CustomEarthPromos - Eco Blog US

The authorities in South Florida have worked toward making the city more eco-friendly in the recent times, and have achieved an impressive number of 200 eco-friendly commercial buildings this year. These buildings have been given a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification which specifies that they have eco-friendly elements such as energy efficient water systems, recycled materials, and alternative sources of energy used in them. These buildings range between the platinum, gold, and silver LEED certification, and are a source of inspiration to upcoming commercial spaces as well. Eco-Friendly Buildings in South Florida According to experts, at present there are approximately 200 buildings in South Florida that have received their certification from LEED. The building that has earned the 200th certificate is the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience. This building has received a gold level U.S Green Building Council certification. According to Paul Carty, a local chapter President, companies that have been making efforts to deliver eco friendly promotional items through their activities need to be applauded. Commercial spaces that have been designed using eco-friendly elements help in saving natural resources and also provide a healthy atmosphere for the residential spaces next to them. So such architecture need to be given more credit, he added. Government Encouraging Eco-Friendly Buildings and Green Businesses According to experts, the governmental agencies are encouraging the construction of eco-friendly buildings within the various cities. This is because the waste produced from commercial spaces needs to be disposed by the governmental agencies at the city level. Eco-friendly buildings have lesser waste production. So by encouraging eco-friendly construction, the government is trying to save up on their maintenance costs as well. Eco-friendly buildings are also gaining popularity as they help in reducing recurring costs as well. Before the recession hit the U.S market, most private and small level ventures made efforts to construct eco-friendly buildings. However, after the recession, even large companies joined this trend in an effort to try and cut down on recurring costs. According to Mike Pella, an engineer from Kamm Consulting, eco-friendly buildings have a direct impact on the electricity bills, water bills, and other recurring costs as well. Thus, major corporations have started constructing eco-friendly buildings. A green certification raises the company's reputation in the eyes of the customers or the clients. So such a certification is a good way to save on costs, and is a good advertising medium as well. Source

Holiday season brings a lot of joy and merriment in everyone's lives, but it is also the season with the highest level of waste disposal. To help curb the waste generated during the holiday season, an organization in Opelika, named Keep Opelika Beautiful, has taken up the initiative to recycle Christmas trees. Once the holiday season is over, most households will dispose their Christmas trees. But this year, the organization will help the residents in Opelika to dispose the trees in an eco-friendly manner. Christmas Trees - The initiative by Keep Opelika Beautiful (KOB) Keep Opelika Beautiful has been recycling Christmas trees since the past ten years. This organization collects the trees from the residents in the city, and then transports them to various recycling units where the trees are recycled into various eco friendly promotional items. This year, the organization will conduct this activity on December 29, at the Opelika Chamber of Commerce. The residents can drop off their Christmas trees at the venue till 12 in the afternoon. According to the Director of Keep Opelika Beautiful, Tipi Colley Miller, every year multiple Christmas trees are disposed into waste disposal landfills, and these trees take a long time to decompose there. At present, landfills are overpopulated with several waste products. So the residents need to make efforts to try and lower the burden on the waste disposal landfills. This is the primary reason as to why KOB thought of starting this initiative to recycle Christmas trees. At the day of the recycling event, Keep Opelika Beautiful will also receive support from the Opelika Tree Commission. To encourage recycling among the residents, the Opelika Tree Commission will distribute dogwood seedling among all the residents who participate in this event. Once the residents reach the venue, the volunteers will help them in removing all the decorations from the tree, and collect the trees from them. Kob Encouraging Eco-Friendly Christmas Trees and Promotional Items The trees that are collected from this event will be recycled into various products. Some of them will also be distributed in the city for landscaping projects and erosion purposes. Additionally, they will be used by fishermen to help them get a good catch. According to Miller, the fishermen can lower these trees into ponds and other water bodies, so the fish will start nesting in them. Thus, the fishermen can position themselves in a spot with a lot of fish catches with the help of the tree. Source

To encourage the usage of reusable bags among the residents, the Alameda city council is distributing promotional reusable bags within the city. The city council has noticed that in the past few years, the landfills meant for waste disposal, within the county, have suffered drastically due to the increased usage of plastic bags. So, the council is taking up the initiative to distribute free reusable shopping bags among the residents to help them adapt to eco-friendly bags instead of plastic bags. The ban on the usage of plastic bags In the month of January 2013, the city council will ban the usage of plastic bags within the city limits. The Alameda County Waste Management authorities resorted to this option to try and reduce the litter within the city limits and to help save up on the expensive costs on disposing the litter. According to experts, 60 percent of the litter collected comprises plastic materials or plastic bags. So, putting a ban on the usage of plastic bags will drastically reduce the burden on the landfills where the plastic waste is currently disposed. From the month of January 2013, all the food and liquor stores in the Alameda County, including grocery stores, pharmacies, mini marts, and convenience stores will stop providing their customers with single-use plastic bags. Instead the shoppers will have to bring along a reusable bag with them, or they can purchase a reusable bag from the store at minimal prices. A single reusable bag will be able to replace around 600 plastic bags that are used within a household on a yearly basis. So, the city council has decided to distribute free reusable bags among the residents. According to this initiative, every household will be given one reusable bag. These free bags will be distributed at the City Hall, specifically the Public Works Counter within the hall. The City Hall is located in the Newark Boulevard. Advantages of using promotional reusable bags Reusable bags are beneficial to use as they are eco-friendly in nature. So, when individuals choose to dispose these bags, they can be recycled into other products or into bags again. Additionally, if the residents use reusable bags over plastic bags, the city council will save up on a lot of money that is presently spent on disposing plastic waste materials. So, the city council can use this additional money on projects that will help improve the facilities within the county. Source: http://newark.patch.com/articles/city-gives-free-reusable-bag-to-residents

To promote eco-friendly gifting this holiday season, a unique market of eco friendly promotional items was organized in Westport, Connecticut. The sale in the market continued for a span of three days. There was a variety of shops selling unique and innovative eco-friendly products. Most of the stalls in the market were put up by the local vendors in the area. A Market with a Twist in Westport According to Opala Avdiu, a resident in the Westport locality, the market had an amazing range of products. There were many stalls that were selling items such jewelry, crystal decoration pieces, and skin care products. The market had suitable gifts for all ages and the products displayed in it were affordable as well, she added. The Various Eco-Friendly Promotional Items at the Westport Market The market had a lot of eco-friendly products to meet the needs of various people. Some of the popular picks at the market were beautiful handcrafted jewelry, confectionery delights, beautiful crystal pieces, and other home accessories. According to Avdiu, the handcrafted jewelry designed by Trades of Hope, a locally based vendor, was a popular choice among the customers. This stall also had beautiful eco-friendly tote bags, home accessories, and scarves for women. The products at Trades of Hope are designed by female artisans, and the organization ensures that they pay them a fair amount of compensation for their creative designs. Aside from Trades of Hope, the stall that received a lot of positive response was the Sweet and Sour Creations. This stall sold sweet treats made by children. This organization has food products made by three children, and they use only natural ingredients to make their products. Some of their popular products include cookies, fudge, and toffees. A unique stall at the market was that of Boyd Wellness. The owner of this business, Jennifer Boyd-Mullineaux, showcased crystals at her stall. According to her, these crystals have healing qualities in them. Along with these crystals, the owner also showcased a unique water filtration system at the market. Some of the other companies that were appreciated at the market were Bodha Skin and Hartha Healing. Bodha Skin, founded by Brittany Chamberlin Martin, is an enterprise that sells natural beauty products for all ages and genders. Some of their popular products are hand care lotions and facial creams. In addition to this, a range of eco-friendly pillows was showcased at the market by Claudine Maidique. Source: http://westport.dailyvoice.com/business/eco-friendly-holiday-marketplace-pops-westport

Recently, a bill that addressed the issue of usage of plastic bags was passed in the New Jersey Legislature. This bill proposes that the issue of plastic bags should be dealt with by introducing an incentive system. According to the bill, the retailers are supposed to give their customers a certain amount of rebate for using promotional reusable bags and not plastic bags. More on the New Jersey Bill This bill has been approved by the Senate Environmental Committee. According to the bill, every retailer is obligated to give its eco-friendly customers or customers who opt to use eco friendly reusable bags, a 5 cent rebate. While on the other hand, the retailers need to charge 5 cents extra from all the customers who opt for plastic bags over reusable bags. A similar bill was also passed in Washington D.C. around three years back. Since the implementation of the law in Washington D.C., the number of plastic bags that were previously disposed in the Anacostia River and the nearby regions was reduced drastically. The Need to Encourage Promotional Reusable Bags in New Jersey The interim Director at the district's Department of the Environment, Keith Anderson states that charging shoppers an extra sum for using plastic bags and by giving them a rebate on the usage of reusable bags, makes the entire recycling process an incentive system. This system is effective because in a normal scenario, the users would not mind paying 5 extra cents for using a plastic bag. However, the fact that they will be awarded for using a reusable bag, even if the amount is as low as 5 cents, will encourage them to use the reusable bags. The bill will generate revenues for the New Jersey city council as well. According to Senator Bob Smith, the Chairman of the environmental panel, the city authorities of New Jersey can expect a revenue of around $28 million with the implementation of this bill. This fund can be utilized to develop other regions within the city, such as Barnegat Bay, as stated by Smith. The bay region has been completely destroyed due to the recent Hurricane Sandy, and could be renovated using this additional money. Other cities that have similar laws Keeping in mind the escalating issue of plastic waste disposal, many other cities within the US and around the world have also implemented similar laws to restrict the usage of plastic bags. At present, around 100 cities in the US have enforced similar laws or banned the usage of single-use plastic bags. Source: http://www.sfgate.com/news/science/article/Bill-encourages-use-of-reusable-shopping-bags-4125019.php

Keeping in mind the increasing issue of waste disposal, Greenbean, a Somerville based initiative has formulated a software system that can make a great add-on to recycling machines which are manufactured by other firms and Greenbean as well. The Chief Executive Officer and the Founder of the Greenbean Recycle, Shanker Sahai stated that when he used recycling machines, he was perturbed by the fact that people needed to use receipts to tabulate the amount of waste they were recycling. So he decided to formulate the software that would help recyclers keep an account of their recycling points easily. Greenbean's Innovative Software and Recycling Machines This software designed by Greenbean needs to be installed on recycling machines. It acts like real-time analytics when installed on any system. The points earned by all the recyclers are saved as energy points in the system. Through this system, the machines will keep a record of the number of cans or containers that are deposited by all the recyclers into the machine. Once the number of containers that are deposited in the machine are calculated, the software will analyze the amount of waste that is reduced from the landfill. In simple terms, the software will tabulate the weight of the containers that are collected in the machine, and analyze the amount of garbage that is being transferred from the landfills to the machines. These statistics will be calculated in terms of kWh. Encouraging Recycling Machines and Eco-Friendly Promotional Items The purpose of this software is to reward the recyclers in efficient ways. If the recyclers have to maintain a record of all the deposits that they are making, they might not be interested in recycling all their items. Since the software keeps a tab on the items that are being recycled by all the recyclers, the recyclers' work becomes relatively easy. Shanker Sahai stated that at present, there is a need to encourage the usage of eco friendly promotional items. When the recyclers deposit their containers in recycling machines, this software will immediately show them their contribution to save the landfill pollution. This will not only encourage the recyclers to recycle more, but will also make them realize how much more they need to recycle. To make the process of recycling a bit more exciting, the software has a gaming feature as well. Sahai states that his initiative's ultimate goal is to increase the level of recycling in the individuals and thus combating the issue of waste disposal into landfills. Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blog/startups/2012/12/greenbean-recycle-re-invents-the.html

The authorities in the Georgia Port region recently announced that they will be introducing four new cranes in the facility. These cranes will be operated using electricity, as they are ERTG or Electrified Rubber-tired Gantry. This technology is being introduced in the entire North American region for the first time, and the authorities at the port have high expectations from it. The Need for ERTG Curtis Foltz, the Executive Director at Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) stated that this new addition is extremely essential. This addition will not only help the port but will also set an example in the industry. At present, this change is the most important initiative of the GPA. The authorities are hoping that after this change, the port will have a better productivity rate. Additionally, they are hoping that the ERTGs will help them reduce their environmental footprint. The Installation of ERTG and Usage of Eco-Friendly Promotional Items The ERTG systems have been developed in association with Konecranes, Georgia Power, and Conductix-Wampfler. The collaboration worked on this eco-friendly technology by providing cranes, power system, and electrical infrastructure respectively. These companies had to work in close association with each other to come up with an ERTG model. The most integral part of this entire process was to make the ERTGs switch from a diesel auto-engage system to an electrical grid auto-engage system. With this switch, the ERTGs would use electricity for all their operations, instead of petroleum products. This task was achieved with the help of Conductix-Wampfler. In the present ERTGs, the cranes will function on electrical power or electricity 90 percent of the times that they are used. This technology is an example for other ports to take up green initiatives and use eco-friendly items or technologies. Other ports that want to follow the footsteps of GPA need to keep in mind that the electrical equipment that is mounted using RTG and a retractable arm is lightweight and compact as well. An Opportunity to Develop Green Technologies The Vice President of Sales at the Georgia Power, Murry Weaver, states that the partnership between GPA or Georgia Ports Authority and Georgia Power is a significant step. Through this partnership, the company can research and develop green technologies that will help all the port authorities in America. This collaboration can research on electrical transportation that will reduce the dependence on fossil fuels, and will also help promote eco friendly promotional items within the authorities. Additionally, these new products will help the authorities save up on a lot of money. The savings can be invested in further research through which electric non-road technologies can be developed. Source: http://www.marinelink.com/news/ecofriendly-authority350053.aspx

To address the issue of collecting and disposing recyclable waste, the governing bodies at New Milford are looking for new bids. The Borough council is facing difficulties with the borough's current hauler. So the council has decided to advertise recycling services among the residents to try and involve them in the entire process. The council is going to draft specifications for all the recycling services and then advertise them in the local areas. The Present System Followed by the New Milford Council At present, the Borough council has an agreement with Ferretti Carting Inc., a Hackensack based agency. However, this agreement is going to expire in the month of April, next year. This agreement comprises the collection and disposal of recyclable materials from the domestic spaces within New Milford. These domestic spaces include independent houses of the residents as well as apartment complexes. This agreement was made for a span of one year with the option to expand it for the coming four years. However, the hauler was given only two additional years after the completion of the first year. The agreement is being withdrawn before the completion of four optional years because the hauler is facing a lot of problems at present. According to Ann Subrizi, the Mayor, the problems with the hauler began earlier this year when the pick-ups were never done on time. He added that the entire system is suffering because of the poor equipment involved and the labor problem. New Milford Finding Solutions to Promote Eco-Friendly Promotional Items Looking at the labor and equipment issues that the hauler is facing at present, the local authorities are trying hard to look for a solution. Subrizi stated that currently the days when recyclables are collected from the residents is extremely strenuous for the local authorities. As a result, the residents are losing interest in the entire activity. The Borough council does not want the people to be discouraged to recycle, so they are looking for residents who can help the authorities with the entire process. The council has urged all the residents to take part in the recycling process more actively. This will help them conduct the entire process smoothly. They have also asked the residents to segregate their recyclable wastes a bit more carefully. Additionally, the members of the council are encouraging the residents to use eco friendly promotional items instead of the traditional ones. This will not only help them save up on costs but will also reduce the load of wastes that need to be recycled. Source:http://www.northjersey.com/news/183292631_Recycling_concerns_lead_New_Milford_council_to_seek_bids_for_different_hauler.html

To promote an eco-friendly lifestyle among the people, a themed eco-friendly business park, named The Seasons Greene eco-industrial park, will soon be launched in south Hudson. The proposal for this theme park was planned in the year 2011. This innovative park is said to be situated in an approximate area of 165 acres, on Seasons Road. The Themed Eco-Friendly Business Park In the proposal, the business park is estimated to have around 10 buildings. These buildings will cover a build up area of around 1.4 million square feet. This park will be a host to businesses that are related to alternative sources of energy. Each of these businesses will employ close to 100 employees. According to John R. Shutsa, the developer and owner of the land, once the park is constructed, around 1000 people will be working in it on a regular basis. Job Opportunities and Use of Eco-Friendly Promotional Items According to the Director at the Hudson Economic Development, Chuck Wiedie, this park will help create job opportunities for the local people as well. When the residents get involved with alternative sources of energy, they will also promote other types of eco friendly promotional products as well. At present, the park is in its initial stages wherein the construction plans are being finalized. The developer and owner of the property, John A Shustsa, along with his fellow associates, is spending close to $2 million to improve the condition of the property. This includes construction of roads, laying down of pipeline for water, and installation of pipelines for sanitary purposes as well. Shustsa stated that in the beginning of next year, many companies will start moving into the park, so the property needs to be in good condition before they start their operations. He also stated that by the end of the winter season, almost all the pipelines will be laid inside the park. The Governmental Support for the Eco-Friendly Business Project This project is also receiving support from the governmental agencies. At present, the agencies are providing grants to the owners to develop the land. The city council at Hudson is giving the project a grant of around $130,000. This money is aimed to improve the water pipes within the park. Additionally, the Summit County is sponsoring the sanitary pipeline in the park. The county is giving the park a grant of around $425,000. Furthermore, the state is giving the owners a grant of $710,000. Shusta stated that this project is receiving a lot of support and they are hoping to get grants from the US Army Corps of Engineers as well. Source:http://www.hudsonhubtimes.com/news%20local/2012/12/12/eco-industrial-park-making-way-for-businesses

The commissioners at Lycoming County have approved an agreement with the county's resource management department to provide recyclable collecting services for Selinsgrove Borough. The agreement proposes that the recyclables would be collected at no extra expenses. Only items capable of being recycled will be accepted for the purpose. Recycling Measures Taken at Burlington County The operations manager of RMS, Dave Bonus said the county's vehicles would collect recyclables from Borough, twice or thrice in a month. Recycling services are also provided by the county to municipalities in other counties like Union, Northumberland, and Snyder. A resolution to the grant of about three million dollars to the Children and Youth Services organization of Lycoming County was also reviewed by the commissioners. Citizens and Northern Bank has financed the agency so that the bills are paid on time despite the lapsed state reimbursements. The commissioners have also approved a contract for maintenance and stationing of equipment at the landfill. The service resulted in landfill machinery achieving compaction rates of more than 12 percent. In this way, more waste could be transferred to the recycling facility. Burlington County: Single Stream Recycling for Producing Eco-Friendly Promotional Items Burlington County is expected to introduce single stream recycling in the near future. Residents will simply have to place their recyclables in a single container. Burlington County had initiated a recycle program several years ago and it continues to be carried out efficiently. The recycling program is a shared activity between municipalities. The expenses for residential recycling are funded by the county's revenue. Most of the residents of Burlington County recycle their goods. Initially when the program began, only newspapers were collected as recyclables; but, now the program has expanded to include cardboard, steel or aluminium scraps, plastic bottles, and glass containers which can easily be recycled into eco friendly promotional items. Due to the keen interest taken by the county municipalities in recycling activities, county residents are more aware of environmental pollution and the need to act responsibly to reduce it. Recycling has several benefits to the economy and environment. Products made out of recyclables consume less energy and reduce environmental pollution. Taxes on landfills are also reduced due to the diversion of trash to recycling facilities. The recycling trend has been adopted in various counties of the U.S, and various measures with regard to it have been taken in the recent days. Source