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Green Star E-News
Green Star E-News Vol. 7, No. 1 January 6, 2005
Recognizing Alaska organizations committed to environmental responsibility.
In this issue:
* Shining Stars
* Green Star Rolls Out New Air Quality Award Standards
* Green Star’s Annual Report Available Online
* Green Star Targets Business Sectors
* Compete in the Crafters Smackdown
* BP to Double Its Investment in Renewable Energy
* AYEA Hosts Youth Civics and Conservation Summit
* Recycle Your Christmas Tree for Free
* Assets Offers Paper Shredding Service
* Anchorage Walks – Anchorage Bikes – Anchorage Hikes
* This Month’s Hot Link: www.rcra101.org
* Thank you 2006 Sponsors
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SHINING STARS
Welcome to our latest enrollees – West High School, Mirror Lake Middle School, Paragon Design, Fort Greely Army Base, and Ptarmigan Elementary School. We hope to see each organization receive a Green Star and/or Air Quality Award in 2006!
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GREEN STAR ROLLS OUT NEW AIR QUALITY AWARD STANDARDS
As mentioned in last month’s issue, Green Star introduces newly revised Air Quality Standards this month. These standards mirror the format of the new Green Star Standards, introduced in July 2005. The original 18 standards have been condensed to eight standards and the format is a more user-friendly system with checkboxes and spaces for short descriptions. The revised Air Quality standards can be found online at www.greenstarinc.org/AQaward.php.
Green Star hopes that the new standards format will encourage more organizations to meet the Air Quality Award Standards and achieve the Air Quality Award in 2006.
Please contact Green Star at 278-7827 or info@greenstarinc.org if you would like more information about the new Air Quality Standards or would like assistance with the award process.
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GREEN STAR’S ANNUAL REPORT AVAILABLE ONLINE
Green Star recently published its FY 2005 annual report, titled “Programs, Progress & Plans FY 2005.” The document can be found at www.greenstarinc.org/review.php. Please contact Green Star at 278-2727 or info@greenstarinc.org if you wish to receive a hard copy of the report.
The annual report shares with members and other interested parties a year in review. The report summarizes Green Star's programs, and includes a list of our board members and staff, our enrollees and awardees, our volunteers and sponsors, as well as our financial report.
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GREEN STAR TARGETS BUSINESS SECTORS
In 2006, look for Green Star to begin an outreach campaign that targets specific business sectors. Green Star is developing outreach and technical assistance materials, and will present workshops focusing on a handful of different business sectors including hospitals and health care, the hospitality industry (hotels and restaurants), grocery stores, and others. The campaign will continue into the future, focusing on each industry for about six months.
Green Star’s goal is to help organizations within a sector achieve a Green Star and/or Air Quality Award during the time period. “By working with one specific business sector at a time, we have the opportunity to share information among similar businesses,” says Green Star’s Executive Director Sean Skaling. “We will continue to work with any and all businesses but see this as an opportunity to be more efficient with our assistance to the business community.”
The first sector will be Hospitals and Health Care. Look for more information on the web site as outreach is developed and workshops are scheduled.
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COMPETE IN THE CRAFTERS SMACKDOWN
Crafters Smackdown is a hilarious, fun-filled crafting competition with an edge! This event is a team crafting competition using found objects, recycled materials and previously thrown away goods that can be used to make something stunning.
The Smackdown will be held on Sunday, February 26, 2006, which is during Fur Rendezvous. Fur Rondy celebrates a vital part of Alaska history, the pioneer spirit and healthy, friendly competition. Our event combines that spirit with crafty, artsy flair. This is the first year for this event, and the organizers are looking forward to holding it every year during Rondy.
The event is organized tournament style with 16 to 32 teams beginning with basic crafting projects. The projects get progressively harder with more time allowed for each competition.
Eventually, the finalists (either eight or four teams) compete in a prime-time setting with timed projects and before a live audience.
The feel is Iron Chef meets Martha Stewart with a little pro wrestling thrown in. Everything is done in good fun, and we are considering auctioning off the completed projects to the audience. Our event sponsors will provide prizes for winning teams.
Teams will pay $50 to compete and can be two to four people per team. Audience tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for military and seniors, and free for children.
For more information about the event, contact Tara Karnes Witterholt, Director of the Recreation Afterschool Art Program at Congregation Beth Sholom, at 337-1672 or 248-8272. The event is sponsored by Congregation Beth Sholom and will be held there at 7525 East Northern Lights Blvd.
Green Star will sponsor a team and encourages businesses and other groups to join the fun as part of Green Star’s team or by forming a team of their own. If you are not feeling crafty, come on out to cheer on the teams and support reuse and recycling in action.
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BP TO DOUBLE ITS INVESTMENT IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
BP recently announced that it plans to double its investment in renewable energy, according to the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy newsletter. BP will create a new power business called "BP Alternative Energy." The new business will manage an investment program in solar, wind, hydrogen, and gas turbines that could amount to $8 billion over the next ten years. In the first phase of that program, BP plans to invest $1.8 billion over the next three years, spread roughly evenly among the four energy technologies.
BP currently provides 10 percent of the global market for solar photovoltaic power, with enough manufacturing capacity to produce 100 megawatts of solar energy each year, a capacity that BP intends to double by the end of 2006. For wind power, BP's investment will go toward new large wind power facilities, possibly including a 200-megawatt facility in the United States in 2007. BP's hydrogen investments will go toward a previously planned project in Scotland to generate hydrogen from natural gas, generate power from the hydrogen, and pump leftover carbon dioxide into a depleted oil reservoir. BP Alternative Energy will be based in the United Kingdom and will initially employ about 2,500 people around the world.
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AYEA HOSTS YOUTH CIVICS AND CONSERVATION SUMMIT
The sixth annual Civics and Conservation Summit, one of the most empowering and exciting youth training events in the State, is coming to Juneau on March 19-22, 2006. During this four-day training, 15 teens from across the State come together to learn first-hand how government works, and play a role in the decisions affecting our environment and communities. The Summit is hosted by Alaska Youth for Environmental Action.
Participating teens will learn everything from how to read a bill, to how to influence decision makers and develop powerful messages. Sessions also include: the tribal resolution process, working with state agencies on environmental decision-making, and guest presentations from lawmakers, lobbyists, and other professionals. During the event, participants will come face to face with real-life laws in progress that affect our environment. The 2006 summit is likely to include legislation addressing toxics/pesticides, renewable energy and emissions, and resource development.
Applications are due January 10 and can be downloaded from http://ayea.blogspot.com. Tuition for the week is $150. This includes all housing, meals, and local transportation and training. This does NOT include travel costs. Youth applicants are expected to work with their tribal council, Native Corporation, community organization, Rotary/Lions Club or other entities to help sponsor travel and participation. AYEA will send interested applicants information on soliciting funding support.
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RECYCLE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE FOR FREE
All Carrs stores in Anchorage, Eagle River, and Palmer (not Wasilla) now have clearly marked areas in their parking lots for the Christmas trees through Sunday, January 15th.
All lights, ornaments, tree stands and plastic bags must be removed from trees before they are dropped off. Wreathes are NOT accepted – they can’t be recycled because of wires. The public is asked to help keep the sites clean and NOT leave any unacceptable items.
Boy Scout Troop 268 is available to pick up trees for a small donation. Call 868-8899 for a pick up.
The trees are recycled into wood chips and distributed to local non-profits, schools and government agencies. Chips are used for trail cover, erosion control, and fragrant mulch for landscaping. Some of this year's recipients of the Christmas tree chips are the Boys and Girl Scout Camps, Nordic Ski Association, Anchorage Parks Department, Chugiak Dog Mushers Association, Alaska Sled Dog and Racing Association, Anchorage Botanical Gardens and the Zoo.
This program is brought to you by ALPAR (Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling), the Municipality of Anchorage’s Solid Waste Services, Carrs/Safeway, Anchorage Daily News, MIX 103.1, KBEAR 104.1, and GCI.
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ASSETS OFFERS PAPER SHREDDING SERVICES
Assets, Inc. works with individuals with development disabilities or mental illness. The mission of Assets, Inc. is to improve the employment opportunities, home environments and community connections for these individuals so that their independence and self-worth are enhanced and their community realizes the benefits of their citizenship.
One of the services provided by Assets and the individuals with whom the organization works is paper shredding. By choosing Assets to fulfill your company’s shredding needs you are assured that your unwanted files are managed in a confidential manner. Assets furnishes free locked containers equipped with one-way slots. All paper types, paper clips, staples etc. can be placed in the containers.
Assets schedules weekly, bi-monthly and on-call pick-ups of bins, depending on your agency’s needs. The bins provided hold approximately 100 pounds of paper. The paper is picked up, shredded, and recycled for approximately $25 per bin. This rate may change slightly depending on pick-up frequency, location of business etc. Please call Crystal Payne with Assets, Inc. at 334-8619 to learn more about what Assets can do to help you manage your confidential documents in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.
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ANCHORAGE WALKS – ANCHORAGE BIKES – ANCHORAGE HIKES
Anchorage is working on a Non-Motorized Transportation Plan. The plan will be a community-developed guide to help identify and prioritize projects funded through the Anchorage Metropolitan Area Solutions (AMATS) and the Capital Improvements Program. The Non-Motorized Transportation Plan will include three elements: a pedestrian plan, a bike plan, and an update of the Areawide Trails plan.
Implementation of the plan will create safer and easier ways to walk and bike to schools, to shopping, to transit, to jobs, and to public parks and buildings. It also will help alleviate air quality concerns and reduce traffic congestion as more people are able to easily get around Anchorage without a car.
To create an effective plan, the Municipality needs public input. Consider participating in one of the planning workshops, share your ideas, voice your priorities, and learn what is proposed in your neighborhood.
Development of the Pedestrian Plan kicks off this month and will take place throughout 2006. The Bike Plan will be developed in 2006 and 2007. Finally, the Areawide Trail Plan will be updated in 2007 and 2008.
Pedestrian Plan Workshops will be held on the following dates:
January 26, 7-9pm, Mears Middle School (for Southwest Anchorage)
January 30, 7-9pm, Wendler Middle School (for Northeast Anchorage)
February 2, 7-9pm, Romig Middle School (for Northwest Anchorage)
February 6, 7-9pm, Goldenview Elementary School (for Southeast Anchorage)
February 9, 7-9pm, Loussac Library (for Central Anchorage)
The Pedestrian Plan will emphasize sidewalks, walking routes, safe routes to schools. The Plan will ultimately identify projects for sidewalks, walkways and crossing improvements that will be constructed over the next 20 years as funds become available.
For more information about the Non-Motorized Transportation Plan, contact Lori Schanche at 343-8368 or schanchele@muni.org or visit www.muni.org/transplan/non-motorized.
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THIS MONTH’S HOT LINK: www.rcra101.org
Although this is a Florida-based web site, it offers an excellent overview of hazardous waste management and compliance assistance. While the specific state details may not apply, the federal regulations are current and applicable. Individuals, small businesses, and large corporations alike can benefit from this basic, straightforward information about a range of hazardous materials, including fluorescent lamps, solvents, Freon, used oil, absorbents, and many more.
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THANK YOU 2006 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 2006 sponsors!
Platinum ($10,000+): Alaska Conservation Foundation, Alaska Energy Authority, Anchorage Department of Health & Human Services, Anchorage Solid Waste Services, BP, Bullitt Foundation, ConocoPhillips Alaska, FedEx Express, Oak Foundation, Peak Oilfield Services, Rasmuson Foundation, Total Reclaim, Inc., Totem Ocean Trailer Express, University of Alaska Anchorage, Weaver Brothers
Gold ($5,000-$9,999): 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, Alaska Waste, Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility, Arctic Ice Productions, Cellular One, Chugach Electric Association, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Interior Wiring and Field Maintenance, Municipal Light and Power, Teamsters Local 959, United Freight, , Wal-Mart Wasilla
Green ($500-$999): Action Sign & Graphics/Warning Lites of Alaska, Air Van Lines, Alaska Power Association, Alaska Support Industry Alliance, 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, Wal-Mart “A” Street
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, Anchorage Publishing, 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 Guzzetti, Member Relations Coordinator
Tara Callear, Office Manager/Program Assistant
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