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Green Star E-News
Friday, October 1st, 4:30 – 6pm
880 H Street, Suite 106
We are located on the corner of H and 9th, just south of Skinny Raven and north of the park strip, in the 2-story brown brick building. We hope to see you there!
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GREEN STAR’S STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION
Green Star’s staff and board will meet on Tuesday, September 28th from 2 – 6pm to discuss Green Star’s long-term strategic plan. Any Green Star member who would like to provide comments or suggestions about the future path of Green Star and its mission, please contact us at info@greenstarinc.org or 278-7827 before that date.
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UPCOMING GREEN STAR EDUCATIONAL SERIES TOPICS
We are working on finalizing several events as part of our Educational Series. As of this publication, none are confirmed but here is some general information about events we are planning.
October – We have postponed the planned Sustainable Design and Materials Fair, originally scheduled for this month. The event, to be held in conjunction with the Alaska Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, will most likely take place in January 2005. We will bring you one or two speakers and numerous vendors and organizations who will share information throughout the afternoon and evening about sustainable building materials that are available in Anchorage. Many of us, whether it is for a work project or a home remodel or update, have researched the numerous “green” products on the market. However, we often find that products may be unavailable or prohibitively expensive in Alaska. This event will showcase many of the products that are available here. Stay tuned for details.
November – Green Star is planning an alternative fuel and hybrid vehicle event for Care About Air Week (November 15 – 19). We hope to bring you a speaker about these vehicles as well as several vehicles to see. Stay tuned for details.
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GLASS RECYCLING ON HOLD UNTIL OCTOBER
If you’ve dropped off any recyclables lately in Anchorage or Eagle River, you may have noticed that glass recycling is not an option right now. Polar Supply's Anchorage Glass Recycling plant has scheduled new plant upgrades in September, which will include installation of a new packaging and material handling system. This project will be a great improvement and enhance Anchorage's ability to keep glass recycling viable and make plant operations more stable and efficient for the long term. To accommodate this improvement project, residential glass recycling is temporarily suspended from September 2nd through September 30th.
Glass Recycling drop-off will resume OCTOBER 1st. Until then, please do not leave glass at any recycling site. Any glass left will be disposed of as trash/litter.
Please, store your glass at home until October 1st or properly dispose with your refuse.
Glass is the only material affected by this project. Please continue recycling all other materials in September. Thank you for your patience until glass recycling resumes October 1! Please contact ALPAR at 274-3266 if you have any questions.
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TIMERS FOR ENGINE BLOCK HEATERS AVAILABLE
Now that temperatures are getting colder at night, it’s time to get your car or truck prepared for winter. Have you gotten your engine block heater timer and cords ready for plugging in? Pick up a free timer at Green Star’s office (880 H Street, Suite 106) between 8:30am and 5:00pm Monday through Friday. Other pick-up locations will be announced next month, as will the garages that will be installing engine block heaters at the subsidized rate of only $25 again this winter.
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ANCHORAGE SCHOOL DISTRICT RETROFITS BUSES FOR CLEANER AIR
Students in Anchorage will breathe easier thanks to new school bus emission control devices that have been installed by the Anchorage School District (ASD). As part of a nation-wide effort to reduce diesel school bus emissions, the ASD
retrofitted 74 school buses with emission control devices. The devices are expected to reduce particulate matter (soot) by 20%, carbon monoxide by 40% and hydrocarbons by 50% per bus for cleaner, healthier air.
"These emission control devices will achieve even greater reductions in the future as a new, cleaner burning, ultra low sulfur diesel fuel becomes available in 2006," said Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Ernesta Ballard.
"It's wonderful to have an opportunity to work on these types of projects, especially when budgets are so tight," says Steven Kalmes, ASD director of transportation.
The ASD volunteered time overseeing the project in cooperation with DEC and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). DEC recognized ASD school bus fleet manager Jay Adams with an environmental award for his significant contribution to the project. Project funding for the devices and installation was provided through a USEPA grant and a DEC settlement
with industry. The ASD contracted with Cummins Northwest, Inc. Visit www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus for more information.
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GREEN STAR PUTS ALASKA ON THE ELECTRONICS RECYCLING MAP
Green Star Program Coordinator, Jeanne Carlson, presented the results and lessons learned of our May 2004 Electronics Recycling event at the National Recycling Coalition’s Annual Congress, held August 29th through September 1st in San Francisco. Green Star participated in a panel discuss about E-Scrap initiatives, as well as workshop sponsored by Dell about holding an electronics recycling event. During the presentations, Green Star shared Alaska’s electronics recycling story and explained how we were able to host the largest one-time electronics recycling collection event in the U.S.
Since Alaska has had no previous convenient recycling options for business or residential electronics, Green Star felt that the event should meet the needs of both sectors of the community. By including both businesses and households in our collection event, we offered a unique situation, compared to most other collection events across the country.
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SUSTAINABLE LIVING AND WORKING IN THE DENALI COMMUNITY
Green Star participated in the first Denali Greening Workshop on September 7-9, 2004. The National Park Service at Denali National Park and Preserve organized a three-day workshop to share information about waste reduction, recycling, solid waste management, green building, green hotels, energy, transportation, and environmental education. At the event, the Park showcased several new and under-construction buildings in the Park that will be LEED certified, featuring numerous energy-efficient and resource-reducing initiatives.
Green Star presented a plan for electronics recycling in Alaska, as well as tips and resources for Greening the Hospitality Industry in Denali. To view these and other presentations from the workshop, visit www.alaskanha.org/denali-greening-workshop.htm. If they are not available yet, check back soon. Several presentations offered some very interesting statistics and resources.
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BIONEERS CONFERENCE – “BIOLOGICAL PIONEERS” ACCESSIBLE IN ALASKA
Founded in 1990, Bioneers (www.bioneers.org) is a nonprofit organization that promotes practical environmental solutions and innovative social strategies for restoring the Earth and communities.
The 15th annual international Bioneers Conference will be held in San Rafael, CA, on October 15-17th. For the first time, Alaskans will have the opportunity to participate without leaving the State. Bioneers in Alaska, also on October 15th – 17th, will be held at the University of Alaska Anchorage. This event will offer local speakers and workshops, along with plenary speakers via satellite from the event in California. Speakers beamed via satellite from the 15th Annual Bioneers Conference in California include:
Paul Hawken * Amy Goodman * Terry Tempest Williams
Amory Lovins * John Mohawk * Michael Lerner
Martha Arguello * Jason Clay * Jay Harman * Tom Linzey
Wanjira Mathai * Candace Pert * Ladonna Redmond
Aqeela Sherrills * Lateefah Simon
Connect with other Alaskans working on developing sustainable communities during the local workshops:
Greening Businesses & Organizations * Community Food Systems
Finding Common Ground * Renewable Energy * Youth Leadership Environmental Justice * Green Building * Connecting with Place
The Greening Businesses & Organizations session will feature discussion, so businesses and organizations are asked bring ideas and stories of innovative initiatives to share.
Early registration is available until September 21 ($25/day or $60 for three days). Student/Senior/Low Income early registration rates are $10/day or $25 for three days. Late registration is $30/day or $75 for three days. Student/Senior/Low Income late registration rates are $15/day or $40 for three days. Scholarships also are available at $10 for three days plus work.
Thanks to individuals representing the Alaska Center for Apppropriate Technology, the Alaska Earth Institute, Chickaloon Village Environmental Protection Department, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, and the University of Alaska Anchorage Environmental Studies Program for presenting this opportunity for Alaskans.
For more information, visit www.sustainak.org/akbioneers or call Mark Masteller at (907) 373-0909 or m.masteller@acat.org.
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WETLANDS: THE WORLD'S MOST EFFICIENT WATER QUALITY SYSTEM
On Monday, September 20, 2004, the Alaska Section of the American Chemical Society is sponsoring a talk by Ann Mary Nefcy, Ph.D., at the ZJ Loussac Library’s Wilda Marston Theater. A reception begins at 5:30 pm and the lecture will be at 6:00 pm.
America has become more protective of its wetlands. Most people enjoy wetlands for their beauty, plants, birds, and wildlife. Scientists study wetlands from all different viewpoints: botany, biology, engineering, hydrology, and chemistry. The chemistry viewpoint allows us to understand the work of the entire water quality system. Wetland soils have important characteristics that can reduce nitrates, transport nutrients, alter pesticides, detoxify heavy metals, and stabilize soils. High levels of "humic substances" make the wetland work. These are complex organic molecules, forming micelles and membrane systems in water and soils. This presentation will show how humic substances are formed, what they look like, why they work and how to analyze these compounds. When you understand the chemistry, you will also know how to create "constructed wetlands" to clean up and transform waste. This overview will enhance your appreciation for the fascinating chemistry of wetlands.
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THIS MONTH’S HOT LINK: green@work magazine http://www.greenatworkmag.com
green@work magazine is a compelling, contemporary publication dedicated to telling the stories of ecological pioneers, products, and systems that are driving an important change in corporate and bureaucratic America. It unifies many different public and private sector forces with a common cause: green initiatives. The focus of green@work is pro-business and positive. Its goal is to reinforce sustainable initiatives by sharing success stories and profiling the individuals who are making it happen. green@work explores the social, ideological, economic, and political issues that advance green design strategies, as well as the intellectual and charismatic expressions of the visionaries who are fostering mainstream acceptance of ecological advocacy.
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THANK YOU 2004 SPONSORS, GRANTORS & CONTRACTORS
Green Star could not exist without the generous financial and in-kind support of many individuals and leading local businesses and organizations. 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 2004 sponsors!
Platinum ($10,000+): Anchorage Department of Health & Human Services, Anchorage Solid Waste Services, BP, ConocoPhillips Alaska, Dell Inc., Rasmuson Foundation, University of Alaska Anchorage, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10
Gold ($5,000-$9,999): Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, FedEx Express, Horizon Lines, TOTE, Weaver Brothers
Silver ($2,500-$4,999): Anchorage Daily News, Anchorage Refuse (A Waste Management Company), Denali Commission, KTUU - Channel 2, Princess Tours
Bronze ($1,000-$2,499): Airport Equipment (Materials Handling Division), Arctic Ice Productions, ACS, Cellular One, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Graphics Solutions, Lynden Transport, National Recycling Coalition, NorthWest Handling Systems, ProComm Alaska, Teamsters Local 959
Green ($500-$999): Alaska Showroom, Alaska Support Industry Alliance, Alaska Warehouse, Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, Carlile Transportation Systems, Carrs-Safeway, Corporate Express Alaska, Mettler Toledo. Scott McLeod Trucking, Smurfit-Stone Recycling Company, Waste Management, Inc.
Supporter ($250-$499): ALPAR, AWWU, Great Harvest Bread Company, Warning Lites of Alaska
Contributor (up to $250): 3M Alaska, Alaska Center for the Environment, Alaska Process Industry Careers Consortium, Alaska Showroom, American Red Cross of Southcentral Alaska, Coca-Cola Bottling of Alaska, Emerald Alaska, Grizzly's Gifts, I Copy, Iron Dog, Moose’s Tooth, Pepsi-Cola Bottling Group, Spenard Builders Supply, United Way, Wal-Mart Store #2074
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Past issues of E-News are available on our web site, sorted by topic or date: http://www.greenstarinc.org. 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
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