an overall lower emission of greenhouse gases compared to gasoline. Additionally, operating on CNG or LPG provides the operators lower fuel/operating costs ..."

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The GSA is renovating the 18 story federal building in Portland, Oregon.  Green features include a vertical green wall and reduced water usage with low flow fixtures and recycled roof water.

"... part of a $133 million renovation, the General Services Administration wants to grow “vegetated fins” on the western facade of the Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt Federal Building ... save energy year-round using one of Mother Nature’s own tools."

" ... will use 60 to 65 percent less energy than comparable buildings. That translates to an energy cost savings of $280,000 per year."

"Solar panels could also provide up to 15 percent of the building’s power needs. Energy use for lighting will be halved."

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United Technologies is looking at how blood captures CO2 to see if this has potential for larger scale carbon capture / sequestration.  One targeted industry is coal-fired power plants.

"Blood cells in all breathing creatures are constantly capturing carbon dioxide and moving it someplace better--just what coal-fired power plant operators may soon have to do with all the carbon dioxide produced by burning coal."

" ... trying to develop industrial blood--a synthetic version of the enzyme that blood uses to capture CO2 ... best known chemistry for CO2 management ... "

"Current carbon capture approaches use chemicals ... system has to be huge and the process requires a pile of heat, which means a pile of energy and therefore a pile of cash. The cost of electricity from a coal-fired plant is projected to rise 80% in order to pay for a 90% reduction in CO2."

" ... envisions a simpler, cheaper system involving membranes that sift carbon dioxide out of the flue gas ...  hopes to do is dope the membrane with a substance based on the enzyme that blood uses to capture CO2, called carbonic anhydrase."c--are also working to develop carbon capture devices based on carbonic anhydrase.

Via:  Forbes LINK

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 "San Francisco based, Climate Earth has developed new software technology that measures and analyzes the carbon impact inside the supply chain, from the production of a carton of orange juice to the construction of a giant skyscrape ...

Via: SmartPlanet  LINK

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"Equator Coffees ... is going green ... using sustainable farming practices to grow their coffee cherries by partnering with local farmers in developing countries. On their site, they also have a smart coffee roaster that burns 80 percent less natural gas than a traditional coffee roaster and a food composter that turns excess coffee waste into fertilizer."

To learn more about Equator Coffee CLICK HERE.

Via:  SmartPlanet LINK

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Dow has products for many part of the green economy ... from solar cells to batteries for electric cars to materials for solar cells.

"Dow ... has embarked upon a multi-pronged strategy to capitalize on the demand for renewable energy and low-carbon alternatives to conventional products. ... "

" ... Dow's secret [is] ... Material science, i.e. membranes, coatings and other difficult-to-manufacture items that require a lot of chemical know-how. ... will have a huge impact on ... core green markets ..."

" ... Dow Corning ... brought a silicone sealant originally devised for outer space solar panels to the conventional solar panel market ... Dow signed a multimillion dollar, multi-year research alliance with Caltech to develop next generation solar technologies. ..."

" ... will sell copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar roofing tiles. Initial customers for the tiles, developed in conjunction with Global Solar, include mass market home builders Lennar and Pulte Homes."

" ... is sponsoring Electric Avenue, the electric car hall at the North American International Auto Show  .... Dow Kokam, a joint venture, will also discuss batteries for electric cars at the show."

" ... wants a larger part of the water purification and desalination market, buying Rohm & Haas to help it expand ..."

Via:  Greentechmedia  LINK

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"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

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Green buildings and designs are being found all across the country ... the Housing Authority Administration building in Newport, Tennessee is green.  Read about the many green features and technologies used.

" ... 8,585 square foot administration building ... Design included multiple "green" features: photovaltaic solar panels, geothermal heating and cooling, premium insulation package, Energy Star windows and lighting, low flow faucets and toilets and low impact site design. Project cost was $1,000,000.00."

Via:  McGraw-Hill Construction Community   LINK

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I came across the EnviroBubble wrap while looking for packing supplies on the U-Haul web site.  It looked interesting so I researched some and have an interesting post ...

"Sancell’s ... EnviroBubble is the worlds first totally degradable bubble wrap incorporates EPI’s TDPA (Totally Degradable Plastic Additives) ... Since its release in May 2005, Sancell’s EnviroBubble product has become an industry leader ... strengthening its reputation as the most effective, versatile, cost effective and environmentally friendly product available today ... a controlled shelf life of a minimum of 12 months as the TDPA additives are added at a controlled rate to monitor and control the useable life of the product and allowing the bags to degrade at a specific rate."

" ... Sancell have now introduced EnviroProtecta Bags – the worlds first totally degradable padded mailer bags."

Via: Sancell LINK

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Via: United Technologies Corp. LINK

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Fuel cells are making there way to a food store near you - if you live in Dedham, Mass.

" ... newest and largest Whole Foods Market in New England ... in Dedham, MA. ... the first store in Massachusetts to generate on-site power with fuel cell technology (one of the cleanest forms of energy)! 90% of our power will be generated by this fuel cell - this is something that we are very proud of."

Via:  Whole Foods LINK  and United Technologies LINK

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" ... our corporate commitment ... on reducing waste and any harmful environmental impact throughout the manufacturing process or footprint ... we can’t eliminate all activities that affect the environment ... we can focus on the activities that can reduce our environmental impact ..."

"Lili ... is a commitment shared by the leaders and employees of Intertape to continually look for opportunities to lower our environmental impact so sustainability is within reach.  We invite you to do the same."

" ... try this suggestion for lowering your impact ...  Lower your energy consumption and save money by replacing bulky computer monitors with a flat panel monitor.  They use 1/3 of the electricity which is the equivalent to the savings of leaving a 50W bulb burning for one year. "

Via:  Intertape Polymer Group  LINK

Continue reading "Intertape Polymer Group - Green Packaging and Lili" »

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"Our product range includes: Areca palm leaf plates, sugarcane fibre (bagasse) tableware, GM-free starch cutlery, plantation timber cutlery, PLA Bioplastic cups and containers, PLA coated coffee cups, paper straws, recycled napkins and lots more..." 

"Green Pack caters for a wide range of customers. From wholesalers, hospitality, general business users to schools, hospitals, airlines and the general public. We also specialise in green event supply from the small private event to the supply of large organised public events."

Via: greenpack LINK

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Big Green Purse believes the way to drive environmentally friendly products is to spend on them ... and use dollars to vote in the marketplace.

" ... we believe that the fastest, easiest, most direct route to a clean and healthy environment is to shift our spending to environmentally-safe, socially responsible products and services."

" ... Big Green Purse ... our focus on women because women spend $.85 of every dollar in the marketplace. That's a lot of power packed in a purse...... used in a way that can't be ignored. ... encouraging A MILLION WOMEN to shift at least $1,000 of money they already spend for an initial $1 billion Big Green Purse impact. ..."

" ... saves you time. ... found products that are really green (not just "green washed") at prices you can afford ... pinpointed goods that are not only green but "fair trade," meaning people are paid a fair wage for their work and no child labor is involved."

Via:  Big Green Purse  LINK

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Puppy Toys have gone GREEN.

We recently got a puppy and have noticed there are lots of GREEN puppy (and cat) things to be had ...

" ... In an age of disposability, these products stand the test of time. ... Utilizing eco friendly materials, such as reclaimed cotton, organic cotton, eco fabric and stuffing made with IntelliLoft™ recycled fibers, reyclable Zogoflex, and recycled fabric that can be recycled again ... "

" ... developed a manufacturing process that minimizes waste (currently as low as 2.4%!) ... our state-of-the-art building ... was constructed using the latest developments in energy efficient design in 2001 ... building expansion in 2009 and 2010 ... reclaiming 30,000 lbs of concrete."

" ... Reclaimed and reused old boxes are utilized to store finished goods rather than plastic manufacturing totes ... also incorporate recycled material in our shipping boxes."

Via:  West Paw Design  LINK

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Nissan has announced the Nissan Leaf - a zero emission electric car that is designed for "the mass market".  In addition to the car, Nissan is working with partners to develop the required infrastructure to support an a all electric car.  The LEAF is expected to be priced similar to other family sedans.

" ...  Nissan LEAF zero-emission, all-electric car ... five-passenger, five-door, gasoline-free car ..."

"Nissan is the only automaker committed to making all-electric vehicles available to the mass market on a global scale. ... has partnered on the development of an electric-vehicle infrastructure through partnerships in the State of Tennessee, the State of Oregon, Sonoma County, San Diego, Phoenix, Tucson, Washington D.C., Seattle, Raleigh, and Vancouver. Additionalpartnerships will be announced in the near future."

Via:  Nissan  LINK

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" ... Prince Charles, the U.K.'s version of Al Gore, has taken another step in a green direction: his 1970 Aston Martin DB6 has been converted to run entirely on bioethanol ... fuel ... made from a white wine produced near the prince's Highgrove Estate, itself a showcase for organic farming ..."

" ... goal of reducing emissions from his planes, trains, and automobiles 25% by 2018 ... European Union limits annual wine production, so any leftovers from England's current vintage can be converted to bioethanol by Green Fuels Ltd.... company has previously provided bioethanol to power the royal train. The prince's other vehicles, which include a smattering of Jaguars, a Range Rover, and an Audi, have been converted to run on bioethanol made from cooking oil...."

Via: RiverWired LINK

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"If you want ... ‘green’ biodiesel, but don’t want to produce it yourself, you can buy high quality fuel from one of our Green Fuels approved dealers nationwide ...you will always save money compared with standard garage fuels ... "

"Biodiesel is a clean-burning biofuel produced from domestic renewable resources such as used cooking oil, oil seed crops such as rapeseed, or unused vegetable oil. It is biodegradeable, non-toxic and carbon neutral ... has 80% lower emissions than mineral diesel, it dramatically reduces pollution. It is inexpensive and easy to produce at home and is safe to use in any diesel vehicle without any modifications to your engine."

" ... two models in the Fuelpod range by Green Fuels - the safest way to produce high quality biodiesel at home. Both are supplied as complete systems and have minimal operating costs, with exceptionally low electricity consumption."

Via: Green Fuels Ltd. LINK

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I am always on the lookout for something GREEN to write about ... the advertising on some Chinet products caught my eye.

While at my local Costco last night I saw some interesting information info on Chinet plates ... they are now compostable !!

"Preserving natural resources for future generations is important to us, and to our extended family, which includes you. So, start to finish, we pursue sustainable practices, from using recycled materials to produce our disposable tableware products to reducing the amount of energy we use and waste we create to make them. "

They have "how to do it" instructions for composting their plates along with other compostable material ...  LINK

 Chinet is made by Huhtamaki  Americas

Via: Chinet  LINK

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" ... began recycling paper in the 1940s, have used recycled paper in products and packaging since the 1970s ... established a corporate-wide environmental conservation program in the 1990s...."

Other efforts include ... " ... sponsors e-waste events to collect and responsibly dispose of employees' discarded electronics ... actively participate in the Environmental Protection Agency's WasteWi$e and Energy Star Building programs ... Since the early 1990s we have reduced solid waste by 70 percent and hazardous waste by 90 percent ... waste-to-energy program at our distribution center in Enfield, Conn., has resulted in an ongoing zero percent waste program since 1998. Materials not recycled are used as electrical generator fuel."

Via: Hallmark LINK

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" ... inhabitants on the small Danish island of Samso have ... become one of the first industrialised places in the world to qualify as being totally energy self-sufficient ... Denmark ... can now boast a region that can be used by the rest of the planet as the blueprint for future green energy production ... started in 1997 when Samso won a competition ... to become Denmark's "Renewable Energy Island" by presenting a 10-year plan to convert its energy consumption from oil and gas to clean technology ... 21 wind turbines have been built on Samso ..."

" ... houses in Samso's 22 villages are heated by power plants that rely on furnaces fired by wood chips and straw and farms of man-sized solar panels inhabit the fields ... project also creates new jobs as ... island's plumbers and carpenters have now all become experts in energy-saving home conversion and insulation techniques, and even get the opportunity to carry out installations in mainland Europe and the US ..."

For more on this project check out this video ...

Via: Power and Energy News LINK

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PNC is well known for their green projects ... one of their ads says they have more green buildings than any other bank ...

In addition to having green buildings - PNC now has a GREEN WALL. " ... the largest green wall in North America ... 2,380 sq. ft., soil-based wall - similar in size to a doubles tennis court - features a variety of regional plants grown into living art on the south-facing wall of One PNC Plaza ... in downtown Pittsburgh." " ... estimated that each of the 602 panels, with 24 plants in each 2x2 sq. ft. space, will offset the carbon footprint of one person. ... similar to a green roof, will help to cool the 30-story building ... wall is a fitting reminder that PNC is the world leader in green building ...".

" ... has more newly constructed buildings certified by the United States Green Building Council under its LEED® program than any other company in the world ... includes 64 trademark Green Branch® locations and two office buildings. About 20 environmentally friendly branches and two other major buildings are under construction or awaiting LEED certification." Via: PRNewsWire LINK

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IBM has the perfect Green Gift ... bringing together both GREEN and Six Sigma. 

" ... author, Eric Olson, is an IT strategist ... wields degrees from the likes of Cornell University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ... approach...  emphasizes practical steps for setting a specific “environmental stewardship” plan in motion ... draws heavily on IBM’s Green Sigma approach for running a green business ... might be just the ticket for someone who is sick of hearing ideas OR someone who might need proofpoints to get their own managers to buy into green."

Download a sample chapter - LINK.

Via:  ZDNet.com  LINK

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Looking for a great gift for that special green tech or green dude in your life?  Check out "I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas" by Anna Getty.

" ... Anna Getty ... heiress, environmental advocate, writer, television personality, chef, mother, organic living expert ... believes that being green is not a trend but a way of life and in her 180-page book, “I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas” she shares her favorite holiday projects and recipes. "

" ... printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper ... is filled with ideas for gifts, decorations and recipes that use less and mean more ...  shows readers how to reduce their carbon footprint and save money ... "

  Check out this interesting video ... very cool ...

Via:  EcoFabulous  LINK

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Japan's Matsushita ... "will claim first place in the race to put commercial home fuel cells on the market ... "

" ... can optimally provide 70 percent of the energy needs for a 1,280 square foot house with four people ... can reduce energy consumption by 22 percent and CO2 emissions by 12 percent as compared to all other power sources ... ".

" ... cogeneration home fuel cell hooks up to the city’s natural gas lines, extracting hydrogen from the gas ... hydrogen is combined with oxygen through a series of polyelectrolyte membranes, a process that creates electricity, heat, and water ... home fuel cell produces between 500 watts and a 1 kilowatt of electricity and captures the heat to warm a tank of water, used for showers, dishes etc."

" ... a contribution to Japan’s goals of reducing global CO2 emissions 50 percent by 2050." " ... fuel cells require a great deal of energy; for example, this unit contains more than 2,000 components. Whether the production of the units negates the energy and CO2 savings gained by customers is unclear."

Check out this video ...

Via: Mother Nature Network LINK

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RecycleBank developed a program to help communities encourage recycling by combining recycling participation with a rewards program.

" ... RecycleBank, is a rewards and loyalty program that motivates households to recycle and adapt other positive green behaviors. As CEO and Co-founder, Gonen is revolutionizing the way people view recycling."

" ... launch in 2004 ... grown to servicing over one million people across 20 states and in the United Kingdom. RecycleBank is increasing participation in recycling from single digits to over 90% in communities along the way."

In an earlier post we showcased a CBS TV profile of Recyclebank. In this post we visit with Ron Gonen and get more of his perspective on the business and creating wins for so many stakeholders.

Via:  SmartPlanet  LINK

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Zerofootprint offers software and services that help your organization measure and manage its environmental footprint."

 For example, their "One Minute Calculators enable individuals to get a quick measure of their carbon footprint. After they input basic lifestyle information, the calculator will provide an estimate of a user’s carbon emissions in 60 seconds or less." 

There are 10 One Minute Calculators ... looking at the Earth Hour version I found that my family uses 11.45 ton / year of CO2.  By changing some variables like diet you can see the impact of various changes.

>>> Check it out.

Via:  zerofootprint  LINK

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Cagoule, a small company from Portland, Oregon, sells a line of gloves, hats, blankets and scarves made from post consumer recycled plastic beverage bottles.

My wife found these at our local Whole Foods Markets (Devon, Pa) and thought they looked like a great idea ... quality warm fleece gloves from post consumer recycled bottles.

Via:  Cagoule Fleece Link

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Andy Pag has set off on a trip around the world - but with a low carbon twist.  He is travelling on a "budget" of 2 tonnes of carbon per person per year.  You can follow his progress and story on his blog 2tonnesofcarbon and see some of the technology he is using as well as ways to cut your carbon footprint.

"The Biotruck Expedition is a 12 month expedition to drive around the world to discover how people are using and generating energy, and their attitudes t0wards carbon emissions."

" ... I'll be trying to conduct the whole project with a carbon emissions budget of 2 tonnes per person ... doing this because I'm curious about energy use around the world, and I want to see if I can travel on a sustainable carbon budget myself."

"Over the next 10 years, I predict recreational travel will either change dramatically, or become as socially unacceptable as drink driving or smoking is today."

Via:  Bio Truck Expedition  LINK

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The USPS has made great efforts to be green and help others be green. Through an arrangement with several electronics companies select USPS locations are offering prepaid mailers that can be used to recycle small electronics.

" ... committed to leaving a “green” footprint across America. ... are pioneers in using alternative fuel-capable vehicle ... support recycling and offer eco-friendly products."

Via: USPS  LINK

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Data centers are BIG energy hogs ... withe energy to run them, generating hot CPUs that then need A/C to be kept cool.

"... IBM, which continues to develop technology that could, one day, lead to zero-emission data centers. ... key ... lies in a new cooling technology that IBM is currently toying around with."

"High-performance liquid cooling allows data centers to operate with coolant temperatures above the free cooling limit in all climates, eliminating the need for chillers and allowing the thermal energy to be reused in cold climates. ..."

" ... thanks to this ... cooling technology, IBM has to use less energy than it otherwise would have ... system reuses about 75 percent of the energy initially put into it. It’s that loss of only around 25 percent that makes the whole thing so efficient."

Via: CrunchGear LINK

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"President Barack Obama  will travel to the climate summit in Copenhagen ... if the countries involved are on the verge of a deal and he thinks his presence will help to clinch agreement, ... Obama's strongest assertion yet that he will attend the meeting in Denmark to help secure a binding treaty in the fight against climate change ... "

" ... House of Representatives has passed a bill setting a 17% reduction in America's emissions from 2005 levels, and a version currently in the Senate aims for a 20% cut by 2020."

"If Obama shows up next month, he will join more than 40 heads of state and government, including prime minister Gordon Brown and others from Europe, Africa and South America who have said they will attend the talks."

Via: The Guardian LINK

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Ever wonder why office building always seem to be lit up at night ? Often if is because the lighting controls do not allow for fine lighting control .... lights are either on or off for the whole floor ... or a large portion of the floor. I recall this when I worked in office buildings past the automatic "lights out" time programmed into the lighting relays.

"Commercial office buildings are one of the main culprits of the current climate crisis ... consume large amounts of electricity and release excessive carbon emissions ... Adura Technologies has developed a mesh-based lighting system that is reducing costs and consumption inside buildings. The technology consists of wireless radios that plug into florescent light fixtures giving employees more control over their personal lighting space. ... also created a dual motion sensing-personal control system that is being used at UC Berkeley that allows students to break the hard-wired connection and control their lighting from their desktop PCs."

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LEDs lights offer longer life and less energy usage than traditional incandescent bulbs. HolidayLEDS offers a selection of energy efficient LEDS and a recycling program to safely get rid of your old lights.

"HolidayLED's ... is committed to providing the best LED holiday, Christmas and decorative lighting available ... All of our products are UL listed and Energy Star qualified. ..."

"HolidayLEDs.com has a solution (and a final resting place) for your old and inefficient incandescent Christmas lights--we'll recycling them for you ... recycling program is open now and will continue through the end of February 2010. ...the third year in a row we have operated the program and participation has increased each year. ..."

Some suggestions before you mail in your old bulbs for recycling ... " ... be sure there is not a recycling facility locally who will accept them. ... There is an environmental cost associated with shipping your lights ... cost is greatly reduced if you put your lights together with several family members, friends, neighbors, or local groups. ... Don't use packing material. The lights are going to be placed in a commercial shredder. It does not matter if they get broken ..."

Here is the link to HolidayLEDS recycling program ... LINK

Via: HolidayLEDS LINK

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Looking to add a green roof?  Lots of building are now sporting green roofs.  There are a number of environmental and economical reasons to green the roof.  A green roof can even help get a LEED certification.

"Urban Heat Island Mitigation ... Green roof vegetation helps by cooling the air, slowing air movement and acting as a substrate for pollution to settle out and detoxify. ... Noise Reduction ... Plants, soil, and air trapped in the soil are great acoustic insulators.  ... green roofs can reduce indoor sound by as much as 40 decibels ... Fire Prevention ... Succulent green roof plants help reduce the risk of fire. ..."

"Water Conservation/Reduction of Storm Water Runoff ... green roof systems acts like a sponge and absorbs excess rain water ... green roof systems can reduce runoff by up to 90+% annually ... Habitat Recreation
Plants and soil help recreate habitat for butterflies, insects, and songbirds. "

Check out LiveRoof for more information.

Via:  LiveRoof LINK

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Bio fuel from Sugar Cane is a good source of renewable energy.  Claren Power, Srlington, Virginia, works with nations rich in sugar cane to develop renewable power using bagasse - the waste material from sugar cane after the sugar has been extracted.

" ... Sugar cane bagasse, the waste pulp that remains after raw cane has been processed, has been a fuel source for decades ... much of the energy is lost to ... inefficient and unproductive technology and suboptimal operating practices ...  effectively using bagasse as a fuel source, Claren is helping to unlock the massive potential for clean and renewable power, creating huge benefits for individual mills,investors, and citizens of the developing world."

"... capitalizing on new regulations that open up national electricity markets as well as the exploding world-wide demand for certified carbon credits, Claren is able to generate tremendous returns for our clients and institutional investment partners."

On November 12, 2009 Dow and Caltech " ... announced ... a multi-year research collaboration ... in solar energy ... aimed at aligning Dow’s capabilities in CIGS based materials with Caltech’s research in next generati aterials."

" ... research ... will initially focus on direct band gap materials that incorporate elements that are less expensive and more commonly available than those used in today’s thin film PV semiconductors.  ..."

"Photovoltaics provide carbon free electricity, however the cost and aesthetics of current PV systems has limited its adoption ... Dow recently announced its first building integrated photovoltaic product, the Dow^TM POWERHOUSE^TM Solar Shingle ..."

Via:  The Dow Chemical Company LINK

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Samsung is well know for developing greener cell phones -- including the Reclaim ...

Now Samsung introduces the Blue Earth environmentally friendly green cell phone.  Unlike other green cell phones this is a full featured phone.  Among the green features are ... a solar cell for charging, low power use while in standby mode and fewer harmful materials.

" ...  Samsung Blue Earth combines the latest multimedia features ... while achieving lower energy consumption and incorporating eco-friendly materials ... made from Post Consumer Material (PCM), ... extracted from water bottles, helping to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions during the manufacturing process. ... free from harmful substances such as Brominated Flame Retardants (BFR), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and Phthalate."

" ... user interface ... designed to draw attention to preserving our fragile environment. With “Eco mode,” screen brightness, backlight duration and Bluetooth can be set to an energy-efficient mode with just one click. ... “Eco Walk” ... allows users to ... calculate the reduction in CO2 emission realized by walking as opposed to using a motor vehicle. ... allows users to see the value of walking by calculating the number of trees that have been saved."

"...  the solar panel located on the back of the phone ... can generate enough power to use the device anytime and anywhere. ..."

Via: Samsung LINK

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 "HP recognizes the important role that the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector will play in enabling carbon dioxide (CO2) reductions ... committed to reducing our own contribution to climate change as well as developing IT solutions that can help lower or reduce the release of greenhouse gases (GHG) such as CO2 into the atmosphere. ...  In most countries, buildings are the largest driver for both energy use and CO2 equivalent (CO2e) emissions. The 160 million buildings of the EU, for example, are estimated to use over 40 percent of Europe’s energy and to drive over 40 percent of its carbon dioxide emissions ..."

"HP’s Intelligent Building Competence Center (IBCC) offers the BuilDog solution for the next generation of fully managed and optimized buildings ... manage a buildings heating and cooling and electricity use as well as security, facilities, inventory, telecommunications and more. Smart management ... can result in reductions of 25-35% (in cost) through optimization of the facility as well as resource use and purchase."

Via:  HP LINK

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Along with Net ZERO energy houses folks are now talking about Net ZERO Water homes.  The idea is to be self sufficient - self sustaining and off the "water grid".

" ... Water ... requires energy to deliver, so excess use compounds our energy problems ... many renewable sources of power, such as solar, require massive amounts of water as an input, creating further pressure on limited resources."

"Net Zero water is an analogous concept to net zero energy. Through ... rainfall harvesting, aggressive conservation, and water recycling, buildings can achieve self-sufficiency from the water “grid.”"

Via:  TerraPAss  LINK

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It's always nice to save some energy (energy = money).  Sometimes these are really easy low cost ideas.  Check these out ...simple, easy and low tech ...

" ...  Put a timer on your hot-water heater ... no need for your hot water heater to keep running 24/7. ... if you're going away for a few days, turn your hot-water heater off altogether ... change the last of your old bulbs to CFLs. It's getting darker earlier, and than means we need more lighting. Be green and save energy. ... LED flashlights. ..."

Via:  SustainLane  LINK

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Here is an interesting approach toi reducing waste and CO2 at the same time.  Using fly ash (waste and high in CO2) to make bricks solves both.

Read about CalStar's  approach >>> 

" ... CalStar directly addresses global climate change and CO2 emissions ... Brick is an energy- and carbon-intensive industry ... U.S. demand for brick is almost 10 billion units in a typical year. At 1.3 pounds of CO2 per brick, the industry footprint equals almost 13 billion pounds of CO2 per year. ..."

 "Our commitment to green extends to product safety ...  to ensure they are safe throughout their lifecycle, from manufacture to placement to use (and reuse) to end-of-life disposal ...  process for making fly ash into bricks binds the materials within a strong crystalline matrix that holds even if exposed to the intense acids found in landfills. ..."

"CalStar ... promotes pragmatic solutions to climate change .... reducing the carbon footprint of cement, the biggest lever for industry has been and continues to be substitution of fly ash for CO2-intensive Ordinary Portland Cement. "

Via:  Calstar  LINK

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Help your kids have a green Halloween and help the environment at the same time with these tips from Green Halloween.

" ... nationwide organization that helps kids and parents ... rally their communities to go green on Halloween. It offers great tips for green halloween parties, games, costumes ..."

Here are the tips ... " ... (1) don’t create litter with candy wrappers. Think about how you can use them for a craft project. If you don’t want piece of candy, ... Share it with a friend or save it for later. ... (2) Use a reusable bag for Trick-or-Treating t ... (3) ... don’t drive. Walk or take your bike there instead. ... (4) Istead of buying a a new Halloween costume, see if you can make one out of old stuff instead ...(5) Don’t eat too much candy."

Via:  SustainLane  LINK

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Samsung recently announced another environmentally friendly phone.  The Blue Earth joins the Reclaim as another environmentally friendly cell phone from Samsung.

To see our blog entry on the Reclaim ... LINK

" ... Previously, eco-friendly mobiles meant lower-energy consuming ... with very limited feature sets. ... Blue Earth combines the latest multimedia features ... while achieving lower energy consumption and incorporating eco-friendly materials."

" ... is made from Post Consumer Material (PCM), which is extracted from water bottles, helping to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions ... is free from harmful substances such as Brominated Flame Retardants (BFR), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and Phthalate."

" ...  With “Eco mode,” screen brightness, backlight duration and Bluetooth can be set to an energy-efficient mode with just one click. The “Eco Walk” function allows users to count their steps with a built in pedometer and calculate the reduction in CO2 emission realized by walking ... allows users to see the value of walking by calculating the number of trees that have been saved. "

" ... packaging ... is ... compact. ... made from easy-to-recycle paper and printed in soy ink. It also suggests a simple DIY idea to reuse the package as a photo frame or a pencil box. "

" ... by charging with the solar panel located on the back of the phone, users can generate enough power to use the device anytime and anywhere. Solar energy is considered one of the most eco-friendly energy sources and it helps users reduce usage of energy from non-renewable sources. "

" ... launching in Sweden in October and will soon launch in France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Portugal and other European and Asian countries."

Via:  Samsung  LINK

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San Francisco now accepts compostable materials as part of its waste stream pick up ... there are now 3 bins:

black = trash
blue = recyclables
green = compostables

" ... designed to make recycling easier, reduce waste, and control litter. ... green cart is for all compostable items, such as food scraps and yard trimmings. ... allows San Francisco to ... achieve the state-mandated 50% recycling goal."

Acceptable for composting are food scraps, yard waste, paper and cardboard and select otehr items.  For a complete list see San Francisco COMPOSTABLES".  They accepts more than you would expect ... lots more!

Do you compost?  Why not?

I do (myself in my back yard) and it quickly turns into nice mulch ... 

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 Continuing the very green theme at SFO Airport ... you can also rent green cars ... and offers an incentive in the form of a rental discount for renting HYBRIDS.

" ...  offers the nation’s first Green Rental Car program that rewards customers for renting “green” alternative-fueled vehicles. ... rent hybrid cars ... such as the Honda Civic Hybrid, Nissan Altima Hybrid or Toyota PRIUS will receive a $15 discount at the counter."

" ... estimated that more than 4,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year will be eliminated through the implementation of this program."

" ... 10 percent of the rental car fleet ... is comprised of high-mileage cars—such as the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Ford Focus—in addition to alternative-fuel cars. ... SFO hopes to increase the total number of these cars to greater than 15 percent."

Via:  San Francisco Int'l Airport  LINK

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San Francisco International (SFO) is committed to being green.  They have efforts underway to reduce their environmental impact by reducing noise, reducing global warming and preserving natural resources like air and water.

" ...  recognize the importance that environmental sustainability plays in helping achieve this goal ... committed to drastically reducing its environmental impact over the next decade.  ... working to reduce contributions to global warming, improve air and water quality, reduce noise impacts, and preserve natural resources."

SFO now offers the Climate Passport program; a way to help travelers reduce their travel carbon footprint by purchasing offsets.  

Here is how it works ... " ... drop by a kiosk that will calculate the carbon impact of your travel ... buy offsets from the kiosk manager, 3Degrees, ... Some of the money will also go to the San Francisco Carbon Fund ... offsets purchased ... are verified by the Climate Action Registry."

Check out the interactive carbon calculator ...

On Sunday Oct 18, the cost for a carbon offset for a round trip flight from Philadelphia to San Francisco and back would cost $22.82 and off set 3,727 lbs of CO2.

Posted by Green Dude at 11:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

White roofs are the "hot" thing in roofing ... allowing for a lowed burden on a/c systems.

But dark colored roofs can bring solar gain to warm buildings ... if only roof tiles were smart enough to know ...

The next "hot" thing in roofing might be roofing that can change color based on outdoor temperature to maximize or minimize solar gain.

"MIT researchers have developed roof tiles that change color based on the temperature, turning white when it’s hot to deflect heat and turning black when it’s cold to absorb it ... the tiles can reflect about 80 percent of sunlight when they’re white and 30 percent of sunlight when they’re black. ... white state ... could save as much as 20 percent of present cooling costs ..."

" ... system ... made of a ... polymer in a water solution ... encapsulated between flexible plastic layers, with a dark layer at the back. When the temperature is above a certain level ... the polymer  ... produce a white surface and scatter light.  ... Below that temperature, the polymer stays dissolved, revealing the tile’s black backing and absorbing the sun’s heat ..."

Via: SmartPlanet LINK

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Sometime low tech is the way to go ... painting a flat roof white can reduce the A/C load on a building and keep it cooler ...

This low tech solution " ... can act much like earth's snow covered poles; reflecting the sun’s light and heat as opposed to absorbing it ... keeps buildings cooler, reducing the problem of urban heat islands and saving energy (and money). ... we could counteract global warming simply by increasing the Earth’s total reflective surface. ..."

" ... Changing from a dark shingle ... to a light-colored (titanium-based white or terra cotta red) shingle can cut air conditioning costs by up to 40%. Georgia has been a leader in pushing cool roofs, passing a state law encouraging the shift. ... other states and regions also provide incentives, and the federal government is considering adding heat reflectivity requirements to housing regulations. "

Via:  WorldChanging  LINK  and LINK

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Oberlin College's Living Machine® is a waste water treatment system that teaches students how nature purified water for years ... but is unlike most modern systems.

"Invented by Dr. John Todd, of Living Machines, Inc. ... Wastewater flows from the building into two underground reactors ... an anaerobic biological process begins digestion of the wastes.  ... wastewater flows through two closed aerobic reactors ... where the remaining organic compounds are further degraded. ...[then] ... enters the Living Machine® solarium and flows through three open aerobic reactors. ... plants such as papyrus, calla lilies and willows root into the planted aerobic reactors and assist in the treatment process."

" ... biosolids are settled out of the wastewater in a clarifier. ... then flows through a constructed wetland surrounding the open aerobic tanks for final ‘polishing.’ Ultraviolet disinfection is the final step prior to the treated wastewater being reused in the buildings’ toilets."

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I heard about recycled blue jeans being used as building insulation at the 2009 Solar Decathlon in DC this past Saturday (Oct 10th).

"UltraTouch Natural Cotton Fiber insulation ... revolutionary patented manufacturing process that has created a superior and safe product. ... made from high quality natural fibers. ... DOES NOT ITCH and is very easy to handle and work with."

" ... contains no chemical irritants ... requires no warning labels ... no VOC concerns ... it is safe for you and the environment."

" ... meets the highest ASTM testing standards for fire and smoke ratings, fungi resistance and corrosiveness. ... contains 85% post-industrial recycled natural fibers making it an ideal choice for anyone looking to use a high quality sustainable building material."

 " ... available to purchase nationally on The Home Depot website or through your local distributor."

Via:  Bonded Logic  LINK

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The Dow Chemical company is active in the green energy space with several innovative products.  They recently announced their entry into the solar cell market with the " ... POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingle, ... panels in the form of solar shingles that can be integrated into rooftops with standard asphalt shingle materials. ... expected to be available in limited quantities by mid-2010 and ... more widely available in 2011, ..."

"... integrates low-cost, thin-film CIGS photovoltaic cells into a proprietary roofing shingle design, ... design reduces installation costs because the conventional roofing shingles and solar generating shingles are installed simultaneously by roofing contractors ..."

"... addresses two of the biggest challenges associated with solar power – cost and acceptance. "

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CDs are a great way to store lots of data in a small place ... and take up much less space when tossed in the trash then VHS cartridge.  Now you can easily recycle CDs and DVDs along with lots of other media at GreenDisk.

Read on for more ...

" ... responsibly and securely dispose of ... your computer-related waste, spent supplies and obsolete accessories.  GreenDisk handles all your technotrash disposal needs ... destroy your old data, recover reusable components, and recycle all of the rest of your accumulated technotrash - all at your convenience, at home or at work." 

I really love their tag line is " GreenDisk:  because good planets are hard to find. "

Via:  GreenDisk  LINK

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Change yourself - change the world.  The No Impact Project " ... is an international, environmental, nonprofit project ... inspired by the No Impact Man book, film, and blog."

" ...  empower citizens to make choices which better their lives and lower their environmental impact through lifestyle change, community action, and participation in environmental politics. ...  Living low-impact provides a clear entry point into the environmental movement. ..."

Goals are to "Promote behavioral change .... Enable the public ... Engage people who are not already tree-hugging, bicycle-riding, canvas-bag-toting, eco-warriors ..."

Via:  No Impact Project LINK

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Learn more about Green building and design trends .... see booths, vendors, exhibits ... listen to seminars and speeches and see demonstrations.

 Open to industry professionals on Thursday Oct 8th and the public on Friday Oct 9th at the Edison NJ Convention and Expo Center.

The Green Dude and Green Tech visited this same show earlier in the year in Philadelphia and found it both interesting and worth the time to attend ... we may try to get to this one as well ...

Via:  GoGreenExpo  Link

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" ... Coca-Cola Company and United Resource Recovery Corporation (URRC) ...  celebrate the grand opening of the world's largest plastic bottle-to-bottle recycling plant in Spartanburg, S.C. ... a key milestone in our goal to recycle and reuse 100 percent of our bottles and cans in the U.S. and ensure the sustainability of our packaging ..."

When fully operational, the plant will produce approximately 100 million pounds of food-grade recycled PET plastic each year -- the equivalent of nearly two billion 20-ounce Coca-Cola bottles. ... Over the next ten years the plant will prevent the release of one million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions -- the equivalent of removing 215,000 cars from the road. ..."

Via:  Coca Cola  LINK

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 Samsung unveils a very green phone ... the casing is made of biodegradable plastic made from corn.

" ... SAMSUNG Reclaim™ is the first phone in the U.S. made with bio-plastic materials, which are 100% biodegradable. ... comes with an Energy Star-approved charger. ... packaging is made with recycled materials. ...  Bio-Plastic materials make up 40% of the phone’s casing. "

And because cell phones are made of hard to recycle innards Samsung offers easy recycling.  "... commitment to a greener future doesn't end when our products are sold. We have fixed drop-off locations in all 50 states, making it easy for you to recycle your old Samsung TVs, camcorders and other electronics."

Click to find a recycling location near you.

Via:  Samsung  LINK

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Composting is a way to reduce demand on landfills and create great soil for plants in your own back yard. Composting can even reduce the number of trash pickups you need and might save you some money .... going from twice a week to once a week. It's good for you and good for the environment. Want to learn more about composting? check out BPI ... " ... a not-for-profit association ... from government, industry and academia ... Through our innovative "Compostable Label" we educate manufacturers, legislators and consumers about the importance of "Scientific standards for biodegradation" for biodegradable materials. ... promote the use and recovery of compostable materials through municipal and backyard composting." " ... the amount of waste that has been diverted from landfill disposal through composting has quadrupled since 1990, from 2% of total MSW to 8.4% today ... 62% of all yard trimmings are composted in more than 3,500 municipal yard trimming composting programs in the US and 23 states ban at least some organics disposal in landfills, mostly leaves, grass and other yard debris. "

Via:  BPI - Biodegradable Products Institute LINK

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 " ... Coca-Cola ... unveiled ... a new plastic bottle made partially from plants.  The "PlantBottle™" is fully recyclable, has a lower reliance on a non-renewable resource, and reduces carbon emissions, compared with petroleum-based PET plastic bottles."

" ... a significant development in sustainable packaging innovation ... builds on our legacy of environmental ingenuity and sets the course for us to realize our vision to eventually introduce bottles made with materials that are 100 percent recyclable and renewable." 

"... made from a blend of petroleum-based materials and up to 30 percent plant-based materials. ...  process that turns sugar cane and molasses ... into a key component for PET plastic.  ... exploring the use of other plant materials for future generations of the "PlantBottle™."

" ...  analysis ... indicates the "PlantBottle™" with 30 percent plant-base material reduces carbon emissions by up to 25 percent, compared with petroleum-based PET... can be processed through existing manufacturing and recycling facilities without contaminating traditional PET. "

Via:  Coka-Cola  LINK

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"International Paper ... seek ways to improve our environmental impact while creating better solutions for our customers. ... partner with companies who share our values. ... goal is to create packaging made from fully renewable resources that leave a smaller environmental footprint. ... first step is ecotainer® - ... line of BPI certified compostable packaging ... includes paper hot cups, paper cold cups, food containers, ...  ecotainer® uses a plastic lining made from plants. All products are compostable ..."

Via:  International Paper  LINK

Continue reading "ecotainer® by International Paper" »

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Good Energy is a British " ... independent renewable energy company based in Wiltshire. ... started by a group of people ... committed to addressing climate change."

" ... Mission ... is to fight climate change by EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS to make a difference, ... giving them practical ways to make positive changes in their attitude towards energy, and the way they use it ... switching to pure 100% renewable electricity ... improving their energy efficiency ... generating their own renewable energy, and ... playing a part in the campaign for

renewable energy in the UK"

Via: GoodEnergy LINK

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... "Kodak NexPress prints eco friendly pictures using nontoxic dry inks that are easily removed for recycling. " ...

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So you are going on a trip and want to be green and rent a hybrid.  Sounds easy enough ... except that only approximately 1% of the rental fleet consist of hybrids.

"Booking a hybrid rental car can be a big hassle. To boost your chance of scoring one of these green rides, follow Budget Travel's advice in four easy steps ...".

For the Video "How to Rent a Hybrid" click the LINK ...

Via: BudgetTravel  Link

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As both wind and solar power are intermittent - unlike gas, coal, oil or nuclear fired power plants - there is a need for an effective way to store these energy sources until they are needed.  The ability to smooth the supply with the demand is becoming more important as solar and wind start to power the grid.

Compressed Air Energy Storage - CAES " ... stores off-peak energy, in the form of compressed air in an underground reservoir, and releases this energy during peak hours. ... used for load management of intermittent renewable energy resources or as a stand-alone intermediate generation source for capturing energy arbitrage, capacity payments and ancillary services. ..."

"Renewable power sources are critical to addressing climate change. CAES greatly enhances the value of renewable power sources by (1) storing energy produced by renewables when demand is low and releasing it when it is needed, and by (2) rapidly providing power in the event of a sudden loss of renewables generation. ..."

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The Omega Center for Sustainable Living in Rhinebeck, NY is " ... a state-of-the art education center and natural wastewater treatment facility. "

" ... is a pioneering project in the Living Building Challenge and is expected to be the first building in the United States to receive the Living Building designation in addition to receiving LEED Platinum certification."

" ... the Living Building Challenge requires buildings to be informed by their eco-region's characteristics; generate all of their own energy with renewable resources; capture and treat all of their water; operate efficiently; and be designed for maximum beauty. ... six performance areas—site, energy, materials, water, indoor quality, and beauty & inspiration—and certain criteria to be met in each category in order for a building to be designated a Living Building."

Via:  Omega Center for Sustainable Living  LINK

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" ... Mohawk has been an industry leader in actively seeking innovative ways to recycle, reduce, reuse and renew. ... successful energy-saving initiatives and eco-friendly flooring options work for everyone ..."

Mohawk's environmentally responsible and sustainable approach to business is reflected in these numbers ...

"500: ... number of ... products ... containing recycled materials."
"3 Billion:  ... recycled plastic bottles we take in each year to manufacture ... carpet ... and other ... products."
"1.75 Billion: Pounds of pre- and post-consumer waste Mohawk diverts from landfills each year."
"1 Billion: Pounds of foam trim ... made into ... cushion  instead of taking up space in landfills."

Via:  Mohawk  LINK

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Lawrence Township joins other communities that want to promote green aspects of their community and are working toward that end ...

"Sustainable Lawrence is... dedicated to creating a sustainable community in Lawrence Township, NJ. ...  community in which the present needs of all of its citizens are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs ... "

" ... policies and practices that ultimately ... Reduce ... fossil fuel dependence and wasteful use of scarce metals and minerals ... Reduce ... dependence on harmful chemicals and wasteful use of synthetic substances ... Minimize ... encroachment upon nature (e.g., land, water, wildlife, forests, soil, ecosystems) ..."

Via:  Sustainable Lawrence LINK

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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."

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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle with Oak Hall Industries.

They have a selection of eco-friendly 100% recycled graduation gowns.  Each gown is made from approx. 23 plastic bottles helping to reduce landfill space and reusing materials.

" ... Colleges and Universities are making the commitment to turn their campuses green. ... this movement can be carried forward to graduation. "

" ... new line of graduation wear, named "GreenWeaver" is made of fabric spun from molten plastic pellets. ... fabric so comfortably soft you have to feel it to believe it! It takes an average of 23 bottles to make each gown."

Via:  Oak Hall Industries Link

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It is amazing that there are so many energy using  devices in our homes.  What many fail to realize is that some devices, like TVs, and PCs may still be drawing power when "turned off".

You can save energy by changing the type of appliance - if old it may be worth upgrading to an energy efficient (Energy Star) model.

Sometimes you just need to "turn if off".  Sometimes you can made simple substitutions like CFL for incandescent bulbs.

Read on for the 5 Big Energy Hogs in your home ... and how to ZAP them !

" ...  Turn down your thermostat to 68 or 69 degrees in fall and winter, and to 76 in the summer ... Heating and cooling are the top uses of energy ... consider upgrading ... to Energy Star ..."

" ... refrigerator runs constantly. It can pay off to recycle your current model and buy a new EnergyStar rated model."

" ... likely have an inefficient hot water tank  ... tankless water heater ... save energy and money by not keeping water hot 24/7. Rather ... heat your water when you demand ... make sure your tank heater and the pipes supplying the water to it are insulated."

" ... swap out the incandescent bulbs in the most used areas of your home ... replace them with CFLs. Here’s a trick you may not have heard of for CFLs: once you’ve installed the fluorescent bulb, turn on the light and leave it on for at least 15 minutes. Doing so “burns in” the lamp, which improves its function, and its lifespan. ... dispose of them properly when they burn out in 7 years!"

Via:  SustainLane  LINK

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Penn's Class of 2010 will wear gowns made of recycled plastic bottles to graduation.  Each of the approx. 2,500 gowns are made the with the equivalent of 23 plastic bottles.

" ... GreenWeaver line of regalia by Oak Hall Cap & Gown, ... is Penn’s latest greening effort. ... adorn its Class of 2010 seniors in gowns and caps made of 100 percent, post-consumer recycled plastic bottles."

“Penn will begin this academic year announcing our Climate Action Plan, the long-range strategy to reduce our carbon footprint ... Part of that effort is to partner with vendors that promote eco-friendly options. "

" ... fabric will be spun from molten plastic pellets, ... average of 23 bottles needed to make each gown. Recycled plastic bottles are already used to make sweatshirts and other clothing, the company said, and the result is apparel virtually indistinguishable in color, feel or fit from traditional polyester material."

Via:  University of Penn LINK

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The Great Valley School District (Chester County, PA) is the FIRST school district to switch to B20 biodiesel for its bus fleet.  B20 is a blend of 20% bio fuel and 80% diesel.

" ... assistance from The Energy Cooperative to make the transition to B20 and a state grant to pay for the added cost ... received a $28,340 Alternative Incentive Fuels Grant (AFIG) ... to pay for the incremental cost of using biodiesel ... estimates it will use approximately 130,000 gallons of B20 ..."

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 Prairie Bunkers LLC is repurposing WWII ammunition depots into secure energy efficient data centers.  These structures are built to withstand force 5 tornadoes.

In addition to the green aspect of repurposing an existing building ... there are others green features.

"Saves approximately 5000 cubic tons of carbon emission which would be produced by construction of a similar structure ... electrical provider .... has a high percentage of renewable energy, including hydro, wind and nuclear ... On-site solar and wind energy systems in planning stages ... Air Economizers to use “free cooling” from average annual temperature of 54 degrees ... Optional active geothermal ... heat pump system ... Passive Geothermal, provided by the bermed earth covering on three sides and top of bunkers ..."

" .... Native vegetation landscaping minimizes irrigation ... Fire suppression agent has zero carbon foot print ... UPS Options including flywheel technology ... Recycled building products including flooring tiles and cable trays ..."

Via:  Prairie Bunkers, LLC LINK

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Gainesville Regional Utilities, Gainesville, Florida's utility pormots solar and offers assistance to businesses and residences that will install solar.

" ... energy-producing solar panels in Gainesville has skyrocketed since the city implemented its new solar incentive program ... waiting list for the program - which is the first solar feed-in tariff in the United States and offers above-market-rate prices for electricity produced by privately owned and installed solar panels - now stretches until 2016."

Via: GRU.com  LINK

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 The constant temperature of fluids deep (say 200 - 400 feet deep) can be used for heating and cooling.  Check out this geothermally cooled ACT data center in Iowa.

" ... new data center for American College Testing in Iowa City, Iowa ... becomes the first data center in the U.S. to complete LEED Platinum certification. ...  data center opened in February 2008 ... 4,000 square feet of raised-floor ... within an 8,000 square foot building ... geothermal “bore field” - a system of vertical holes drilled into the earth’s surface which house a closed-loop piping system filled with water and/or coolant. ..."

" ... other environmentally-friendly attributes include a high performance HVAC system, 30% recycled content during construction, and numerous renewable materials used in the interior design. ..."

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Welcome to the 1st 100 % Wind Powered City in the U.S. !!

Rock Port, Missouri get's its renewable energy from

" ... four wind turbines ... within the city limits ... Rock Port uses approximately 13 million kilowatt hours of electricity each year ... predicted that ... turbines will produce 16 million kilowatt hours each year."

"Excess ... electricity ... is expected to be move onto the transmission lines to be purchased by the Missouri Joint Municipal Utilities for use in other areas.

"A map published by the U.S. Department of Energy indicates that northwest Missouri has the state's highest concentration of wind resources and contains a number of locations potentially suitable for utility-scale wind development."

Via: ScienceDaily LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 06:12 AM | Permalink

The small German town of Dardesheim (fewer than 1,000) and neighbors in Halberstadt in what was East Germany "... want to become 100% renewable using solar, wind, and biomass."

" ... Four pioneering wind turbines were installed in the mid-1990s, collectively producing one million kWh per year ..."

"In 2006 they developed a 62 MW wind project comprising 28 Enercon E70s and one E112, a giant 6 MW turbine ... wind turbines will generate from 120 to 130 million kWh annually, enough to meet the needs of nearly all the 80,000 residents of the county."

" ... also installed nine different solar PV plants ... During their first year of operation the combined 380 kW of solar PV generated nearly 250,000 kWh, about one-third of the Dardesheim's domestic electricity consumption."

Via: Wind-Works LINK

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Animal manure is a natural by-product of raising animals ... and needs to be disposed of properly.  Improperly disposed of it can pollute water and make a smelly mess. 

Here is a way to reduce waste and re-use the manure to make enerty.

... world’s largest biomass power plant running exclusively on chicken manure has opened in the Netherlands .... will deliver renewable electricity to 90,000 households ... capacity of 36.5 megawatts, and will generate more than 270 million kWh of electricity per year."

" ... more than merely “carbon neutral” ... If ... spread out over farm land, it would release not only CO2, but also methane, a very potent greenhouse gas. ..."

" ... will utilize approximately 440,000 tons of chicken manure, roughly one third of the total amount produced each year in the Netherlands. ... European countries ... suffer under an excess of different types of animal manure that pollute the environment."

Via:  Meatefficient LINK

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Here are some energy saving tips from the New Belgium Brewery in Fort Collins, Colorado. Check out earlier posts about this GREEN and environmentally friendly brewery.

For the rest of the list, more details on the items listed and more info about this environmentally friendly brewery ... follow the link at the end of this post.

"Hang your clothes out to dry ... clothing-dryer is the 2nd-most energy consumptive household appliance after the refrigerator ... if you don’t have space for an outdoor clothesline there are indoor racks that are compact and work like a charm."

"Put on a sweater ... When the temperatures drop, ... put on some soft booties, and sip a steamy hot drink. It’ll make you feel all warm and fuzzy."

"Drink tap water ... Shipping bottled water around the world in plastic bottles burns a heap of fuel, pollutes our air, and puts more plastic into an increasingly plastic-sheathed world. ... if tap water is not up to your standards, there are ... filters available at much more affordable prices than the cost of purchasing bottled water."

"Use your own shopping bag ... asked, “Paper or plastic?” say, “Neither, I have my own bags.”



Via: New Belgium Brewing LINK

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