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GREEN STAR BROWN BAG: None this Month

Green Star will not be hosting a brown bag program this month. Happy Holidays! Green Star plans to continue to offer Brown Bag programs during the coming year as topics arise. If you have an idea for a program topic or speaker, please let us know. We are here to provide the information that our members want to know.

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SUSTENANCE & SUSTAINABILITY – GREEN STAR MEMBER BREAKFASTS

Green Star has begun a series of get-togethers to focus in on the needs of our members. Over the course of the next year, you may receive a personal invitation to a member breakfast. Please consider attending these intimate breakfasts to help make Green Star’s program more valuable to you and your peers.

During these member breakfasts, we provide breakfast, the basics about Green Star, our newest programs, and what we can do for you. We hope that you will provide feedback, ideas, questions, and challenges.

We will be inviting small groups of members that may have similar business situations or workplaces to share with each other. Our goal is to talk with all of our members, both enrollees and awardees.

Our first member breakfast brought together members from the conservation community to discuss the importance of leading the way in the conservation field by example. In addition, the group shared ideas about implementing Green Star standards in a very small workplace with few employees.

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HOLIDAY GIVING – REDUCE YOUR IMPACT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Once again, it’s that time of year to give gifts, experience the holiday spirit, and be generous. Often that leads to additional waste, but it doesn’t have to. Here are a few tips. These can be applied to family giving and celebrations, as well as workplace events. For additional tips, see our December 2001 issue.

GIFTS:

Give Waste Free Gifts: Give gift certificates or memberships to local stores or attractions. For example, consider giving a year-long membership to the Anchorage Museum of History and Art; zoo passes; gift certificates to movie theaters, a day spa, hockey games, events at the Performing Arts Center, restaurants, Cyrano’s Playhouse, the climbing gym etc. Or make your own gift certificates for services such as babysitting, lawn mowing, dishwashing, a trip to the recycling center or composting facility.

Give Consumables: Give candles, soap, food like special jams or homemade cookies, and note cards with stamps. Or invite someone over for a home-prepared meal.

Give Durables: Choose well-made classic items, such as long-lasting toys, sports equipment, clothing, books, cooking or building tools, rather than cheap, breakable, trendy items. Also, think “repairable.”

Give Environmentally Helpful Gifts: Give canvas shopping bags, travel cups, garden hand tools, durable lunch bags, worm bins, compost bins, compost, gift certificates for nursery or nature excursions, cloth napkins and rings, a reusable lunch kit for the workplace.

Give Gifts with a Personal Touch: Your own artwork, photographs, poems, craftwork, and/or a note expressing love and appreciation are always a big hit. Parents and grandparents, among others, usually prefer these gifts and keep them forever!

Give Donations: Give money to a good cause that the other person cares about, in their name. (Animal shelters, environmental organizations, food banks, literacy advocates, libraries, health organizations, shelters for teens and women, and arts organizations are just a few possibilities.)

Start a New Tradition: Pick one night a month that your family will donate time at a local shelter handing out food. It is important for children to help others. Studies show that people who help others are healthier and happier. Children who volunteer enhance their self-esteem as they learn new skills and make new friends. They see themselves as kind people capable of making a difference, and they learn to live a more hopeful life. Volunteer activities help build character and teach social responsibility, greater empathy and compassion. Teach that who you are is more important that what you have.

PARTIES/DECORATIONS:

Here are a few additional tips to consider when planning a holiday office party or a party at home.

* Use LED holiday lights to decorate. For more information on LED holiday lights, see the November 2003 issue. LEDs use much less energy and last years longer than traditional strings of lights, saving you money each year.

* Rent glasses and plates for your holiday party instead of using disposable items. Several party stores in Anchorage offer very reasonably priced rentals. Just be sure to reserve them early during the busy holiday season. Renting dish and glassware may not be as expensive as you think, especially when you consider the cost of disposables and dealing with them as trash.

* At home or if you have zoned heating in your workplace, turn down the heat when your guests arrive. You’ll save energy while the extra body heat of the guests will warm up the room.

* Have recycling bins available for guests. You may have recycling bins in your home and your office, but are they available where you are hosting your party? If not, consider moving some from other locations or contact Green Star about borrowing bins through our Green Events program.

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INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN ANCHORAGE

A few weeks ago, Green Star hosted a Brown Bag about indoor air quality at the BP Energy Center. Anne Schlapia, an air quality specialist with the Municipality’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), gave an overview of a 1995 indoor air quality study conducted by that Department and an introduction to the follow-up study that will take place this winter.

In the 1995 study, 24-hour air samples from Anchorage homes were analyzed for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) throughout the year. A survey was also used to collect details about each home environment. Information concerning the behavior of the occupants was gathered (e.g., number and type of vehicles parked in the garage, trips taken with these vehicles, smoking habits and chemical use), as well as architectural details of the home (e.g., type, age, and configuration; type of heating system), and possible environmental influences were noted (e.g., temperature, wind, traffic, ambient sources). Air samples were collected outside the homes concurrently with the indoor tests.

Data from these 137 homes showed that the level of benzene and other toxic organic air pollutants was seven times higher in homes with attached garages than in homes without an attached garage. This study, published in 1996, suggested that the main sources of these airborne organic pollutants were cars, gasoline containers and fuel burning equipment such as snow blowers and lawnmowers parked or stored in the garage. Alaska gasoline contains a higher benzene content than most areas in the lower-48 and a high volatility (RVP) fuel is used in the winter to ensure starting at cold temperatures. Indoor concentrations of benzene and other VOCs were up to 50 times higher than samples collected outside the homes and significantly higher than concentrations measured in similar studies conducted in US, Canada, and Europe. Focus was placed on benzene because it is a carcinogen. Smoking or inhaling second-hand smoke is the most common way people are exposed to benzene but other sources have been identified, such as vehicle emissions. There is no national standard for benzene levels in homes, only a workplace standard, which assumes an 8-hr. exposure for healthy adults.

For the new study, DHHS will collaborate with researchers from the University of Washington and the Alaska Building Science Network to investigate the influence of attached garages on air quality inside homes. A USEPA grant will fund the study, to be conducted this winter in up to 50 Anchorage homes. Two different tracer gases will be used in homes to better understand the movement of air from garages in the hopes of providing insight on how to best control this source of indoor air pollution. The University hopes to secure funding to duplicate this study in Seattle next winter.

Sampling of homes will commence in January 2004 and will be restricted to homes with attached garages in which a vehicle is parked for at least part of the study period. If you are interested in participating in the study and your home has an attached garage in which you park your vehicle, or if you would like to learn more about the past study, please contact Anne Schlapia at schlapiaAM@muni.org or 343-4715.

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RECYCLING MEETING WITH MAYOR BEGICH

On December 3rd, Anchorage’s quarterly recycling meeting was attended by Mayor Mark Begich to discuss the future of recycling in Anchorage. During the meeting, the Mayor agreed to several positive steps in improving recycling in Anchorage.

The quarterly recycling meeting is a forum for individuals and organizations involved in recycling to meet periodically. The meeting allows the opportunity to share information, troubleshoot issues, and partner on projects. The attendees represent nonprofit organizations, government agencies, citizen and student groups, and businesses, all of which have some connection to recycling, through assistance, education, outreach, or logistics.

When the new Mayor took office this past summer, the recycling group wondered what the new administration would mean for recycling progress. The Mayor was invited to a quarterly meeting and at the meeting he shared his views for the future of recycling in Anchorage.

Mayor Begich is well aware of the history of recycling in Anchorage. In fact, he has written some of that history. It was Mr. Begich, as an Assemblyperson, who originally proposed the $1/ton landfill tip fee set-aside to fund recycling projects. He also introduced several recycling-related ordinances, which eventually were passed as resolutions, and is responsible for the recycling bins located in the Assembly chambers.

The Mayor told the group of about 30 attendees that since the budget was passed the evening before, he had already switched gears and had three meetings about “trash” that day. He looked forward to moving into making improvements in areas such as recycling and he was interested in hearing from the group about the strengths and weaknesses of recycling in Anchorage.

The group presented to the Mayor its overall vision for the future to create a comprehensive integrated sustainable solid waste management system in Anchorage that could economically maintain a convenient recycling component. Representatives from the group presented a list of recycling strengths and successes, many of which were directly or indirectly linked to the Municipality of Anchorage’s (MOA) Recycling Challenge Grants, funded by the $1/ton set-aside. These projects include electronics recycling, Christmas tree recycling, a recycling drop-off area at the Regional Landfill, glass recycling, a pilot curbside recycling program, and several outreach and advertising campaigns.

The group then presented several key initiatives that could be easily undertaken by the MOA to carry recycling forward. Many were based on the Recycling Plan created four years ago by a Mayor-appointed Waste Reduction and Recycling Task Force and accepted by the Assembly in March 2000. The first and foremost suggestion was to assign “ownership” of implementing the Plan to someone. Without some specific entity taking responsibility, little will be done to carry out the Plan.

Other suggestions included establishing a glass collection route operated by the MOA’s Solid Waste Services in the downtown area to increase the supply of glass for the local plant; reviewing MOA procurement specifications to ensure that locally made recycled products are encouraged as appropriate alternatives to virgin products; and encouraging MOA departments to increase their own recycling and waste reduction activities through participation in the Green Star program. Waste reduction efforts within each department have the potential to lead to cost savings that would offset the cost of recycling to either the department or the Municipality.

The meeting wrapped up with student members of Alaska Youth for Environmental Action discussing school issues with the Mayor, mentioning the need for recycling curriculum in the schools as well as a standardized recycling program throughout the school district. The Mayor pointed out the Anchorage School District’s autonomy, stating that it often was not possible for the MOA to influence the school district on such matters, but he had several positive suggestions for working with the school’s administration to implement the students’ suggestions, including approaching the curriculum committee.

The group left the mayor with a document summarizing the current strengths and suggested next steps, as well as a summary analysis of the current status of implementation of the Recycling Plan.

As the meeting wrapped up, the Mayor said that he would begin by appointing a contact person for the Recycling Plan’s implementation. This person would attend quarterly meetings and field recycling questions and concerns, among other things. This is a positive step toward implementing other recycling initiatives.

The Mayor also will review the recommendations presented to him and determine what other initiatives are possible in the short term. He felt that making changes to procurement policy could be a relatively easy initiative to implement. In addition, he mentioned wanting to proceed with a Green Star assessment of Municipal offices. Finally, the Mayor requested any economic information or analyses that the group might have about the feasibility of recycling.

The Mayor hopes to continue discussions with group members about the future of recycling and work together to make improvements. Thank you to everyone who attended the meeting with the Mayor and who participated in the planning process.

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USGBC ALASKA CHAPTER PLANNING MEETING

Green Star invites interested parties to attend a meeting of the Organizing Group of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Alaska Chapter on Thursday, December 11th, from 5:30 to 6:30 at the BP Energy Center. If you are interested in green design and building, consider attending and learning more about the group’s efforts to start an Alaska Chapter. The Chapter is not just for architects and builders, but would like to encourage members from the conservation community, energy raters, interior designers, product manufacturers, facility managers, building owners, as well as anyone with interest in or knowledge of green building. The Chapter will focus on the USGBC’s LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) standards, the use of green building materials, ways to apply green building to Alaska, and other similar subjects. Please contact Claire Noll at 562-6076 x21 or clairen@bdsak.com for more information or to learn where to go for conference call capabilities if you wish to participate from Fairbanks or Juneau.

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RECYCLING SERVICES AVAILABLE

New Paper Shredding Service: Recycle Alaska, one of Anchorage’s curbside recycling collection companies, now offers shredding among its collection services. If your recycler is Recycle Alaska, ask them about the new service. Recycle Alaska can be contacted at 563-6045.

Turnagain Curbside Recycling: Turnagain Community Council and Lake Hood Cub Scout Pack 117 offer curbside pickup for aluminum cans on the first and third Saturday of each month in the Turnagain community. The service is free for those who live within this area: west of Alaska Railroad, north of Northern Lights Boulevard, west of Wisconsin Street and south of Northern Lights Boulevard. Residents are asked to place aluminum cans only (bagged and flattened if possible) on their curb by 10 a.m. The group encourages Turnagain residents to sign up for the Pilot Curbside Paper Products Recycling Program, $5 per month. Information about the aluminum curbside program is at 243-6127. Information about the paper program is available by phone at 563-3717.

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MEMBER MOMENT: DENALI NATIONAL PARK & PRESERVE

Denali National Park and Preserve recently received a Green Star and an Award Quality Award. It has implemented many initiatives of which it can be proud and, in the process, the Park is providing environmental leadership for all to follow. This leadership has earned the Park the 2003 Environmental Achievement Award from the Department of the Interior, and the Champions for Environmental Leadership and “Green” Government Innovation from U.S. EPA Region 10. Below are just a few examples of activities that earned the Park its Green Star Award. Next month, look for the Park’s Air Quality Award initiatives.

At Denali National Park and Preserve, commitment to creating a sustainable park begins at the top, through the development of an Environmental Innovation and Leadership policy and program. Coordination of sustainable programs is included as part of the job responsibilities of the Park’s Safety Manager. And in the summer of 2004, the Park will host a “Greening of Denali Workshop” designed to assist the entire park-area community become greener.

The Park’s recycling and reuse program has been greatly expanded with the completion of a new recycling building. The program accepts a wide range of materials, boosting the total volume recycled in 2003 beyond the previous year before the summer tourist season even began. In fiscal year 2003, 27 tons of recyclables were collected. This is 3.5 times that collected in fiscal year 2002.

The Park also has placed recycling bins at all Park housing units and has included collection of recyclables in the new concessions contract awarded to Doyon/ARAMARK Joint Venture.

An innovative waste prevention opportunity unique to Denali National Park is its 30-plus sled dog kennel. The sled dogs, used by rangers during winter month operations generate 9,000 pounds of waste annually. This waste is composted and made available for park and local use. Even the dogs’ shed fur is given to local crafts people for making yarn and wearable items.

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THIS MONTH’S HOT LINK: Anchorage Refuse
http://www.anchoragerefuse.com

Visit Anchorage Refuse’s web site to learn about the new curbside recycling pilot program. The program collects all recyclable paper items (i.e., newspaper, office and mixed paper, magazines, corrugated cardboard) and includes Bayshore, Turnagain, and Spenard neighborhoods. So far, 1,058 residential customers have subscribed to this bi-weekly recycling service. Anchorage Refuse also is a Green Star sponsor.

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THANK YOU 2003 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 at http://www.greenstarinc.org. A huge thank you to our 2003 sponsors!

Platinum: BP, ConocoPhillips Alaska, Municipality of Anchorage Solid Waste Services
Gold: Alaska Conservation Foundation, Rasmuson Foundation, Wells Fargo
Silver: Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Anchorage Refuse (A Waste Management Company), Princess Tours, The Home Depot,
Bronze: Anchorage Daily News, AT&T Wireless, Carrs-Safeway, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Horizon Lines, Merrill Lynch, Northern Printing, Odom Corporation, One Northwest, Pallet Services of Alaska, Pepsi-Cola Bottling of Anchorage, Philip Services Corporation, Sam's Club, Smurfit-Stone Recycling Company, Totem Ocean Trailer Express,
Wal-Mart ‘A’ St. Store, Warning Lites of Alaska, Weaver Brothers
Green: ACS, AirLand Transport, Alaska Center for the Environment, Alaska Computer Society, Alaska Serigraphics, Alaska Support Industry Alliance, Alaska Textiles, Alaska Wildland Adventures, ALPAR, American Red Cross, Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, Anchorage Fur Rendezvous, Anchorage School District, Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility, Arctic Office Products, Bredeson Company, Carlile Transportation Systems, Chugach Electric Association, Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber of Commerce, Continental Allied, Corporate Express Alaska, Costco, Denali Commission, Federal Express, Hartig Rhodes Hoge & Lekisch, Hotel Captain Cook, Kaladi Brothers, Mettler Toledo, Nabors Alaska Drilling, National Wildlife Federation, Northern Printing, Pallet Services of Alaska, Public Relations Student Society of America – Seawolf Chaper, R&M Consultants, Recycle Alaska, Spenard Builders Supply, Tikigaq Corporation, United Way of Anchorage, USEPA Region 10, Yukon Equipment, Zach Voris – Eagle Scout

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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
Beth Verrelli, Membership & Communications Coordinator
Jeanne Carlson, Program Coordinator