“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
"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
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
" … 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
Norway’s Statkraft is looking at osmosis as a possible energy source. Currently the output is minimal but it may be the way of the future.
" … Norway’s Statkraft says that its new, first-of-
its-kind osmotic power plant could be producing as much energy as a small wind farm by 2015, … when the process of osmosis takes place … the pressure is apparently enough to drive a power generating turbine … enough of those you have a power plant. A bit of effort, to be sure, but the process doesn’t emit any greenhouse gases, is completely renewable, and it doesn’t depend on the wind or the sun being out."
Via: Engadget LINK
"Pratt & Whitney Power Systems … recently demonstrated a mobile geothermal power generation unit at the 2009 Geothermal Energy Expo in Reno, Nev. … PureCycle® technology allows customers to relocate valuable energy generating capability from one geothermal or waste heat resource to another as circumstances dictate. …"
" … system can generate electricity from various heat sources with temperatures between 190 and 325 degrees Fahrenheit …."
" … new feature is the self-contained cooling system that uses resource water to replenish the cooling tower water, thus eliminating the need for a separate fresh water source … demonstrates how low temperature geothermal technology that can diversify the nation’s energy supply with base load renewable energy while creating jobs and economic benefits."
Via: United Technologies Corp. LINK
RecycleMania 2010 started on Jan 17th, 2010 and ends March 10th, 2010. In these 10 weeks participating schools compete to see who collects the largest quantity of recyclables PER CAPITA and in several other categories.
" … record number of colleges and universities across the United States, Canada and as far away as Qatar, have begun collecting their recycling and trash weights as part of the first two weeks of trials … "
" … a friendly competition and benchmarking tool for college and university recycling programs to promote waste reduction activities to their campus communities…. ranked according to who collects the largest amount of recyclables per capita, the largest amount of total recyclables, the least amount of trash per capita, or … highest recycling rate. …"
Good luck to all and there really are no losers in this competition !
Via: RecycleMania LINK
For a link to participating schools CLICK
In my local area Temple University, Villanova University and West Chester University are participating.
Via: RecycleMania LINK
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
There is a new Green building in NYC – at the southern tip of Manhattan in Battery Park City. Read about the Visionaire – it is one very green building – though a very expensive place to live with pricing startling at just under $700,000 and going to a little over $6 million.
" … the Visionaire … a testing ground for urban green architecture."
"… All building fixtures reduce use of potable water, and a blackwater treatment system means that all toilet water in the building is recycled, treated wastewater. Stormwater collection reserves irrigate the green roofs, which cover 70 percent of the roof surface … a natural gas-powered microturbine on the structure’s roof harnesses its own waste energy to heat water."
" … saves an estimated 42 percent in energy costs against a base-line average. This is largely the result of efficient building systems and the building envelope … goal was achieved through exhaustive attention to detail … "
According to an article on the Jan 24th, 2010 Philadelphia Inquirer the building is LEED Platinum Certified.
Via: Greensource LINK
This video shows interactively the carbon footrprint of two food choices – a cheesburger and a chicen sandwich. Knowing this which would you choose?
Via: SmartPlanet LINK
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
"A 200kW UTC Power fuel cell … at the new Connecticut Science Center in Hartford … will generate 100 percent of the electricity demanded by the facility on an annual basis once operational … will be the first such facility to generate most of its own energy on-site with ultra clean, quiet fuel cell power."
" … reduce the burden on the New England power grid and its impact on the environment … will prevent the release of more than 270 metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually by using the Model 200 PureCell® system rather than relying on a traditional fossil-fuel-burning powerplant … one of the first fuel cell installations in the state to employ net metering, a process by which surplus power from the fuel cell is fed to the utility grid at night when the facility’s power demand is less."
Via: United Technologies Corp. LINK
The 18th Annual Conference … is the premier event of the Composting and Organics Recycling industries, providing industry professionals with educational, networking, and career advancement opportunities."
" … the Wyndham Resort in Orlando, Florida, will attract the largest group of composting and organics professionals in the country to participate in a comprehensive program of workshops, training courses, and educational and technical sessions designed specifically to provide you with the information needed to solve your composting challenges."
" … Compost increase the health of our soils, grow healthier plants, counteract the production of greenhouse gases, and reduce the pollution of our rivers, lakes, streams and wetlands … Annual conference provides training and education on a wide variety of topics, such as facility operations, selling compost, handling difficult odors and other environmental issues at facilities, and effecting positive public policy change."
Via: US Composting Council LINK
" … SUpports many programs, including the Seal of Testing Assurance (STA), the Test Methods for the Examination of Composting and Compost (TMECC), the Compost Analysis Proficiency Program (CAP), International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) and the Biodegradable Logo project."
Via: US Composting Council LINK
" … data center developer Verne Global … announced it is constructing the first international data center in Iceland … converting a former NATO command center into a data center."
" … designed to take full advantage of Iceland’s infrastructure and environment … the data center, whose total footprint is about 430,600 square feet, will be designed around LEED Gold standards … will deploy innovative practices of HVAC and adaptive reuse of the world-class facilities already in place."
" … will benefit from the large amount of free cooling available in Iceland, as well as its renewable energy sources and constant power rates."
" … Verne Global is breaking new ground in using Iceland’s natural green resources to mitigate both increasing emissions and rising energy costs."
Via: Web Host Industry Review LINK
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."
" … powered by a 400-kilowatt UTC Power fuel cell and a rooftop solar installation that will generate most of the store’s power and all of its hot water needs …"
In a recent package from amazon I noticed that the packaging was a little different. Until this package the plastic air filled wrap was made of #2 recyclable plastic. This was made of #4, recyclable and Biodegradable. The manufacturer is Intertape Polymer Group … read on for more … 
" … 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
"The oxo-biodegradable air pillow film contains an additive that initiates chemical breakdown of the polymer chains much more quickly and completely than a standard film when in the presence of oxygen and heat or UV light … the molecular components can be consumed by micro-organisms … biodegradation leaves only water, carbon dioxide, biomass and small quantities of minerals that will be assimilated into the ecosystem."
"… one of the advantages of oxo-biodegradable films is the ease of recycling through mainstream recycling services. Unfortunately, not all products make it to recycling or even waste receptacles resulting in litter. An oxo-biodegradable air pillow that is discarded into the environment is much more likely to undergo the biodegradation process."
Via: Intertape Polymer Group LINK
Fluxxlab has an idea to harness the "energy" in revolving doors. Already an energy saver compared to traditional doors in office buildings … these could generate significsant power in large building with hundreds of workers.
" … work to date has been focused on sustainable energy harvesting, specifically in the form of converting small amounts of human energy into electricity …"
"… Revolution Door is a modified revolving … a redesigned central core replacing that of any existing or new revolving door, a mechanical/electrical system that harnesses human energy and redistributes electricity to an output, and an output device that maps the harnessed energy … the Revolution Door will directly communicate a single person’s contribution to an energy cycle possible through the metabolic relationship between people, technology, and architecture."
Via: Fluxxlab LINK
In addition to being know for its green efforts (solar panels and highly efficient servers) Google is possibly entering ther power business by applying for a license to buy and sell wholesale power.
"… are other non-utilities already in the power business. Usually other firms with similar heavy power needs. … Google Energy subsidiary was formed in late 2009 … putting it into a stronger position to balance Google’s energy needs with its goal to promote the use of alternative energy for electricity generation … it will shop for the best sources of renewable energy to run its operations … stated goal is to become carbon-neutral."
Via: ZDNet LINK
"Green Pack is an importer and wholesaler specializing in environmentally sustainable products. We supply biodegradable and compostable tableware and packaging, and a fantastic new range of non-toxic, petrochemical free wax crayons and paper twine."
"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
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