Americans drink through and toss away more than 16 billion paper coffee cups a year.
That's a lot of landfill. How much? Oh, about 25 million pounds just for the oil-based plastic coating on the paper cups, and millions more pounds of paper inside the plastic coating.
There's a new, environmmentally friendly coffee cup to fill our caffeine-addicted brains and un-fill our overflowing landfills.
It is part corn, so it requires less energy to manufacture -- and therefore generates less greenhouse gas to make. And the corn-based coating lets the cups be composted instead of landfilled.
It's called 'ecotainer' and its from Internataional Paper. One of the first and biggest customers for this new bio-degradable coffee cup is the Hilton Garden Inn chain of mid-priced hotels.
All 340 Hilton Garden Inns in the US will be using these eco-friendly ecotainers. Maybe the rest of the hotels in the Hilton chain will, too.
A cuppa joe in a cuppa corn. What will they think of next!
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Rent a Hybrid Car From Avis, Budget
Next time you need to rent a car, call Avis or Budget and ask for one of the hybrid or flex-fuel vehicles just added to their rental fleets.
It's a great way to travel green, and a great way to test drive a new fuel-efficient 'green' car that you just might want to buy when your current Old Breakdown needs to be replaced.
There are more than 2,500 gas-electric hybrids in the Avis and Budget fleets, with more models and additional rental locations being added. Models include --
Avis and Budget also rent "flex fuel" cars, which run on E-85, mixture of gas (85%) and ethanol (15%). E-85 ethanol fuel is sold at gas stations primarily in the Midwestern U.S. One of the beauties of E-85 is that flex-fuel cars also can run on 'normal' unleaded gas, without the ethanol mix. E-85 models in the two fleets include three Chevrolet models -- Chevy Suburban, Chevy Impala, Chevy Monte Carlo.
Avis and Budget also are introducing airport shuttle busses with the newest "ulta-clean diesel" technology, in Los Angeles and San Diego. Clean diesels kick out less sulfur thanks to more advanced engine and exhaust-control technology, produces fewer emissions than standard diesel fuel and engines -- a whopping 95% less.
Hybrids, flex-fuel, ultra-clean diesel. Yes, the roads are getting greener.
It's a great way to travel green, and a great way to test drive a new fuel-efficient 'green' car that you just might want to buy when your current Old Breakdown needs to be replaced.
There are more than 2,500 gas-electric hybrids in the Avis and Budget fleets, with more models and additional rental locations being added. Models include --
- Toyota Prius, the model which made hybrids cool to drive, in the compact class
- Nissan Altima, which has licensed Toyota's hybrid technology, a full-size sedan
- Ford Escape, a compact-size SUV, being added by the end of 2007
Avis and Budget also rent "flex fuel" cars, which run on E-85, mixture of gas (85%) and ethanol (15%). E-85 ethanol fuel is sold at gas stations primarily in the Midwestern U.S. One of the beauties of E-85 is that flex-fuel cars also can run on 'normal' unleaded gas, without the ethanol mix. E-85 models in the two fleets include three Chevrolet models -- Chevy Suburban, Chevy Impala, Chevy Monte Carlo.
Avis and Budget also are introducing airport shuttle busses with the newest "ulta-clean diesel" technology, in Los Angeles and San Diego. Clean diesels kick out less sulfur thanks to more advanced engine and exhaust-control technology, produces fewer emissions than standard diesel fuel and engines -- a whopping 95% less.
Hybrids, flex-fuel, ultra-clean diesel. Yes, the roads are getting greener.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Solar Energy for Death Valley
One of the sunniest spots on the planet is about to make use of all that sunshine.
The just-announced Death Valley Solar Photovoltaic System will be one of the largest in the USA. Over the next 30 years, this solar power installation will eliminate the emission of more than 284,000 tons of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide. Those are the primary contributors acid rain, smog and global warming -- and this will reduce those emissions by more than 30%.
Another way of looking at these numbers -- this is equal to planting more than 54-thousand trees and removing nearly four thousand cars from the roads.
The Death Valley project will produce enough clean, renewable energy to power more than 400 average-sized American homes.
The solar generating station is being built by Xanterra, which operates lodges, inns, restaurant and more in many National Parks, including Death Valley and Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion and Crater Lake National Parks.
The system is skedded to be up and running by March 2008. And it's only the latest of a long list of environmental initiatives by Xanterra which include generating zero hazardous waste and reducing water usage by 25%.
All good. Let's hope this photovoltaic -- solar -- energy installation idea is copied by other resorts in places where they advertise about their sunshine. California, Arizona, Hawaii, Florida, etc.
The just-announced Death Valley Solar Photovoltaic System will be one of the largest in the USA. Over the next 30 years, this solar power installation will eliminate the emission of more than 284,000 tons of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide. Those are the primary contributors acid rain, smog and global warming -- and this will reduce those emissions by more than 30%.
Another way of looking at these numbers -- this is equal to planting more than 54-thousand trees and removing nearly four thousand cars from the roads.
The Death Valley project will produce enough clean, renewable energy to power more than 400 average-sized American homes.
The solar generating station is being built by Xanterra, which operates lodges, inns, restaurant and more in many National Parks, including Death Valley and Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion and Crater Lake National Parks.
The system is skedded to be up and running by March 2008. And it's only the latest of a long list of environmental initiatives by Xanterra which include generating zero hazardous waste and reducing water usage by 25%.
All good. Let's hope this photovoltaic -- solar -- energy installation idea is copied by other resorts in places where they advertise about their sunshine. California, Arizona, Hawaii, Florida, etc.
Whale Watching in Australia
A record number of whales off Australia's South Coast this winter and spring lures whale watchers to the spectacular Grand Pacific Drive around Wollongong.
It is one of Australia’s most beautiful coastal drives, with lofty lookouts and sweeping views over the ocean to the migrating 40-ton mammals. And it's just one hour south of Sydney.
Or, get even closer to the whales aboard one of the area's whale-watching cruises. Look for large pods of whales, including the acrobatic humpback variety. Also, if you're lucky, you'll spot plus southern right, pilot, killer, fin and minky whales.
Peak viewing periods are late August through November for the whales’ southern migration, and June-July for their return to northern waters.
Kiama-based charter boat MV Signa offers two-hour whale-watching cruises.. Tickets are $55, including refreshments. The South Coast’s biggest whale and dolphin-watching operator, Jervis Bay Whales, has three-hour tours on 140-passenger catamarans. Pricing is from $55 adult, $28 children, or $130 per family, including morning tea.
It is one of Australia’s most beautiful coastal drives, with lofty lookouts and sweeping views over the ocean to the migrating 40-ton mammals. And it's just one hour south of Sydney.
Or, get even closer to the whales aboard one of the area's whale-watching cruises. Look for large pods of whales, including the acrobatic humpback variety. Also, if you're lucky, you'll spot plus southern right, pilot, killer, fin and minky whales.
Peak viewing periods are late August through November for the whales’ southern migration, and June-July for their return to northern waters.
Kiama-based charter boat MV Signa offers two-hour whale-watching cruises.. Tickets are $55, including refreshments. The South Coast’s biggest whale and dolphin-watching operator, Jervis Bay Whales, has three-hour tours on 140-passenger catamarans. Pricing is from $55 adult, $28 children, or $130 per family, including morning tea.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Wind Power for a Washington DC Hotel
We all know Washington, D.C. is full of hot air. Some of it now powers the city's most famous historic hotel, the Willard InterContinental.
A growing number of hotels in resort areas have switched to wind power, but the Willard claims to be the first 'downtown' luxury hotel in the United States to be powered 100% by wind power. All 332 rooms and suites in this landmark hotel in a landmark city.
Wind power for the Willard is being supplied by Pepco Energy Services, which also provides 100% renewable resources to the Statue of Liberty and the Ellis Island Immigration Museum in New York City, and also to the headquarters of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency headquarters in Washington, D.C.
If the EPA can switch to wind power, why can't more U. S. Government buildings do the same? Like the White House and Congress.
That would demonstrate a serious commitment to improving the environment and reducing carbon emissions -- more than all that hot air from all those government officials who populate those two buildings. The ones who seem more interested in talking than taking action.
Wind power reduces the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2), which we all know by now is the key component of greenhouse gas. Wind generators don't emit any.
The Willard is on Pennsylvania Avenue in the heart of the nation's capital, just two blocks from the White House and Congress, and has been hosting presidents and foreign heads of state since the 1850s. A chunk of American history has been written here --
It was at the Willard that Julia Ward Howe wrote The Battle Hymn of the Republic.
This hotel also is where Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King wrote his renowned "I Have A Dream" speech.
President Ulysses S. Grant popularized the term "Lobbyist" here for all the guys hanging out in the lobby bar, waiting to talk to elected officials. Lobbyists and elected officials still hang out and chat here, and you have to wonder how many deals are made over a glass or three.
My vote is for reducing hot air in Washington -- the talking kind -- and increasing the electricity generating kind.
A growing number of hotels in resort areas have switched to wind power, but the Willard claims to be the first 'downtown' luxury hotel in the United States to be powered 100% by wind power. All 332 rooms and suites in this landmark hotel in a landmark city.
Wind power for the Willard is being supplied by Pepco Energy Services, which also provides 100% renewable resources to the Statue of Liberty and the Ellis Island Immigration Museum in New York City, and also to the headquarters of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency headquarters in Washington, D.C.
If the EPA can switch to wind power, why can't more U. S. Government buildings do the same? Like the White House and Congress.
That would demonstrate a serious commitment to improving the environment and reducing carbon emissions -- more than all that hot air from all those government officials who populate those two buildings. The ones who seem more interested in talking than taking action.
Wind power reduces the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2), which we all know by now is the key component of greenhouse gas. Wind generators don't emit any.
The Willard is on Pennsylvania Avenue in the heart of the nation's capital, just two blocks from the White House and Congress, and has been hosting presidents and foreign heads of state since the 1850s. A chunk of American history has been written here --
It was at the Willard that Julia Ward Howe wrote The Battle Hymn of the Republic.
This hotel also is where Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King wrote his renowned "I Have A Dream" speech.
President Ulysses S. Grant popularized the term "Lobbyist" here for all the guys hanging out in the lobby bar, waiting to talk to elected officials. Lobbyists and elected officials still hang out and chat here, and you have to wonder how many deals are made over a glass or three.
My vote is for reducing hot air in Washington -- the talking kind -- and increasing the electricity generating kind.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Green Mountains Resort Gets Eco-Award
The new base area development at Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont has become the first ski resort in the country to earn the Audubon Green Community Award.
It's Spruce Peak at Stowe, in the heart of the Green Mountains. How appropriate.
The recognition is from Audubon International, a non-profit environmental organization headquartered in New York State. It's a step toward earning the much tougher award -- rigorous designation as a Certified Audubon Sustainable Community.
Spruce Peak’s accomplishments include --
--Permanently protecting more than 2,000 acres of wildlife habitat through conservation easements donated to the Vermont Land Trust and the state Dept. of Fish and Wildlife.
-- Restoring ten acres of summit ski terrain to their natural state plus dense forests adjacent to the base village. That provides a crucial habitat for the Bicknell’s Thrush, nesting sites for Peregrine falcons, and also friendly habitats for moose and black bear.
-- Mountain cabins built to the maximum 5-star rating of the EPA’s Home Energy Rating System. Each cabin is expected to save $3,500 per year through these 'green' energy efficiencies.
-- The a new transfer lift between the Spruce Peak and the Mount Mansfield base area, which has eliminated the need for a fleet of smoke-belching diesel buses to shuttle skiers between the two mountains.
It's Spruce Peak at Stowe, in the heart of the Green Mountains. How appropriate.
The recognition is from Audubon International, a non-profit environmental organization headquartered in New York State. It's a step toward earning the much tougher award -- rigorous designation as a Certified Audubon Sustainable Community.
Spruce Peak’s accomplishments include --
--Permanently protecting more than 2,000 acres of wildlife habitat through conservation easements donated to the Vermont Land Trust and the state Dept. of Fish and Wildlife.
-- Restoring ten acres of summit ski terrain to their natural state plus dense forests adjacent to the base village. That provides a crucial habitat for the Bicknell’s Thrush, nesting sites for Peregrine falcons, and also friendly habitats for moose and black bear.
-- Mountain cabins built to the maximum 5-star rating of the EPA’s Home Energy Rating System. Each cabin is expected to save $3,500 per year through these 'green' energy efficiencies.
-- The a new transfer lift between the Spruce Peak and the Mount Mansfield base area, which has eliminated the need for a fleet of smoke-belching diesel buses to shuttle skiers between the two mountains.
Delta Airline's Eco-Friendly Amenity Kits
Kudos to Delta Airlines.
No, they have not returned to serving real, free meals in economy --it's still just peanuts and friends. And, no, they are still charging for headsets and movies in the 'back of the bus'.
But Delta has gone 'green' in the front, in business class, at least on domestic flights.
No more fancy little amenity kit with a zipper and lots of plastic wrapping each individual item -- toothbrush, socks, eye shade, earplugs. Now, everything comes in a plain brown wrapper. Recycled brown paper, and everything is printed with biodegradable inks.
Here's what was printed on my paper bag --
"Take care of yourself and the environment. In keeping with Delta's commitment to environmental mindfulness, this amenity kit has been made Earth-friendly through the use of natural, biodegradable and recycled materials.
So, kudos to Delta. Except --
Everything in the amenity kit, including the biodegradable wrapping paper, is Made in China -- the biodegradable ink tells me so. Hmm, toothpaste Made in China -- hopefully Delta made sure it's not the kind with the poisonous ingredients that made headlines a few months ago.
No, they have not returned to serving real, free meals in economy --it's still just peanuts and friends. And, no, they are still charging for headsets and movies in the 'back of the bus'.
But Delta has gone 'green' in the front, in business class, at least on domestic flights.
No more fancy little amenity kit with a zipper and lots of plastic wrapping each individual item -- toothbrush, socks, eye shade, earplugs. Now, everything comes in a plain brown wrapper. Recycled brown paper, and everything is printed with biodegradable inks.
Here's what was printed on my paper bag --
"Take care of yourself and the environment. In keeping with Delta's commitment to environmental mindfulness, this amenity kit has been made Earth-friendly through the use of natural, biodegradable and recycled materials.
So, kudos to Delta. Except --
Everything in the amenity kit, including the biodegradable wrapping paper, is Made in China -- the biodegradable ink tells me so. Hmm, toothpaste Made in China -- hopefully Delta made sure it's not the kind with the poisonous ingredients that made headlines a few months ago.
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