NEW YORK, Jan. 30, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Waste360, the leading information, event, commerce and education provider to the solid waste, recycling and organics communities, today unveiled its fourth annual 40 Under 40 awards list. The program recognizes inspiring and innovative professionals under the age of 40 whose work in the waste, recycling and organics industry has made a significant contribution to the industry. The winners are involved in every part of the waste and recycling industry, including haulers, municipalities, composters, recycling professionals, policymakers and product suppliers. The 2019 40 Under 40 awards winners (in alphabetical order by winner) are: “The 2019 class of Waste360 40 Under 40 awards winners is filled with today’s young innovators, thinkers and doers in the waste and recycling industry. Their diverse body of work has changed processes, policies and moved our industry forward,” said Mark Hickey, vice president of Waste360. “We received hundreds of inspiring nominations, which demonstrates that the future of our industry is bright. We look forward to celebrating with the winners at WasteExpo this spring.”

• Josh Bartlome, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Southern Idaho Solid Waste
• Kelly Bray, Waste Reduction and Recycling Specialist, ReCollect Systems
• Meghan R. Butler, Director, Corporate Development, Recology Inc.
• Chris Cochran, Executive Director, ReFED
• Daniel M. Dodd, Chief Technology Officer, Sierra Energy
• Melissa Filiaggi, Manager, Recycling, Maryland Environmental Service
• Mark Grillo, Chief Operating Officer, Medical Waste Management, Inc.
• Rob Hallenbeck, Manager Corporate Venturing, Technology Scouting, Waste Management
• Caitlin Hitt, Senior Director of National Accounts, RiverRoad Waste Solutions, Inc./Rubicon Global
• John F. Howard III, Crew Supervisor, DeKalb County Sanitation
• Sheri Hummel, Area Safety Director, Waste Management, Northern California-Nevada
• Aaron Johnson, Area Vice President, Eastern Canada, Waste Management
• Kristin Kinder, Director of Research and Waste Stream Sustainability, Wastequip
• Jason Knowles, Director, Vendor Relations, Enevo
• Christopher Lockwood, Divisional Vice President, Waste Pro USA
• Ricardo Lopez, Materials Recovery Facility Manager, GreenWaste Recovery
• Naomi Lue, Zero Waste Supervisor, Castro Valley Sanitary District
• Zach Martin, Vice President of Sales, North America, Big Truck Rental
• Nathan Mayer, Director of Land Management Services, Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County
• Doug McDonald, Eastern Region Controller, Waste Connections
• Amanda Mejia, Government Affairs Manager, Athens Services
• Jeff Meyers, Chief Operating Officer, The Recycling Partnership
• Jennifer Wells Milner, State Recycling Coordinator, Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality
• James R. Mitchener, Marketing Manager, Waste Industries
• Daniel Moran, Senior Director Operations, Healthcare, Covanta Environmental Solutions
• Madelyn Morgan, Planner III, City of Austin, Austin Resource Recovery
• Jake Pack Jr., District Manager, WCA Waste Corporation
• Tania Ragland, Recycling Representative, Specialist in Food Recovery and Organics Diversion Programs, Republic Services
• Katie Raverty-Evans, Government Affairs Representative, Best Way Disposal
• Henry Retamal, Operations President, Wastequip
• Rebecca Rodriguez, Solid Waste Engineering Manager, Lee County Public Utilities
• Andrew Rumpke, East Area President, Rumpke Waste & Recycling
• Michelle A. Salas, President, Lady Green Miami Recycling Co.
• Meredith Sorensen, Strategic Communications Advisor, Harvest Energy Holdings, LLC
• Mike Stoeckigt, District Manager, State of Wisconsin, Advanced Disposal Services
• Tom Szaky, President and Chief Executive Officer, TerraCycle
• Travis Timmerman, National Accounts Manager, Mack Trucks, Inc.
• Srividhya Viswanathan, Senior Project Manager and Vice President, SCS Engineers
• Patrick Winters, Sales Manager, Winters Bros. Waste Systems
• Catherine (Kate) Wolff, President, CJD E-Cycling

Additionally, Dr. Matanya Benasher Horowitz, chief executive officer of AMP Robotics Corporation, has won the first Waste360 Innovator Award, which was created to recognize innovators and forward thinkers who often use technology to better the industry. Horowitz has used technology to help haulers, landfill operators and materials recovery facility operators reach their diversion and recovery goals. A panel of expert judges from Waste360 evaluated the nominations and consulted with an external advisor to select the finalists and winners. The winners will be honored during an awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 7 at WasteExpo, North America’s largest solid waste, recycling and organics industry event, May 6-9, 2019, in Las Vegas. WasteExpo brings the key buyers and decision makers in the waste, recycling and organics industry together, making it the ideal place for Waste360 to recognize these rising stars. For more information and to register to attend WasteExpo, please visit WasteExpo.com. The Waste360 40 Under 40 awards are sponsored by CPG. For more information on WasteExpo, please visit WasteExpo.com or follow WasteExpo on Twitter at @Waste_Expo.

I have really been making it a goal of mine to be all around more conscious about our environment in the new year. I have always recycled, but I have been FAR from perfect & this year is my year of being ECO af. YOURS TOO, k? I wrote a post about the importance of swapping out your plastic straws a few weeks ago, but that was just scratching the surface of what WE can do to help protect our environment. I am NO expert in the subject, so in my quest to be more eco friendly/use my platform for GOOD, I am bringing in an ECO expert to the blog to really help us all learn more about what we can do. SO- MEET MONICA RICHARDS, AKA THE ECOBABE. I “met” Monica on Instagram & have LOVED her eco content. She shares EASY, fun, & CHIC ways to be more eco friendly for EVERYONE. Plus, she is SO.EFFING.CUTE. I mean- can we just talk about her blazer look? Nothing more I love than a total stylish babe who does her part in making the world a better place.

ENOUGH ABOUT MY THOUGHTS THOUGH, I’LL LET MONICA TAKE IT FROM HERE…

Hi babes! I’m Monica Richards, the ecobabe. I head up a community of women dedicated to changing the eco-stereotype one babe at a time. Being an ecobabe means leading a non-toxic, affordable, eco-conscious life in style. No Tevas allowed! When Erica asked me to write a little something for her babes, I jumped at the opportunity! So today, we’re talkingthe 5 easiest ways to go eco, without spending a ton of money. These are small steps each of you can take to make a big impact for us all — sea turtles included!! SO- when it comes to going green, many people assume their individual contribution (or lack there of) won’t have much of an impact.. so why even bother? BUT. You have to stop and think: if I’m decreasing my carbon footprint + I’m showing my circle how to decrease their carbon footprint + then THEY show their circle how to decrease THEIR carbon footprint… Well then. Now we have an incredible chain reaction — an entire community of people making an environmental difference. And that community will keep growing + growing. And THAT’S how we make change happen. This is the sort of climate change we NEED lol. So now you’re saying, that’s great but what can I actually DO to decrease my carbon footprint? Let’s talk plastic for a minute. Plastic is one of the worst things for our environment, simply because we use plastic for EVERYTHING. Unfortunately, it takes tons of crude oil to produce + it takes 500 years to decompose. 500 YEARS. In the United States alone, 300 million TONS of plastic is produced, only 9% of which is recycled, leaving the rest to go straight to landfill. Then, when the plastics finally start to break down, they don’t even fully decompose. They break down into micro plastics, which run off with rain water into our streams + oceans. It is proven now that every living sea turtle has a tummy full of micro plastics. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. We’re ruining our environment to produce plastic, then we’re exposing ourselves to toxins from said plastic (I won’t even get into all the studies linking conditions like autism with plastic intake), then we’re disposing of this plastic + ruining our environment EVEN MORE. See where I’m going with this? It’s one big toxic circle — that we can’t recycle!! Sounds daunting, huh? Like, how is it even possible to change this plastic problem just a little?!! This is where I come in. I show my ecobabes how to go green, without spending a ton of money + without skipping a STEP in their daily routines. So here’s where we start:

5 EASY WAYS TO BE MORE ECO-FRIENDLY

1. REUSABLE BAGS:

Each year in America, more than 380 billion plastic bags are used. Remember, 91% of these bags are NOT recycled. And you know what’s easier than finding storage space in your kitchen for all those crappy plastic grocery bags? And cheaper, now that many grocery stores charge per paper bag? Reusable bags!! Now, you can either upcycle bags you find around your house, like from those new shoes you just bought, or you can buy new bags to use over + over. (I prefer ones you can wash + dry in the laundry.) And here’s my 2 cents on ziplock bags: You don’t need them! These reusable storage bags are BPA free (way healthier), they’re thicker + sturdier (way more functional) + you can reuse them to the moon + back (way easier on your wallet). And they’re cute!

2. REUSABLE CLOTHS

Just think about how many paper towels you go through on the daily… together, Americans go through 13 billion POUNDS of paper towels each year. And here’s what’s even sadder: if each household used just one roll less, more than 554,000 trees could be saved ANNUALLY. I just died inside, how about you? But what are you supposed to use then — especially when cleaning your house? Meet e-cloth! This cloth removes 99% of bacteria with just WATER. Yup. Imagine all the money you’ll save on cleaning products + those paper towels! There’s an e-cloth for everything: kitchen surfaces, bathroom surfaces, even your floors. And you can reuse these clothes all day every day. They are magical.

3. REUSABLE CUPS

This one seems like a given, but you’ll see that apparently it’s not: Just in the U.S. alone, we go through 50 billion plastic water bottles each year. Thats 100 MILLION bottles per DAY. And only 23% of those bottles are recycled. And since plastic takes 500 years to decompose, aren’t these numbers shocking?? Enter the reusable bottle! As soon as you start using this bad boy, you’ll be saving around 156 plastic bottles each year, all by yourself. Worth it! This specific bottle is the best one I’ve found. It’s actually big enough to fit 1 liter of water (I hate having to refill my bottle a million times throughout the day). If you drink 2 of these bottles a day, you’re set. It can even have a little BPA free straw! It’s also easy to wash because nothing irks me more than a water bottle with a small mouth that’s impossible to wash! And for you coffee addicts (same), this is the chicest little reusable coffee mug. Take this to any coffee shop + they’ll be happy to it swap out for you. You can even ask for discounts! Because here’s the alarming thing about to-go coffee cups: YOU CAN’T RECYCLE MOST OF THEM. Most of those ‘paper’ cups are lined with 5% plastic. Which also means those plastic molecules are leaching into your cup of joe. Oh, + 16 billion disposable coffee cups are used around the globe each year. Don’t be a part of the coffee cup conundrum.

4. RECYCLE

At this point, we all know how vital recycling is for the health of our environment. Paper, plastics, aluminum + glass are pretty standard. For plastics, all you have to do is check with your local .gov website to see which number of plastic they take — meaning the resin identification code found on the bottom of all plastic containers. But here’s what to do with all those hard-to-recycle items, like personal care packaging, electronics + textiles. Use Terracycle! This program recycles all those non-recyclables + is pretty much my most favorite thing ever. You can either purchase a Terracycle box for the type of waste you generate most (they have a box for everything), or sign up for the free recycling programs. My favorite box to purchase is the Kitchen Separation box. This is how you recycle things like protein bar wrappers, the plastic bags that line cracker boxes, tin foil, etc. The small box lasts a long time since you can smash all your recyclables down, making room for more layers. And you can use code ECOBABE for 15% off any box!! The free recycling programs are legit. Scroll through them here. They do take awhile to accept you, so while you’re on that waitlist, start collecting your recyclables. This way, by the time you’re accepted you’ll be ready to send them in! I’m in the personal care program (which even accepts mascara + lipstick tubes) + I’m obsessed with sending in my beauty empties.

5. REUSABLE STRAWS

Ever heard the saying ‘straws suck’? That’s because Americans use 500 MILLION plastic straws… EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. And since straws take up to 200 years to decompose in landfills, not to mention many of these straws end up in our oceans as little plastic daggers of death for marine life, single use straws are an epidemic. Also, every time you sip on a standard disposable straw, you’re putting toxic plastic directly in your mouth(!!!). The best way to combat all of this is to make that switch to reusable straws. And nowadays, it’s the trendy thing to do anyway YAY! To make things even more adaptable, there’s also a straw for every type of babe: There’s a metal straw for chic photos on the gram. These are super durable + I carry them in my purse + car. There’s a silicone straw for that just-like-a-regular-straw feel. These are bendy + soft. And there’s a glass straw for the most clean option, as you can see right through them. These don’t become hot in hot drinks. The reusable straw options are cute + by using them, you’ll be sparing the environment 38,000 plastic straws just by YOURSELF. Win win.

My family recently made an effort to cut out single-use plastic from our life. Or at least, to reduce it significantly. We're certainly not the first people to do this. We wanted to draw on the collective knowledge and experience of our fellow Southern Californians. So we asked you to share your thoughts on plastic waste and strategies for reducing it. In general, while many recognized the incredible usefulness of plastic for some things, many respondents voiced concerns about the effects of plastic waste on sealife, human health and the urban environment around us. Recycling is great, but waste management leaders recognize that a lot of plastic simply isn't or can't be recycled. Not littering is, well, obvious. But who hasn't stuffed a granola bar wrapper into their pocket only to find later that it fell out? I have. "Take a walk outside, anywhere you live in L.A. You'll find something made of plastic within seconds — something that probably has not been deliberately littered, but something that has blown out of a trash can or broken down into smaller pieces," wrote L.A. resident Kim Riley. Here are some strategies you suggested for reducing our personal and collective plastic waste: Refuse first: Do you really need those plastic forks from the take-out place when you were planning to eat at home anyway? Many of you told us to "just say no." When LAist reader Les Amer ends up with plastic utensils, "I give them a wash or at least a rinse, and then use them over again." Buy produce in reusable bags: Lots of Angelenos suggested using cloth bags or washing and reusing plastic bags. Tamar Christensen said if she forgets her bags, she puts vegetables right in her shopping cart. "In either case, I have no need for disposable bags, even when I forget (reusables)," she said. (Just make sure you wash them regularly.) Buy in bulk: Many grocery stores have bulk sections. Reusable containers or cloth bags work great for everything from granola to sugar to pistachios. But many of you said you wished more products were available in bulk. "I have been to other countries where people take their containers with them to the store to buy products such as milk and detergent," said Pasadena resident Reynold Watkins. "I would be 100% willing to do the same if the option were available." Some local businesses, like BYO Long Beach and Sustain LA, do offer detergent in bulk, along with other cleaning and personal care products. Be prepared: Carry a reusable water bottle, hot drink mug and set of utensils. Keep shopping bags in your car. What else might you need to avoid throw-away plastic items? "Planning out my day and bringing things that I think I will need has helped dramatically," wrote Burbank resident Kelsi Payne. L.A. resident Raj Patel said he's adopted a "BYO (Bring Your Own) mentality." He even carries a tiffin container for leftovers when he goes out to eat. Recycle smartly: Find out what is actually recyclable from your city or waste management company. Burbank resident Tracy Larson said she has educated herself about what can and can't be recycled. "I clean out what can be recycled and don't wishfully recycle things that I know can't go in the bin," Larson said. She added that she tries to reuse containers a few times before recycling. Also: §  Take clear, clean plastic bags back to grocery stores for recycling. The American Chemistry Council has guidelines for recycling plastic bags and film. §  Check out TerraCycle for hard-to-recycle items. Collect pet waste with used bags: Devin Berman from Buena Park said she uses chip bags or other used plastic bags to pick up dog poop and kitty litter. Laura Santos uses newspaper to pick up and dispose of pet waste. Be conscious of the plastic in your clothes: Many synthetic fibers include plastic. Seek out clothes made from cotton and other natural fibers, buy used clothing or swap with friends. L.A. resident Nicole Robertson said her concerns about clothing waste led her to stop buying clothes eight years ago. "It also inspired me to start a clothing swap business to help other people mix up their wardrobes in a more sustainable way," Roberton said. A number of clothing stores also let you drop off used clothing for recycling. Vote with your dollar: Cheryl Procaccini from Laguna Beach said that she asks restaurant owners, farmers' market vendors and other businesses she frequents to find sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic. "We refuse to do business with those who don't," Procaccini wrote. "We write bad reviews for businesses that are using plastic, and say why, and write positive reviews for businesses using sustainable products." Spread the word: Jillian Mayo said her main strategy for trying to live more sustainably is "doing so out loud. Voicing your values, engaging with local businesses to encourage earth-friendly practices, and welcoming discussion with others who have knowledge to share, are curious about living more sustainably, or for whom the subject has never crossed their minds." Encourage producers to be responsible for waste: Several people mentioned the concept of "extended producer responsibility," or holding product makers accountable for the lifespan of their product. Martin Stone from Indio wrote that municipal garbage collection services ought not to be responsible for figuring out what to do with a manufacturer's disposable packaging. "I believe that all manufacturers ought to be responsible for everything they produce from cradle to grave." Pasadena resident Jonathan Levy wrote, "If they were responsible for the disposal of their products, we would see a pretty immediate and dramatic reduction of single-use items from landfill and the environment." Small changes can make a big difference: Anne Bannon worried that the thought of going completely plastic-free could scare people away from making even small changes. "We consider this a marathon, not a sprint," she wrote. "Given just how prevalent plastic is, it takes a lot of time and effort to keep it out of the house in the first place. We just keep working at it, making small changes that will stick rather than worry about being perfect." Thanks everyone for writing in! If you've got more tips, leave them in the comments below.  

The L'OCCITANE Group, a global manufacturer and retailer of natural cosmetics and well-being products with five leading brands, and Loop Industries, Inc., a leading technology innovator in sustainable plastic, announced today the signing of a multi-year supply agreement for Loop branded 100 percent sustainable PET plastic. The agreement will see the L'OCCITANE en Provence brand start to incorporate Loop PET plastic into its product packaging as of 2022, enabling it to increase from its current 30 percent recycled plastic to reach 100 percent in its bottles by 2025 and place the Loop logo on all packaging containing Loop PET plastic. As the demand for sustainable packaging solutions continues to grow, Loop Industries has emerged with transformational upcycling technology that allows plastic bottles and packaging, carpet and polyester textile of any colour, transparency or condition and even ocean plastics that have been degraded by the sun and salt, to provide brand owners a sustainable plastic product that helps solve the plastic pollution problem and meets FDA requirements for use in food-grade packaging.  So, when the Loop logo appears on a package, it is a confirmation for consumers that the plastic is sustainable. It is a revolutionary development and L'OCCITANE is excited to be amongst the global brands partnering with Loop, as the group continues to innovate and set new industry standards. "Helping companies leverage their packaging as a symbol of their commitment to sustainability rather than a symbol of waste is one of our primary missions. We are so pleased to work with the L'OCCITANE Group, a leading premium retail brand, to do just that," said Daniel Solomita, Founder & CEO of Loop Industries. "We are convinced that companies that make this transition, use sustainable packaging and encourage recycling, will help restore our environment and create greater economic value." The L'OCCITANE Group has always been very conscious of the impact of packaging and the fundamental importance of eco-design and recycling. With nature at the heart of its business, the group is committed to limiting its impact on the environment at every possible step, from product formulation and sustainable packaging through to final product distribution. The company first introduced eco-refills in 2008 and currently proposes 15 L'OCCITANE en Provence eco-refill products. These not only use up to 90% less packaging than the original containers (representing a saving of 121 tons in 2018), but also lower CO2 emissions thanks to the reduced product transport. The group is working with specialised suppliers to design lighter packaging that prioritises recycled materials, and aims to increase its current 84% technically recyclable plastic to 100% by 2025. Both Loop and L'OCCITANE know how important it is to keep plastic in the economy and out of our shared environment.  This agreement supercharges L'OCCITANE's ability to close the loop on its plastic bottles. L'OCCITANE is going even further and is providing in-store recycling facilities to encourage its customers to participate as well. Since 2014, L'OCCITANE has been working with TerraCycle® to provide in-store recycling facilities for empty cosmetics containers and now offers in-store recycling at 30% of its owned stores across the world, aiming to reach 100% by 2025. For Adrien Geiger, Global Brand Director at L'OCCITANE en Provence: "Our brand is inspired by nature, people and culture and we have been using natural plant-derived ingredients and eco-friendly manufacturing for more than 40 years. We are therefore very conscious of the importance of eco-design and sustainable packaging. We have been launching eco-refill products, in-store recycling and bottles made out of 100% recycled plastic for more than 10 years and are continuing to progress on this. The innovative technology that Loop provides is a game-changer that can help us fundamentally contribute to solving the growing global concern about plastic pollution. We are excited to sign with Loop, representing a significant shift in our approach to plastic." The L'OCCITANE Group is using the Sustainable Development Goals as a framework to proactively address its environmental challenges and contribute towards the global effort to reduce plastic pollution. As part of this, L'OCCITANE en Provence has signed the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, an initiative that is driving action with businesses and governments to work on solutions that address the root and causes of plastic waste and pollution. Loop Industries, Inc. is a technology company whose mission is to accelerate the world's shift toward sustainable plastic and away from our dependence on fossil fuels. Loop's patented and proprietary technology decouples plastic from fossil fuels by depolymerizing waste polyester plastic and fiber to its base building blocks (monomers). The monomers are then filtered, purified and repolymerized to create virgin-quality polyester plastic suitable for use in in food-grade packaging. Sources: L'OCCITANE Group

 

 

Denton, Texas (January 30, 2019) – TerraCycle, the world’s leader in the collection and repurposing of complex waste streams, has joined forces with Keep Denton Beautiful, Inc. (KDB), a Keep America Beautiful affiliate, to collect and recycle cigarette butts throughout Denton’s business districts and City parks.   “Research from Keep America Beautiful tells us that cigarette butts are the most littered item in the United States and that butts frequently make it to our waterways,” said Program and Volunteer Coordinator Carly Weld. “We know that high traffic areas are most littered, so KDB strategically partners with the city, private business owners, and our dedicated volunteers to combat the litter. We strive to keep Denton clean and beautiful and this is one way to do it.” Through this program, KDB is not only addressing the nation’s most commonly littered item but also a form of unbiodegradable plastic waste. Since employing their Cigarette Litter Prevention Program (CLPP) in 2007, Keep Denton Beautiful has been especially aware of this fact. After successful implementations of CLPP, KDB has been able to place 19 receptacles in the Fry Street Area and Downtown Denton, resulting in an annual trend of forty percent less cigarette litter in commercial zones. More recently in 2018, KDB placed 5 receptacles in Quakertown Park and reports a litter reduction of two-thirds since preliminary scans in July. KDB currently maintains a total of 16 cigarette receptacles throughout the city and ships all collected waste to TerraCycle for recycling.  To date, Keep Denton Beautiful has shipped approximately 106,000 cigarette butts which translates to 106 pounds of waste diverted from landfills, incineration, or the environment. When processed, the paper and tobacco is separated from the filter and composted. The filter is recycled into plastic pellets which can be used by manufacturers to make a number of products such as shipping pallets, ashtrays and park benches. “These receptacles will help keep the city of Denton free of one of the most littered items on the planet,” said Tom Szaky, the founder and CEO of TerraCycle. “With this program, KDB is taking a step to reduce the amount of trash going to landfill while also preserving the area’s natural beauty.” TerraCycle has collected hundreds of millions of cigarette butts globally. Additionally, through its various recycling programs, it has engaged over 100 million people across 21 countries to collect and recycle more than four billion pieces of waste that were otherwise non-recyclable.

According to the United States Energy Information Administration, a staggering 92 percent of all lit buildings in the U.S. have standard fluorescent lighting. There’s a good reason for the disproportionate use of fluorescent lighting throughout the non-residential sector — it works.  Fluorescent lights provide a variety of visible light spectrum options and are inexpensive.  Additionally, fluorescent lamps were the most energy-efficient choice in the past. For businesses and facilities that had to consider the budgetary impact of utility costs, fluorescent lamps had long been the best choice for keeping electrical cost under control.

A study in schools

To see the impact of fluorescent versus LED lamps, let’s look at a school district outside of San Antonio, Texas. The district has a total population of about 68,000 students and 13,500 faculty and staff spread over seven high schools, 14 middle schools and 46 elementary schools. To power the lighting in a large school district is an expensive proposition. If the district used incandescent lighting, the costs could be estimated at a staggering US$90 million or more. But by using fluorescent lighting, the approximate costs are a much more manageable US$30 million per year. But what if they could save even more money? Technology has finally brought a viable, money-saving option for large-scale lighting customers. The light emitting diode (LED) has existed for decades, but only recently it became financially viable for widespread use. LED technology has substantially fallen in price over the last decade and design options have increased — paving the way for facilities to switch out fluorescent lamps. The first and most attractive benefit to LED lighting is energy efficiency. Looking at the standard 32-watt fluorescent bulbs the school district uses, it is possible to swap out these lamps for an LED replacement that gives off the same amount of light (measured in lumens) while operating at 13 watts. Immediately, the district can slash their lighting costs by more than half. Next, consider that a fluorescent bulb may last 8,000 hours. An LED equivalent is rated to last 25,000 hours, or three times as long. Although the fluorescent lamp would only cost roughly US$1.83 retail compared to the LED equivalent, costing around US $5.00, the operational lifetime of the LED is more than three times as long. Longer operating life means lower cost of maintenance. If custodial and maintenance staff need to change lamps a third as often as they currently do, there is a direct operational savings. Plus there is the added benefit of freeing up manpower to focus on other responsibilities. In the most rudimentary retrofit program — simply switching out fluorescent lamps for more efficient LED lamps — substantial savings can be obtained. To take this even further, companies that specialize in lighting and energy efficiency can perform large-scale energy audits and design a complete overhaul of the lighting systems in a complex environment like a school district. An efficiency specialist can analyze the technical capabilities of a facility and determine if the retrofit program should focus on lamps, fixtures, controls or a mixture of all the lighting components to achieve the desired outcome. A clear example of energy savings through an LED retrofit is a medical center near Wichita, Kansas. By switching out fluorescent lamps for high-performance LEDs, the hospital took the annual electrical usage of 1,712,550 kilowatt-hours down to 495,278 kilowatt-hours. Obviously, the electricity cost savings will pay for the initial investment in the LED lamps, but it is also important to note that changing over to LED lighting will have a noticeable impact on the hospital’s ability to remain compliant with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Advantages of EPA compliance

Fluorescent lamps are considered universal waste by the EPA because they contain mercury. As a universal waste, spent fluorescent lamps must properly and safely stored until disposal can be facilitated. The EPA has strict rules regarding the handling of fluorescent lamp waste, and storage can be a hassle. A hospital, college or any other non-residential facility is obligated to maintain spent lamp storage, prevent accidental breakage of spent lamps and coordinate disposal with a certified hazardous waste handler. Eliminating fluorescent lighting from a facility or campus can free up storage space and lessen the amount of manpower spent on waste compliance. Furthermore, when a lighting and efficiency specialist performs a retrofit, they can use drum-top bulb crushers to compact the fluorescent bulbs in an environmentally sound way. Bulb crushers attach to a steel drum for collection of compacted bulbs. Using a four-stage activated carbon filtration system to lock in the mercury, the system has HEPA filtration to protect the air. By compacting, a contractor can lock and neutralize the mercury from as many as 1,350 fluorescent lamps in a single, steel drum. This helps prevent accidental contamination of a facility from lamp breakage and can be beneficial in OSHA-compliance, as well. Of course, this also cuts transportation cost for the waste and protects the environment, not to mention drastically reduces the project footprint.

Combining technologies

There are several energy-saving technologies that can help facilities dramatically cut their utility costs. Replacing older fluorescent lighting with LED systems means facilities can take advantage of the higher flexibility of LED lamps. An energy efficiency specialist can integrate the retrofit fixtures and lamps with occupancy sensors, allowing lights in unused areas to power-down when not needed. Lighting engineers can also utilize the relatively new science of daylight harvesting, which is the science of managing the natural light available indoors. Bringing the sun’s broad spectrum of light into an interior space not only saves electricity, but has been scientifically proven to improve mental focus and productivity. On a recent retrofit project at a Fortune 500 company in Fort Collins, Colorado, an energy efficiency specialist removed 16,500 fluorescent lamps. The lamps varied in age, but there was an average of about six milligrams of mercury in each lamp. A quarter-pound of mercury captured may not seem like very much, but according to the provincial government of Prince Edward Island, 500 milligrams of mercury (the amount in of mercury in a household thermometer) will contaminate enough water to fill 200 Olympic swimming pools. By using a drum-top bulb crusher on the project, a quarter-pound of mercury was safely reclaimed. If accidentally released, that would be enough mercury to poison all the water used by the entire state of Utah on any given day. The environmental impact doesn’t end there. In the case of the Fort Collins retrofit project, reducing the energy consumption by 2.4 million kilowatt-hours a year reduces the mercury emissions related to burning coal by about 56 grams. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, burning coal for electric generation releases sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides and particulates (soot) that include lead and heavy metals into the air. The LED conversion prevented 1,787 metric tons of CO₂ greenhouse gases from being released into the atmosphere. By converting to LED lighting and high-efficiency lighting controls, the customer in Fort Collins is making a measurable difference in their community’s air quality and overall environmental health.

Up-front investments

Change can be expensive; there is no denying this fact. To perform a major retrofit, there will have to be an up-front investment. Fortunately, there is great support for facilities that are interested in making such a change. Utility companies and several other entities are offering incentives for facilities that are making the switch to high-performance LED lighting. In the case of the Texas school district, grants and incentives of more than US$300,000 helped fund the project. An experienced retrofit partner or energy provider will be able to help facility management find all appropriate grants, incentives and discount programs to make the initial investment more affordable. It is also important to note the price of the project is often recouped within three-to-five years. The energy savings alone is usually enough to justify the cost of the retrofit. Whether a facility is looking to gain accreditation for energy efficiency or environmental impact reduction, or the organization is simply looking for a way to make a long-term cost reduction, a lighting retrofit program may be the answer.

There are plenty of items you’ve planned to get rid of over the winter months. Use Old Stuff Day as an excuse to try out these decluttering hacks.

Nylons need to be cleaned before getting recycled because it melts at a lower temperature. That lower temperature means bacteria can survive. Timbuk2 will send you a coupon if you choose to recycle your bag from them. Just send your bag to them and once they get a pallet full of bags, they send them to TerraCycle for recycling. Bureo takes old nylon fishing nets and makes them into skateboards and sunglasses. Use those nylons to clean around the house.  

Participants in Optometry Giving Sight’s 2018 World Sight Day Challenge form a giant “floater.”

GOLDEN, Colo.—Optometry Giving Sight reported that its 2018 World Sight Day Challenge drew widespread support from over 160 companies and over 360 optometry practices around the world. Their collective efforts raised over $970,000, enough to deliver eye exams and glasses to over 190,000 people in need of eyecare, the organization said. “Every World Sight Day Challenge, we’re blown away by the generosity and loyalty of our supporters. We’re thankful for each one: from the large companies generously donating to the small practices passionately fundraising,” said Optometry Giving Sight’s global director of development, Leigh Cleave. “It only takes $5 to provide an eye exam and a pair of glasses to a child or adult in need, so we meant it when we say ‘every little bit counts.’” The World Sight Day Challenge encourages the optometric community to donate and raise funds toward much-needed sustainable eyecare projects overseas. Companies, practices, optometry doctors and students joined together to hold bake sales, auctions, guessing competitions, talent shows, running events and walkathons, getting patients, employees and customers involved. Longstanding Optometry Giving Sight supporter and Global Gold Sponsor CooperVision, had a record-breaking year raising over $260,000 through their remarkable employee fund-raising campaign.Over 40 global CooperVision sites and teams participated with employee contributions up by more than 35 percent year-over-year, supported by a matching commitment from the company. 2018 took CooperVision’s cumulative World Sight Day Challenge donations over the $1 million mark.

This World Sight Day Challenge ad from WestGroupe calls attention to the importance of vision.

“Our record-breaking 2018 World Sight Day Challenge donation represents approximately 52,000 eye exams for people around the world who could otherwise be at risk of a range of vision challenges,” said CooperVision president, Dan McBride. Vision Source, another generous and long-standing partner, celebrated their 12th year participating in the World Sight Day Challenge. Over $220,000 was donated by Vision Source members and doctors, vendors, staff, family members and friends as part of their annual commitment to Optometry Giving Sight. “I never cease to be amazed by the selfless generosity of the Vision Source family; we are proud to partners with Optometry Giving Sight as Vision Source’s international charity of choice,” said Vision Source president and chief executive officer, Jim Greenwood. In Canada, WestGroupe launched social media campaign #WithoutMySight, inspired by their Challenge Champion Hani a former Syrian refugee who is legally blind. The challenging initiative encouraged participants to complete an everyday task blindfolded. The University of Montreal was the highest fund-raising optometry school raising over $7,000 through several events including a silent auction and a 5@10 social night. Bausch + Lomb Australia added an extra dose of sustainability to their support, donating $1 for every kilogram of contact lens waste sent to TerraCycle. The recycling program aims to divert contact lenses and blister packs from landfill, turning plastic components into recycled materials.

Supporters of Optometry Giving Sight got their creative juices flowing for the 2018 World Sight Day Challenge to raise enough funds to deliver eye exams and glasses to over 190,000 people in need of eye care. Over 160 companies and over 360 optometry practices around the world took part in the challenge raising over US$970,000! “Every World Sight Day Challenge, we’re blown away by the generosity and loyalty of our supporters. We’re thankful for each one: from the large companies generously donating to the small practices passionately fundraising,” said Optometry Giving Sight’s Global Director of Development, Leigh Cleave. “It only takes $5 to provide an eye exam and a pair of glasses to a child or adult in need, so we meant it when we say ‘every little bit counts’.” The World Sight Day Challenge encourages the optometric community to donate and fundraise towards much-needed sustainable eye care projects overseas. Companies, practices, optometry doctors and students joined together to hold bake sales, auctions, guessing competitions, talent shows, running events and walkathons, getting patients, employees and customers involved. Longstanding Optometry Giving Sight supporter and Global Gold Sponsor CooperVision, had a record-breaking year raising over $260,000 through their remarkable employee fundraising campaign. Over 40 global CooperVision sites and teams participated with employee contributions up by more than 35 percent year-over-year, supported by a matching commitment from the company. 2018 took CooperVision’s cumulative World Sight Day Challenge donations over the $1 million mark. “Our record-breaking 2018 World Sight Day Challenge donation represents approximately 52,000 eye exams for people around the world who could otherwise be at risk of a range of vision challenges,” said CooperVision President, Dan McBride. Vision Source®, another generous and long-standing partner, celebrated their 12th year participating in the World Sight Day Challenge. Over $220,000 was donated by Vision Source members and doctors, vendors, staff, family members and friends as part of their annual commitment to Optometry Giving Sight. “I never cease to be amazed by the selfless generosity of the Vision Source family; we are proud to partners with Optometry Giving Sight as Vision Source’s international charity of choice,” said Vision Source President and Chief Executive Officer, Jim Greenwood. In Canada, Westgroupe launched social media campaign #WithoutMySight, inspired by their Challenge Champion Hani a former Syrian refugee who is legally blind. The challenging initiative encouraged participants to complete an everyday task blindfolded. The University of Montreal was the highest fundraising optometry school raising over $7000 through several events including a silent auction and a 5@10 social night. Bausch + Lomb Australia added an extra dose of sustainability to their support, donating $1 for every kilogram of contact lens waste sent to TerraCycle. The recycling program aims to divert contact lenses and blister packs from landfill, turning plastic components into recycled materials. Optometry Giving Sight would like to thank everyone who participated in World Sight Day Challenge 2018!