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Green Star E-News
Green Star E-News Vol. 6, No. 7 July 12, 2005
Recognizing Alaska organizations committed to environmental responsibility.
In this issue:
* Shining Stars
* Green Star Rolls Out New Standards
* Alaska Materials Exchange Highlights
* Green Star Receives Grants to Further Recycling
* Green Star Education Series Updates
* Alaska Renewable Energy Fair
* Alaska State Fair Recycling Volunteers Needed
* Dell Unveils Low-Lead Computers
* This Month’s Hot Link: Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies
* Thank you 2005 Sponsors
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SHINING STARS
Green Star’s Green Events continues to be popular with summer events. This month, the following events feature recycling opportunities:
ANILCA Conference (July 5-7)
Bear Paw Festival in Eagle River (July 13-17)
Oceans Festival (July 16)
If you would like to make your next event a Green Event, contact Jeanne at 278-7839 or Jeanne@greenstarinc.org, or visit www.greenstarinc.org/green_events.php for more information.
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GREEN STAR ROLLS OUT NEW STANDARDS
Green Star has revised its Green Star Standards. Look for the revised standards on the web site at www.greenstarinc.org/programs.php. The standards have been modified based on input from a planning committee and numerous Green Star members to help overcome several challenges identified in the Award process. We hope that the new standards maintain the same high level of commitment and participation while easing the process to encourage more submittals.
In general, the standards have been reduced from choosing 12 of 18, to implementing all eight offered. Each of the eight new standards offers a checklist and indicates the number of activities necessary to meet the standard. Some ask for written descriptions but Green Star staff hopes the checklist format will help speed up and simplify the process. Also, additional options for meeting standards have been added so organizations can take credit for participating in other Green Star activities and programs, such as Green Events and Electronics Recycling and other community clean-up events.
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ALASKA MATERIALS EXCHANGE HIGHLIGHTS
The Alaska Materials Exchange continues to help businesses and organizations across the State to find needed items and responsibly pass along unwanted items. Materials posted range from computers and other electronics to doors, windows, paints, and even a request for a cardboard baler. To post an item or see what’s available, visit www.greenstarinc.org/ame/ameindex.php.
Recent Postings:
* Tesoro Iron Dog needs 3-4 computers that are a year or two old with specs close to: 512 MB, 80 GB Hard Drive, CD Drive (RW preferred). These computers will be used at the Iron Dog office giving volunteers access to working with the Iron Dog web site and database. They also will be used during the Iron Dog race event to update spectators, sponsors, and participants about the race. Iron Dog is a non-profit organization. For more information, visit www.irondog.org or contact irondog@ptialaska.net.
* Amy Rowe of Shopping Alaska is in need of a steady supply of packing peanuts and bubble wrap. She is willing to pick up in the Anchorage area. For more information, contact Amy at amyrowe@gci.net or 441-7092.
Successful Exchanges:
* With the help of the Alaska Materials Exchange, the Southcentral Counseling Center received used computer equipment, including 79 17” monitors and 93 PCs, from the Municipality of Anchorage. The Southcentral Counseling Center is a non-profit mental health center providing Anchorage children and adults with a broad range of community-based mental health services.
* Green Star has pointed companies and private parties in the direction of the Alaska Linux Users Group. For donors who require documentation of their donation, AKLUG assists in routing the donation directly to non-profit groups who qualify. AKLUG worked with Kids’ Corps to provide thirty Kids' Corps families who formerly had no computer with a computer system. AKLUG wipes data from used computers and installs Linux operating systems. AKLUG also processed used computer equipment that went to KTNA, Talkeetna public radio. For more information about AKLUG, visit http://aklug.org or contact Stanley Long at slong@customcpu.com.
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GREEN STAR RECEIVES GRANTS TO FURTHER RECYCLING
This spring, Green Star received two grants from the Municipality of Anchorage’s Recycling and Waste Prevention Challenge Grant program. The first grant will allow Green Star to work with a local high school to develop a comprehensive, integrated recycling program as a pilot. The goal of this project is to demonstrate the efficiency of integrating a recycling program into the current solid waste management system and encourage the school district to consider expanding such a program to encompass the entire school district.
Alaska Youth for Environmental Action will assist with many aspects of the program, including providing in-school outreach and education and helping with a baseline waste sort at the chosen high school.
The second grant targets recycling in multi-tenant office buildings. Green Star typically works with individual businesses to set up recycling programs. By working directly with building managers or owners to establish recycling programs for entire buildings, many economies can be gained. Green Star is seeking interested building managers or owners to help work through the process of identifying appropriate collection points, bins, and haulers. A variety of incentives for participating are available through the program.
If your office building might be interested in participating in this recycling program, please contact Beth at 278-7827 or beth@greenstarinc.org.
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GREEN STAR EDUCATION SERIES UPDATES
July’s education program mentioned in last month’s E-News, focusing on the revised Green Star Award Standards, has been postponed. Look for a new date in the fall.
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ALASKA RENEWABLE ENERGY FAIR
In August, Green Star will participate in the Renewable Energy Alaska Project’s Alaska Renewable Energy Fair on Saturday, August 13th, from noon until 10pm on the Anchorage Park Strip. The fair will highlight the numerous renewable resources that Alaska possesses including wind, geothermal, biomass, hydro, tidal and solar energy resources.
The Alaska Renewable Energy Fair will feature local leaders, expert speakers, workshops, films, information booths, solar and wind energy demonstrations, food and craft booths, live music and more.
Two confirmed speakers are Randy Udall, head of the Community Office for Resource Efficiency in Aspen, Colorado, and Angus Duncan, President and CEO of Bonneville Environmental Foundation in Portland, Oregon.
For more information, contact Chris Rose at 907-745-6000 and crose@alaska.net or Hannah Manser at 317-2050 and Hannah_manser@hotmail.com.
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ALASKA STATE FAIR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Green Star is working with the Alaska State Fair and Valley Community for Recycling Solutions for a fourth year to make recycling a big part of the Fair. Last year, 220 volunteers helped divert more than 16 tons of recyclables from the landfill.
This year’s Fair dates are Thursday, August 24th, through Monday, September 5th. About 200 to 250 volunteers are needed to fill two 4-hour shifts each day. Green Star encourages groups of 10 to 15 people to sign up. Fair recycling is a wonderful opportunity for scout groups, church groups, youth groups, and even groups of co-workers to enjoy an afternoon together working on a community project. Individual volunteers also are welcome.
Many organizations and groups sign up every year for this event. Volunteers receive free admission to the Fair and free parking for up to two vehicles per group.
For information about available shift times and dates, please contact Green Star at 278-7839 or Jeanne@greenstarinc.org or visit www.greenstarinc.org/statefair2005.php.
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DELL UNVEILS LOW-LEAD COMPUTERS
Dell Inc., the world’s largest personal computer maker, recently unveiled two environmentally friendlier desktop computer systems. The new models eliminate lead from the power supply, motherboard and chassis, company officials said. However, Dell said lead still may be present in certain other components as it continues to work with parts suppliers to eliminate the toxic material.
The move comes ahead of the European Union’s July 2006 deadline requiring electronics shipped in the EU to be completely lead-free. Dell, which already bars the use of other hazardous chemicals such as cadmium and mercury, said it would meet the EU requirements before the deadline.
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THIS MONTH’S HOT LINK: Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies
This site offers descriptions of several recent Air Quality research projects that affect Alaskans. Under Research, read about an upcoming project to look at Health Effects of Diesel Exhaust on Rural Alaska.
Under Projects, click Project Archives and view Traffic as a Risk Factor for Childhood Asthma in Alaska, currently under Healthy Homes in Alaska, but this web location may change.
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THANK YOU 2005 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 2005 sponsors!
Platinum ($10,000+): Anchorage Department of Health & Human Services, Anchorage Solid Waste Services, BP, ConocoPhillips Alaska, FedEx Express, Rasmuson Foundation, Total Reclaim, Inc., Totem Ocean Trailer Express, University of Alaska Anchorage, Weaver Brothers
Gold ($5,000-$9,999): Alaska Conservation Foundation, Anchorage Media Group, Carlile Transportation Systems, GCI, Harriett Fenerty, Horizon Lines of Alaska, Ivan Moore Research, Lynden Transport, Weaver Brothers
Silver ($2,500-$4,999): Airport Equipment Materials Handling Division, Anchorage Daily News, Denali Commission, Graphics Solutions, KTUU - Channel 2, Lynden Transport, Princess Tours
Bronze ($1,000-$2,499): Alaska Laser Wash, Alaska Public Interest Research Group, Alaska Village Electric Cooperative, Arctic Ice Productions, Cellular One, Chugach Electric Association, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Municipal Light and Power, Teamsters Local 959, United Freight, Wal-Mart “A” Street, Wal-Mart Wasilla
Green ($500-$999): Action Sign & Graphics/Warning Lites of Alaska, Air Van Lines, Alaska Power Association, Alaska Support Industry Alliance, Alaska Waste Transfer, Corporate Express Alaska, Delta Airlines, Dick Wilson, From the Fair Corners Photography, Independent Lift Truck of Alaska, Kotzebue Electric Association, Mettler Toledo Scales, Moose’s Tooth Pub & Pizzeria, Northern Air Cargo, Sierra Club, Thompson & Associates,
Supporter ($250-$499): 21 North Designs, Anchorage Maintenance & Operations, Arctic Circle Air, Northern Air Cargo, Smurfit-Stone Recycling Company, Spenard Builders Supply, Yukon Equipment
Contributor (up to $250): Alaska Center for the Environment, ALPAR, AWWU, Coca-Cola Bottling of Alaska (Odom Corporation), Costco Debarr, Great Harvest Bread Company, Green’s Enterprises, Habitat for Humanity, Hot Licks Ice Cream, Pepsi-Cola Bottling Group, Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, VendAlaska
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Past issues of E-News are available on our web site, sorted by topic or date: http://www.greenstarinc.org/enews/enewsindex.php. 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 us to add to our mailing list. If you wish to unsubscribe, please email a request to unsubscribe to enews@greenstarinc.org. Thank you!
The staff of Green Star, Anchorage:
Sean Skaling, Executive Director
Jeanne Carlson, Program Director
Beth Verrelli, Program Director
Jean Marie Doherty, Member Relations Coordinator
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Additional Links:
Green Star Award
Green Events
Green Star Schools
Site Assessments
Electronics Recycling
AK Materials Exchange
AME Listings
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