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Green Star E-News Vol. 3, No. 12 December 18, 2002
Recognizing Alaska organizations committed to environmental responsibility.
In this issue:
* Shining Stars
* Engine Block Heaters and Timers
* Alternative Fuel Vehicles: The Hybrid Vehicle
* Transparency Recycling
* Waste Prevention 101: Hospitals and Health Care
* This Month’s Hot Link: Alaska Forum on the Environment
* Thank you 2002 Sponsors
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SHINING STARS
Welcome to our newest enrollees – USDA Forest Service – Glacier Ranger District and Table Rock Lake Resort, Missouri
Without our sponsors, we could not support our members and community as thoroughly as we do. Thanks to our most recent sponsors, BP, for providing space and advertising for our November timer give-away (supplemental to their annual Platinum-level sponsorship), and to Green-level sponsors, Pepsi-Cola Bottling, and Alaska Textiles.
Thank you and happy holidays to all of our members, sponsors, and other supporters!
Watch for your 2003 membership invoice package in the mail this week and consider making an extra tax-deductible donation to Green Star to support a specific waste reduction program. The PR value for our sponsors will be better than ever this year.
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ENGINE BLOCK HEATERS AND TIMERS
Much has been publicized lately about several Air Quality programs available to Anchorage residents. Here is the latest about each program:
Engine Block Heater Timer Giveaway –
This program provides free timers to use with engine block heaters. In November, Green Star gave away 600 timers and the Municipality of Anchorage gave away an additional 700 timers. Thank you to the BP Energy Center for hosting the Green Star giveaway. Demand for the timers was high, so another order has been placed and will be distributed in January. Visit Green Star’s web site for instructions for receiving a timer once they arrive. The timers are available for Anchorage residents only and only one per household will be given. Thank you for plugging in.
Engine Block Heater Installation Program –
This program offers the installation of an engine block heater, a timer, and an extension cord for a greatly reduced price ($25). The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation is sponsoring this program. Currently, the demand has overwhelmed the supply and the program is on hold until additional facilities are identified to help install the heaters. All confirmed appointments at Jerry’s Auto Service will be honored but no new appointments will be taken until further notice. Please watch for announcements in the local media.
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ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES: The Hybrid Vehicle
Hybrid vehicles or hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) combine the internal combustion engine of a conventional vehicle with the battery and electric motor of an electric vehicle. Combining power modes results in increased fuel economy – often twice that of conventional vehicles. The combination also offers the extended range that consumers expect from a conventional vehicle, with increased energy and environmental benefits of an electric vehicle. The practical benefits of HEVs include improved fuel economy and lower emissions compared to conventional vehicles.
HEVs are the most promising type of alternative fuel vehicle for the consumer, with several types available in the Anchorage area. The benefit is that HEVs do not require an alternative fuel source and do not need to be charged up. The gasoline engine charges the electric motor as you drive, so the motor can, in turn, operate the vehicle.
The Toyota Prius Hybrid is the most popular HEV on the market today. It is available in Anchorage at Nye Toyota. In fact, the dealership now has a large shipment of Priuses on site and ready for sale. The car is a half electric, half gasoline vehicle, getting about 52 miles per gallon in the city. It also can go 600 miles per tank of gasoline. The Prius, which seats five passengers, is considered a super ultra low emissions vehicle and it never requires a recharge from an outside source.
The Honda Civic Hybrid and the Honda Insight are two additional HEVs, both available at Continental Honda in Anchorage. The Insight is a two-seater and is America's first gasoline/electric hybrid. It gets 60 to 70 miles per gallon. It produces 84% fewer hydrocarbons and 50% less NOx than a typical car. The Civic Hybrid is a standard four-door vehicle, similar to the traditional Honda Civic. It runs about $2,000-$3,000 more than the standard Civic. These cars are being sold as special orders so you are better off doing your car-purchase research on the web before buying. In other words, you won’t find one to test drive at the dealership.
For those who want a bigger, SUV-type vehicle, the Ford Escape HEV will most likely be available in Anchorage by the end of 2003 or beginning of 2004. Most dealers will begin compiling waiting lists in summer 2003. The gas mileage for this vehicle will be less than that of other hybrids but will be better than a traditional Ford Escape or similar gasoline-powered SUV.
Resources
Toyota Prius
http://www.toyota.com/html/shop/vehicles/prius
Honda Insight and Honda Civic Hybrid
http://www.hondacars.com
Ford Escape HEV
http://www.hybridford.com
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TRANSPARENCY RECYCLING
Transparencies may not be filling up landfills but according to 3M, a big producer of transparencies, millions of pounds of polyester transparencies are discarded each year. If you use 3M transparencies for presentations, you now have an alternative to throwing them away.
Transparency film is Type 1 polyester, which is the same type as soda bottles. However, the film has coatings that allow ink and toner to adhere to it and, therefore, precludes it from being recycled at your local recycling center with soda bottles.
Ship used 3M Transparencies (no paper), 3M Flip-Frame Transparency Protectors, and 3M Transparency Sleeves to:
3M Recycle Program
c/0 Gemark
99 Stevens Lane
Exeter, PA 18643
Any quantity will be accepted. Please send only 3M transparency materials. Most other transparencies are made from polypropylene and cannot be recycled with polyester. If you wish, you may shred your transparencies prior to sending them. Call 570-654-5511 to obtain a confidentiality policy.
To reduce generation of waste film, make your presentation generic enough so it can be used again. Simple points can be illustrated on an erasable white board or chalkboard. Better yet, use electronic presentations, such as PowerPoint, that do not use disposable transparencies.
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WASTE PREVENTION 101: Hospitals and Health Care
Anchorage has eight hospitals (5 medical and 3 psychiatric facilities) and several hundred other health care facilities ranging from doctor and dentist offices, to outpatient clinics and labs. These facilities employ in the range of 10,000 people and generate not only solid waste but regulated medical waste (RMW).
According to Health Care Without Harm, a non-profit organization, hospitals generate approximately two million tons of solid waste per year. Of this amount, 10-15% is infectious and the remainder is general solid waste.
Hospitals, clinics, offices, labs, and other facilities all can benefit from waste prevention activities and Green Star membership. Waste prevention initiatives in the health care industry have been proven to save thousands of dollars.
A study conducted in New York City hospitals found that a hospital could save up to $2,365 per bed per year if the recommended waste prevention and energy efficiency measures were implemented. Of the waste prevention savings, 62% resulted from reduced product procurement, while another 37% was from reduced waste disposal costs.
Below is just a sampling of waste prevention ideas specific to hospitals and health care:
Minimize Red Bag Locations. Reducing the number of red bag locations not only helps reduce the RMW stream and its disproportionately high disposal costs, but also helps reduce supplies usage and overall waste quantities. RMW quantities are reduced because fewer RMW containers result in less non-RMW and recyclable waste being inadvertently discarded into the RMW stream, particularly in areas accessible to patients and visitors.
Control Plastic Bag Usage. Controls over clear bag usage, such as eliminating the practice of lining disposal containers with multiple bags, reduce purchasing costs.
Implement Bulk RMW Collection. Packaging RMW in the 35-cubic-yard bulk container reduces RMW handling, requires less labor, and prevents the waste and cost associated with the replacement of durable containers due to normal wear and tear.
Reduce the Use of Mercury-containing Products. Mercury is found in thermometers, sphygmomanometers, feeding tubes, thermostats, batteries, and fluorescent lamps. It is a neurotoxic heavy metal that can be absorbed through inhalation or absorption if a product containing mercury is broken. Mercury also can enter the environment if improperly disposed. Hospitals contribute 4-5% of the total mercury in wastewater as well. Many mercury-containing products have low mercury versions, such as fluorescent lamps and batteries, or digital or other alternatives that don’t use mercury at all.
Avoid the Use of Disposable Isolation Gowns. Replace disposable isolation gowns with durable gowns in all areas except for contact isolation cases.
Avoid the Use of Disposable Diapers. Adopt a limited-use diaper policy for disposable and reusable diapers. Phase out the use of disposable diapers in favor of reusable underpads.
Reduce Disposable Protective Equipment Usage. Eliminate the unnecessary use of protective coveralls for staff performing housekeeping duties. Use launderable uniforms and coveralls for routine housekeeping tasks.
Use Durable Patient Pillows and Gowns. Replace disposable pillows and gowns for patient use with reusable pillows and gowns furnished by a linen service.
Use Durable Operating Room Gowns. Replace disposable gowns used in surgery with improved reprocessible cloth gowns offering comparable strike-through protection.
Refurbish Patient Beds. Refurbishing patient beds rather than discarding them not only reduces costs, but can avoid the generation of thousands of pounds of waste.
Collect Unused Operating Room Supplies for Reuse. A hospital can collect unused, wrapped, sterile sponges, sutures, and other disposable supplies after surgery for shipment to developing countries.
Use Rigid Sterilization Containers. Using rigid sterilization containers can reduce the use of disposable sterilization covers
Reduce Admission Kit Components. Streamline admission kits to eliminate little-used items. For example, one hospital now provides emesis basins, hair comb, body lotion tube, and mouth wash bottle, all previously included as kit components, on an as-needed basis, since most patients bring their own. The hospital reduced the cost of admission kits from $2.25 to $1.49 as a result.
Use Returnable Totes. A pharmacy can work with its wholesale distributors to implement an off-site break-bulk system. Supplies previously delivered in case lots and de-cased at the hospital can be delivered in reusable totes. The packaging waste is eliminated and the reduced inventory leads to faster turnover and decreased generation of expired pharmaceuticals.
Use Durable Trays and Covers. Use reusable trays and tray covers for patient food service. Cafeteria trays also should be reusable.
Use Durable Retherm Ware for Hot Entrees. A retherm system ensures that patients receive hot meals and it reduces food waste. Completely assembled trays are placed into the retherm module, which provides scheduled heating. The part of the meal intended to be served hot is then heated to the required temperature. At the same time, the cold portion of the meal (e.g., salad, juice etc.) is maintained at the required temperature. The entire process, both the refrigeration of food and the heating of food, is known as "rethermalization." Rethermalization reduces food waste and ensures that foods are maintained at temperatures that prevent spoilage.
Resources
Sustainable Hospitals Project
The Lowell Center for Sustainable Production develops, studies, and promotes environmentally sound systems of production, healthy work environments, and economically viable work organizations. The Center is associated with the Department of Work Environment and the Toxics Use Reduction Institute at the University of Massachusetts. http://www.sustainablehospitals.org
Hospitals for a Healthy Environment
A partnership between the American Hospitals Association and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency designed to achieve healthy communities. http://www.h2e-online.org
Health Care Without Harm
An international coalition with the mission of transforming the health care industry so it is no longer a source of environmental harm by eliminating pollution in health care practices without compromising safety or care. http://www.noharm.org
NYC WasteLe$$ Hospital Waste Prevention and Energy Conservation Guidance Document
This document is based on studies conducted in New York City hospitals and health care facilities, evaluating current waste prevention activities and determining potential savings of hypothetical situations.
http://www.nycwasteless.com/gov-bus/index.htm
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THIS MONTH’S HOT LINK: Alaska Forum on the Environment
Start planning ahead for this year’s forum, to be held February 10-14, 2003. The event offers more than 70 breakout sessions and numerous keynote speakers focusing on various environmental issues concerning Alaskans. Register online.
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THANK YOU 2002 SPONSORS
Green Star could not exist without the generous financial support of many individuals and leading local businesses. To become a Green Star individual member or corporate sponsor, please call (278-7827) or visit our web site http://www.greenstarinc.org. A huge thank you to our 2002 sponsors!
Platinum: BP Exploration Alaska, Municipality of Anchorage Solid Waste Services, ConocoPhillips Alaska
Gold: Alaska Conservation Foundation, Wells Fargo
Silver: Anchorage Refuse (A Waste Management Company), National Association of PET Container Resources (NAPCOR), Phone Directories, Inc., Princess Tours, The Home Depot
Bronze: La Mex, Odom Corporation, One Northwest, Sam's Club, Wal-Mart ‘A’ Street Store
Green: Alaska Serigraphics, Alaska Textiles, Alaska Wildland Adventures, Anchorage Daily News, Bear Tooth Grill and Theater Pub, Café Del Mundo, Chugach Electric Association, Corporate Express Alaska, Denali Commission, Moose’s Tooth Pub and Pizzeria, Nabors Alaska Drilling, Pepsi-Cola Bottling of Anchorage, Side Street Espresso, Snow City Café, Webb Consulting & Management Services
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Past issues of E-News are available on our web site, sorted by topic or date. Please send comments, questions, or suggestions for future E-News topics to us at enews@greenstarinc.org. Forward this newsletter freely. Send us any email addresses you wish to add to our mailing list. Thank you!
The staff of Green Star, Anchorage:
Sean Skaling, Executive Director
Jeanne Carlson, Recycling Program Coordinator
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