2nd Quarter - 2009

Welcome to your EcoRewards E-Newsletter, bringing you current business environmental news that you will find both informative and interesting.  If you have a specific interest you would like to see in this newsletter, contact Michael Filandro.  We look forward to hearing from you.

 THE TEXAS RANGERS CONTINUE TO SHOW THEIR COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Texas Rangers Baseball Club has been partnering with AbitibiBowater to provide paper, plastic, aluminum and cardboard recycling services for the Rangers Ballpark located in Arlington, TX. Now, The Rangers are expanding that recycling partnership to maximize their waste diversion through two new initiatives:
--The EcoRewards Recycling program has provided 100 soda bottle shaped recycling receptacles (pictured left), each five feet high, throughout the concourse area.
--Texas Rangers have retained EcoRewards Recycling to complete a comprehensive waste diversion and recycling audit in order to help maximize the recovery of recyclables from the ballpark. To read more about this partnership, click here

WELCOME, HINES PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Six buildings in Northwest Houston have "upgraded" from recycling tons of paper to also recycling tons of aluminum, plastic and cardboard. Hines Assistant Property Manager Jennifer Neuhaus is looking forward to having these buildings throw out less trash and recycle more materials.

"Our Kick-Off in March went really well," says Neuhaus. "It helped us get out one consistent message to our recycling coordinators who took their training enthusiastically back to their tenants."

What Neuhaus is most pleased about is TRUE one-stop shopping with EcoRewards. "In the tenant services/real estate industry, we deal with so many people every day. What a pleasure it is to have ONE contact, Martha Womac, who answers our questions and takes care of us! And even better - Martha is very knowledgeable about recycling."

Neuhaus is looking forward to their first Waste Audit which is coming up in a week. There she will discover where even more waste from their buildings can be diverted from landfill. "At Hines we want to provide our tenants with amenities that actually mean something. EcoRewards fills that bill beautifully."

April 22 - EARTH DAY!
May 5 -     Virginia Recycling Association Conference info
June 2 -   Indiana Recycling Coalition Conference info
June 8 -   Waste Expo
June 8 -   Missouri Recycling Association Annual Conference  info
Aug 30 -  State of Texas Alliance for Recycling Summit info
Nov 15 -  America Recycles Day

Latest On-Highway Diesel Prices  Click Here

Texas' Greenest Buildings (according to their LEEDS certification*)
Houston - Gold
SYSCO Office Campus
Shell Woodcreek Phase 1 
Satterfield & Pontikes-Westway Park
Green Bank Greenbriar Branch
Gensler office-Houston
Perkins + Will

Dallas - Gold
Haworth Dallas Showroom
City of Dallas:
Hensley Field Operations Center
Northwest Service Center
Timberglen Branch Library 
South Central Police Station 

*To learn more about LEEDS certification click here


Trends and Numbers

U.S. businesses released 5% less toxic material in 2007 than in 2006. Releases to the air decreased by 7% and releases to the water decreased by 5%. However, the Toxics Release Inventory report showed increases in the releases of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals like lead, dioxin, mercury and PCBs. Overall those releases increased by 1%. A handful of facilities were responsible for those increases, according to the EPA.  For details and more information,click here

Paper Recycling is on the rise in the U.S. The American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA) released the results of its 2008 paper recovery rates survey this week, highlighting a record U.S. high of 57.4 percent, up from 56 percent in 2007. The AF&PA credited sound recycling infrastructure and the commitment of millions of Americans with the trend. To read all about the results, click here.

The global steel can recycling rate reached its highest recorded level in 2007, according to the World Steel Association. The 68% rate was a slight bump from 67% in 2006 and is the third straight year it has increased. Thirty-seven countries reported recycling 7.9 million tons of steel cans in 2007. Belgium and Germany had the highest steel can recycling rates, 93% and 91%, respectively. The United States reported a 65% rate, recycling some 1.7 million tons of steel cans.

Most Americans hate landfills. The attitude is getting worse. A recent survey of residents about their preferences on land use (by the Saint Consulting Group) reports that 78% of the respondents would oppose the idea of landfill development in their hometown. That makes landfills more objectionable than nuclear power plants, aggregate quarries and casinos!

PET water bottles are now the most recycled container by weight and by number, according to the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR). The organization says the national recycling rate for PET plastic bottled water containers has improved by 16.42 percent. Citing data from two new studies, the group says the recycling of .5 liter- or 16.9 ounce-sized bottles is encouraging. 

The EPA Unveiled the Top Four Texas Cities with the Most Energy Star Buildings in 2008- and Houston leads the list! Houston is followed by Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio. These four metropolitan areas had 404 Energy Star qualified buildings in 2008 which resulted in $130.7 million in energy cost savings. To read the entire report click here.   To read about more Energy Star Awards - click here.

Other Environmental Business News

EPA's Most Wanted The EPA is using the internet to crack down on eco-evildoers. The agency recently established an "EPA Fugitives" Web page to enlist the public's help in capturing people who have been charged with violating environmental laws and regulations. Please note the directive at the bottom of the home page, "Do not attempt to apprehend any of these individuals."  For all the dirty details, click here. 


The Economic Recovery Plan includes $7.22 billion for projects and programs administered by the EPA. The Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund will receive $4 billion. Diesel emissions reduction efforts will receive $300 million for grants and loans to help regional, state and local governments, tribal agencies, and non-profit organizations with projects that reduce diesel emissions. The EPA will post announcements of grants on the web. For updates and details, click here.

Recycled Tissue Products are coming to a kitchen or restroom near you! Kimberly-Clark has launched its newest line of paper products that contain a blend of recycled and virgin fiber. The line includes bath(room) tissue with 40 percent recycled fiber, paper towels with 60 percent recycled content and paper napkins that contain 80 percent recycled content. For details on the products, their packaging (the cardboard inner roles are made of 100% recycled content) and delivery, click here.

The Ford Motor Co. plans to market a battery-powered light commercial vehicle in North America next year.
The company is using its Transit Connect global commercial vehicle platform, developed in Europe, for the project. The electric vehicle will have a range of up to 100 miles. For more information, click here



As a rule, the hotel industry plays havoc on the environment. From the daily washing of thousands of sheets to all those tiny plastic botles of shampoo, waste is abundent. There are exceptions, however. The next time you travel for business or pleasure - you may want to look into these 5 Green Luxury Hotels. Cities include Chicago, Boston, Boulder, San Francisco and Sonoma. To read all about their green initiatives, click here.
To learn more about Green Hotels and see a listing of those in other price ranges, click here.

Famed Steinway & Sons, the 156-year-old piano company, has installed the world's largest solar-powered rooftop system. With more than 11 acres of factory operations housed in a cluster of century-old buildings in Queens, the system will provide cool air to dehumidify the factory and protect the precision pianos inside. To read about the solar panels and the entire project, click here

 
The Environmental Protection Agency released a list of Texas metropolitan areas with the largest number of energy efficient buildings in 2008 that have earned EPA's Energy Star. The list is headed by Houston, followed by Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio. These four metropolitan areas had 404 Energy Star qualified buildings in 2008 which resulted in $130.7 million in energy cost savings. To read the entire report click here.   To read about more Energy Star Awards - click here.

Recycling Containers Galore!

One of your most important duties when you get serious about recycling is to get the right containers for your environment(s).  To help you answer the question "What containers should we be using?" we have attached a brochure that presents a wide range of office/commercial recycling containers.   Our wish is that it helps you with your organizational activities. We can be of assistance with those decisions as well.  To see the brochure, click here.

If you'd like to schedule some time with our staff, just click on the big green button in the left column of this newsletter.  We can help you educate your team about recycling, show you how to save money while you're saving the planet, and just answer your recycling questions.  We look forward to hearing from you!

Coming later this year - Transaction-Level Account Reporting. You will be able to access your account information via the EcoRewards site at any time.
Details as they become available.

 WELCOME TO NEWEST ECOREWARDS PARTNERS