WSPPN News
Abstract: The number of restaurants getting green certification has accelerated recently. For example, a recent survey conducted by SCA, makers of the Tork brand, found that 64 percent of consumers said they would more likely visit an environmentally responsible restaurant.
Source: FastCasual.com
Read the complete article: http://www.fastcasual.com/article/192568/More-restaurant-chains-aiming-for-green-certification
Abstract: The need for potable water is one of the most pressing issues facing our growing population. At the same time, we are surprisingly unaware of how serious this issue is. To combat this lack of awareness, many organizations are stepping up their educational efforts: MGM and Cirque du Soleil along with other hospitality industry leaders such as the Green Meeting Industry Council are partnering with ONE DROP an international charity promoting the importance of water and awareness of water issues.
Source: 3BL Media
Read the complete article: http://3blmedia.com/theCSRfeed/Social-Enterprise-Two-Big-Global-Brands-Join-Forces-Promote-Importance-Water
Abstract: Guests can pedal stationary bicycles which provide enough power to charge a cell phone. Starwood’s official publicity material says the move’s aimed at hyping the chain’s balanced-life positioning. It certainly won’t put a dent in their energy usage, but draws attention to energy issues. Or is it just hype and greenwashing?
Source: USA TODAY/Hotel Check-in blog
Read the complete article: http://travel.usatoday.com/hotels/post/2012/03/starwood-element-hotel-contribution-to-usas-energy-deficit/648826/1
Abstract: Properly cleaned carpet can improve indoor air quality and reduce airborne particulates and allergens, according to a report by the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate (ISIAQ). The studies show that carpet can act as a filter to trap dust, dirt and allergens, compared to a hard flooring material where particulates can redistribute into the environment and affect air quality. The report showcased research compiled by a manufacturer of cleaning equipment which includes Green Seal certified products. A Green Building News article discusses the report.
Source: Green Building News
Read the complete article: http://www.greenbuildingnews.com/articles/2012/03/21/clean-carpet-benefits-iaq
ScienceDaily (May 8, 2012) — The CUNY Energy Institute, which has been developing innovative low-cost batteries that are safe, non-toxic, and reliable with fast discharge rates and high energy densities, announced that it has built an operating prototype zinc anode battery system. The Institute said large-scale commercialization of the battery would start later this year.
Zinc anode batteries offer an environmentally friendlier and less costly alternative to nickel cadmium batteries. In the longer term, they also could replace lead-acid batteries at the lower cost end of the market. However, the challenge of dendrite formation associated with zinc had to be addressed. Dendrites are crystalline structures that cause batteries to short out.
To prevent dendrite build-up, CUNY researchers developed a flow-assisted zinc anode battery with a sophisticated advanced battery management system (BMS) that controls the charge/discharge protocol. To demonstrate the new technology and its applications, which range from peak electricity demand reduction to grid-scale energy storage, they have assembled a 36 kilowatt-hour rechargeable battery system.
The system, housed in the basement of Steinman Hall on The City College of New York campus, consists of 36 individual one kWh nickel-zinc flow-assisted cells strung together and operated by the BMS. In peak electricity demand reduction, batteries charge during low usage periods, i.e. overnight, and discharge during peak-demand periods when surcharges for power usage are very high.
“This is affordable, rechargeable electricity storage made from cheap, non-toxic materials that are inherently safe,” said Dr. Sanjoy Banerjee, director of the CUNY Energy Institute and distinguished professor of engineering in CCNY’s Grove School of Engineering. “The entire Energy Institute has worked on these batteries — stacking electrodes, mounting terminals, connecting to the inverters — and they are going to be a game changer for the electric grid.”
The batteries are designed for more than 5,000 — 10,000 charge cycles and a useful life exceeding ten years. The demonstration system is being expanded currently to 100 kWh, with another 200 kWh to be installed later this year. At that point, it will be capable of meeting more than 30 percent of Steinman Hall’s peak-demand power needs, yielding savings of $6,000 or more per month.
ScienceDaily (May 8, 2012) — The CUNY Energy Institute, which has been developing innovative low-cost batteries that are safe, non-toxic, and reliable with fast discharge rates and high energy densities, announced that it has built an operating prototype zinc anode battery system. The Institute said large-scale commercialization of the battery would start later this year.
Zinc anode batteries offer an environmentally friendlier and less costly alternative to nickel cadmium batteries. In the longer term, they also could replace lead-acid batteries at the lower cost end of the market. However, the challenge of dendrite formation associated with zinc had to be addressed. Dendrites are crystalline structures that cause batteries to short out.
To prevent dendrite build-up, CUNY researchers developed a flow-assisted zinc anode battery with a sophisticated advanced battery management system (BMS) that controls the charge/discharge protocol. To demonstrate the new technology and its applications, which range from peak electricity demand reduction to grid-scale energy storage, they have assembled a 36 kilowatt-hour rechargeable battery system.
The system, housed in the basement of Steinman Hall on The City College of New York campus, consists of 36 individual one kWh nickel-zinc flow-assisted cells strung together and operated by the BMS. In peak electricity demand reduction, batteries charge during low usage periods, i.e. overnight, and discharge during peak-demand periods when surcharges for power usage are very high.
“This is affordable, rechargeable electricity storage made from cheap, non-toxic materials that are inherently safe,” said Dr. Sanjoy Banerjee, director of the CUNY Energy Institute and distinguished professor of engineering in CCNY’s Grove School of Engineering. “The entire Energy Institute has worked on these batteries — stacking electrodes, mounting terminals, connecting to the inverters — and they are going to be a game changer for the electric grid.”
The batteries are designed for more than 5,000 — 10,000 charge cycles and a useful life exceeding ten years. The demonstration system is being expanded currently to 100 kWh, with another 200 kWh to be installed later this year. At that point, it will be capable of meeting more than 30 percent of Steinman Hall’s peak-demand power needs, yielding savings of $6,000 or more per month.
An article from Environmental Leader
Seventy-two percent of US companies say sustainability influences their purchasing decisions and is an important factor when selecting a service provider, according to a survey by cloud computing firm Rackspace Hosting.
Outside of the US, 91 percent of companies that participated in the survey said sustainability has been built into their purchasing decisions on either a periodic or standard basis.
The survey results show sustainability expanding from a “nice to have” to a “need to have” as companies understand that selecting solid partners as part of their supply chain translates into lower risk and more efficiency, said Melissa Gray, director of sustainability at Rackspace.
The 2012 Rackspace Green Survey questioned randomly selected companies on the importance of sustainability versus cost. Of the 2,000 companies selected for the survey, 232 responded. The respondent companies came from 24 countries including the US, UK, New Zealand, Australia and Brazil.
The survey also found:
To view article, http://www.environmentalleader.com/2012/04/30/survey-sustainability-an-important-factor-in-supply-chain-choices/
NPR
Americans generate more trash than anyone else on the planet: more than 7 pounds per person each day. About 69 percent of that trash goes immediately into landfills. And most landfill trash is made up of containers and packaging — almost all of which should be recycled, says Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Edward Humes.
NPR
Americans generate more trash than anyone else on the planet: more than 7 pounds per person each day. About 69 percent of that trash goes immediately into landfills. And most landfill trash is made up of containers and packaging — almost all of which should be recycled, says Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Edward Humes.
From the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable
Proctor & Gamble Co. announced that its environmental sustainability scorecard analysis tool will be made freely available for use by any company. The Excel-based analysis tool enables companies to measure and interpret key environmental sustainability metrics across their supply chains and identify progress as well as opportunities for improvement.
The scorecard measures absolute or intensity improvements in nine key metrics including energy use, water use, waste disposal and greenhouse gas emissions on a year-to-year basis. The scorecard has resulted in improvements and increased innovation and collaboration within its supplier network by reducing manufacturing scrap waste replacing petroleum-based materials with certified Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) material and identifying opportunities to more efficiently transport products and reduce the quantity of trucks used.
Supply Chain Environmental Sustainability Scorecard: http://www.pgsupplier.com/en/current-suppliers/environmental-sustainability-scorecard.shtml
