GE Platinum LEED Data Center in Kentucky

GE’s recently opened its FIRST Platinum LEED data center in Kentucky; it is few Platinum LEED data centers in the world. 

Only 6% of LEED facilities in the world meet Platinum certification.

• Materials were over 50% locally sourced, approx. 30 % had recycled content and 80 plus % of construction waste was recycled and not landfilled.

 

In addition … 

“ … reducing water consumption inside the building by 42 percent …”

“ … offset 35 percent of the data center’s predicted annual energy consumption through the purchase of off-site renewable energy … “

“… Outside … reducing water consumption by 100 …”

 

Via:  GE LINK

ecoATM Recycling Kiosks for Small Electronics

ecoATM has a kiosk system that can evaluate the quality of old unwanted electronics – like cell phones – and offer cash and safe recycling.

Using screen prompts and a plug in wire to analyze a device the kiosk can determine the value and offer cash or to give the money to charity.  If cash is chosen the kiosk prints a slip that a partnering store can trade for cash.  In any case the devise is then reconditioned or safely (for the environment – no e-waste) recycled.

The kiosk “ … patented, advanced machine vision, electronic diagnostics, and artificial intelligence to evaluate and buy-back used electronics directly from consumers for cash or store credit. …”

Watch this video to see how easy the process is for the user …

Currently (Sept 2011) there is a cluster of ecoATM locations on the west coast stretching from just north of Los Angeles to just south of San Diego and two others – one in Kansas City, Kansas and one in Redmond, Washington.

 

Via:  ecoATM  LINK

LifeHacker’s Energy Saving Tips

Check out this interesting  post on LifeHacker about ways to significantly reduce your energy bills.

Check this post from Jason Chen   He managed to cut 1/3 from his energy bill.   You might find some good tips there …

Remember; unless your energy is from a renewable source, reducing your energy use also lowers your carbon footprint and can save you some money.

Via:  LifeHacker  LINK

Macy's and ECOTality to Offer Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in California

Macy’s is planning to install EV chargers at a number of San Diego stores.  They are partnering with ECOtality to pilot self serve EV (electric vehicle) charging stations. " ... two electric vehicle charging stations this fall outside each of six Macy's stores in ... San Diego ..."

The specific / exact locations are still being identified.metropolitan area (locations are being identified). 

Via: Macy's  LINK and ECOtality  LINK

Valvoline NextGen Oil - Recycled Motor Oil

Recycling motor oil is good for the environment … and is a good “raw material” for new oil.

Further recycling motor oil can reduce dependence on imported oil and protect the environment – especially the water supply. 

Did you know that “ … just one gallon of used oil can contaminate up to one million gallons of water ….”

“ … motor oil doesn't really wear out … it's the additives that wear out …”

Check out this video to learn about the engine oil life cycle as oil is reprocessed “from oil pan to oil can”.

 

 

 

 

Via:  Valvoline  LINK

Celebrate Earth Hour 2011 – March 26th at 8:30 pm local time - all across the globe !

Via:   Earth Hour LINK

VW: Possible All Electric Bulli (previously the microbus !)

Google Translated from German ...

VW recently showed off at the Geneva Auto Show a prototype 6 seat all-electric called "Bulli".   " ... maximum utilization of space ... driven ... by a powerful electric motor or alternatively efficient gasoline and diesel direct injection engines ..."

 See picture of concept car at right >>>> 

Via:  Volkswagen  LINK

Heat from Commuters in Stockholm’s Central Station Serves Nearby Office Block

Swedish ngineers have found a way to recover the excess heat generated by commuters in Stockholm’s main train station and use that energy to heat a nearby office block.

The technology is not all that different from typical heat exchangers … this application is well suited to climates like Sweden where the winters are quite cold and the cost of petroleum based fuels is quite high.

Check out this video of more details … 

 

Use EcoSquid to find a new home for your old electronics. 

“EcoSquid: Be awesome. Feel Good. Get Paid. Sell and Recycle your old electronics “

On their website you can quickly either find where to safely recycle your e-stuff or see if it can be sold for a few bucks.











Via:  EcoSquid  LINK

Rubbermaid Green Strategy / Products

 Rubbermaid is making products with a green slant.  In this case it is wire shelving made from 100 % recycled steel and is itself recyclable.

They are also working with the Greenguard Environmental Institute to certify products do not contain volatile contaminates / VOCs.  Check out this Rubbermaid video for more details ...




Via: Rubbermaid  LINK

Sprint Recycling Program – Reducing e-Waste

Did you know that MASSIVE amounts of cell phones are tossed in the trash EVERY HOUR ?

16,000 cell phones are thrown away each hour !!   Sprint wants to keeps these out of landfills and has programs that make it easy for everyone to recycle (and not contribute to to e-waste) your cell phone and related accessories.

Check out these 2 videos for more information on Sprint’s recycling programs …

Via:  Sprint and You Tube

Naked Juice’s 100% Post Consumer Recycled PET (rPET)

Check out this You Tube video from Naked Juice talking about their reNEWabottle – made from 100% post consumer recycled PET (rPET).

Made with recycled plastic and fully recyclable … helping to reduce energy and reduce landfill waste.

 

   

Via:  Naked Juice LINK

Cracker Barrel Plans EV charging Stations at 24 Tennessee Restaurants

The lack of EV charging stations is a key infrastructure item slowing the acceptance of pure electric vehicles.  With limited battery life a charging statioin is a key "must have" for a pure EV.

Cracker Barrel is helping to build out the infrastructure using locations along highways.  They plan to install  EV chargers from ECOtality at 24 locations in Tennessee.  Many of the locations are identified … see map (right) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


Dines and shoppers can get “ … an 80% charge … in just under a half hour at … locations which will have the DC Fast Charging stations. …”:

Plans are to start installation in the spring of ‘11 and be complete in several months.  Check the Cracker Barrel web site for updates.




Via:  Cracker Barrel  LINK

Scott Smart Flush™ Helps Save Water and Money

Follow the simple directions on the bag and you could be on your way to saving 2000 gallons of water a year with Scott Smart Flush^™.  Smart Flush^™ is a bag that sits in the water tank of the toilet and reduces each flush by 1 liter. 

Currently available in 8 and 12 pack rolls of Scott Naturals.

This is a simple and for now free way to save water and money - and be GREEN.


Via:  Scott  LINK

Motorola Takes Back / Recycles Cell Phones (even if not from Motorola)

As part of their corporate responsibility program Motorola has a program that will take back / recycle any mobile phone – even if not a Motorola product.

Some are repurposed (after refurbishing) to developing countries … others are just recycled.

Since consumer participation is a key drive Motorola tries to get more people involved in recycling mobile phones by among other things “enclosing …prepaid return envelopes with new products … Providing prepaid postage labels on our website ….” and participating in programs like “ … Mobile Muster in Australia, Green Box in China, Plug in to eCycling in the U.S. and Recycle My Cell in Canada “

Via: Motorola LINK

Waste to Energy -- Sustainable Waste Solutions

I saw a trailer in a parking lot with the Sustainable Waste Solutions and knew there would be a blog post there.  SWS is a local company with a Souderton, Pa  address that turns waste to energy (W2E).

" ... a landfill-free alternative for recycling, waste transportation, and disposal to companies ... throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania, Lehigh Valley and Delaware. ... we generate enough electricity from waste to power tens of thousands of homes per day ..."

W2E burns waste material to generate electric and results in waste that is only 10% by volume compared to the starting amount.

Until we run out of trash (not too likely in the near term) this is a renewable energy solution!



Via:  Sustainable Waste Solutions  LINK