Archive for February, 2009
February 11th, 2009
In case you missed this in BusinessRockford.com this week…
A pending deal to bring a Chinese solar-panel manufacturer here could add 240 well-paying jobs, help nearby businesses go green for less money and put Rockford on the map for future such developments.
The cost? More than $1 million in tax breaks, 10 acres of free land and commitments by city and county officials to buy hundreds of thousands of dollars in solar panels.
… If approved, the photovoltaic solar-panel facility would be at the city’s Logistics Park near the airport. Wanxiang is planning four phases totaling 160,000 square feet. Lamb said each phase would include about 60 jobs, paying $40,000 to $70,000 a year plus benefits. The company hopes to fill most positions locally.
February 10th, 2009
In the February edition of The Voice, there’s a reminder that beginning in 2012, you will not be allowed to chuck your e-waste just any old way (how did I miss this last September?).
The article notes there’s a site that you can use to see where you can take stuff like computers. There’s slim pickens right now; let’s hope that bumps up.
Note: If you want to dispose of your TV because you bought one amid the digital transfer, you can take it to Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful’s metals drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 2 at Machesney Park Mall. The charge is $20 a TV, which helps remove chemicals to make the TVs safer for recycling.
February 9th, 2009
The number of mercury switches collected doubled in 2008 compared with 2007 in Illinois, the Illinois EPA reports (headed by our own former mayor, Doug Scott).
You might ask, “Huh?” Well, you already know mercury poses a health risk.
Here’s the backstory, according to the release:
The Illinois Mercury Switch Removal Act became law April 24, 2006. Under the law, automakers were required to develop a free collection program for mercury-containing convenience lighting switches and anti-lock brake sensors from end-of-life vehicles. Automakers created End of Life Vehicle Solutions (known as ELVS) for that purpose.
When the law was originally passed, it called for voluntary removal of the switches by vehicle recyclers, crushers and shredders. A target rate was set for 50 percent of all switches to be collected for recycling. The law stated that if that goal was not met by June 30, 2008, automakers would be required to pay vehicle recyclers, crushers and scrap metal processors a removal incentive of two dollars for every light switch removed and six dollars for every anti-lock brake sensor removed.
Since the capture rate was not met, switch removal became mandatory on September 1, 2008. Now, all mercury-containing switches from scrap or end-of-life vehicles must be removed prior to flattening, crushing, shredding or delivery of the vehicle to a scrap metal recycling facility, unless the switch is inaccessible due to significant damage to the vehicle.
In 2007, 11 recyclers submitted 15,450 switches or a total of 33.99 pounds. More than twice that amount, 32,364 switches or 70.98 pounds, was submitted in 2008 by 55 recyclers. By June 30, 2008, 10,922 switches had been collected. That number was almost doubled in the last half of the year, with 21,442 switches collected between July 1 and December 31, 2008. With the incentive payments beginning September 1, more switches were collected in the last half of 2008 than in all of 2007.
To learn more about this program, go to this site or call 877-225-3587.
To see what the EPA has on its site for education, go here.
February 6th, 2009
It’s almost a full moon Saturday night, and with the warm weather in the forecast, what a beautiful way to “warm up” to Valentine’s Day: A short hike to the “cabin on the lake” at Rock Cut State Park in Loves Park.
Severson Dells is putting it on. Meet at 4 p.m. at the parking lot on the west end of Pierce Lake near the dam and walk a half-mile through the winter landscape to the cabin. There, enjoy a fire, hot chocolate and stories (bring your favorite moon, lake or winter readings to share). Then watch the moon rise over the lake, look for wildlife and listen for owls.
This is a joint program with the Rock River Vallley Chapter of the Wild Ones.
For more info or to RSVP, call Don Miller at Severson Dells 815-335-2915 or Kim Risley at 815-962-4584.
Note: It can really be a family event, too! 
February 6th, 2009
I never really gave much thought to 100 percent recycled tissues (which somehow sounds gross when you say it, unlike napkins, which are pretty common).
But I got a press release about Small Steps tissues by Marcal.
If every household in the US replaced their box of tissues with one made from 100 percent recycled paper towels, we would save nearly one million trees.
I’m not sure where to buy them but found them online in a few places for about 2 bucks. Their Web site generates an e-mail inquiry, so maybe I can ask.
Of course, my dad with his handkerchiefs is green without trying to be green. I can’t see myself going for that. But maybe they’ll make a comeback.
February 5th, 2009
Linda Sandquist of the Rockford No Idle Zone effort, which kicks off Feb. 26, points out that economic stimulus money could go toward anti-idling efforts — $300 million in grants and loans to cut down on exhaust emissions overall. At least the way it passed the House.
FYI: Found this breakdown of “green money” in the plan from CNN.
February 4th, 2009
As I sit at my desk, it’s 2 below zero outside and slightly warmer in my office. It seems as good a time as any to share “10 tips for cutting energy costs in tough times” from the University of Illinois Extension.
1. Turn the thermostat down at night or while no one is home. You can reduce your heating bill by as much as 5 percent. Note: We’ve recently run tips here on this, but it bears repeating. And remember not to turn it down too low or you’re making your furnance work too hard.
2. Even better, install an Energy Star-qualified programmable thermostat—set to lower the heat when you’re gone and while sleeping.
3. Turn off lights when no one is in the room.
4. While you’re at it, replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs wherever possible. By replacing just five, you can save about $60 per year.
5. Unplug DVD players, battery chargers, TVs, and computers when they’re not in use. They use energy constantly.
6. Take shorter showers.
7. Fix air leaks around windows, doors, and electrical outlets. Use foam inserts, weather stripping, and caulking.
8. Install storm windows and doors or put up plastic sheeting to reduce heat loss.
9. Insulate attics, exterior walls, under floors, heat ducts, and hot water pipes.
10. Close your fireplace damper when it’s not in use to prevent cold air from entering the house.
February 3rd, 2009
… Or as Jan Herbert at the Rockford Park District said, “Green, greener, greenest.”
When I was writing with her Monday, she shared the fact that she just returned from a state conference that emphasized eco-friendly. I asked her to write a few words, and here you go….
The Illinois Association of Park Districts and the Illinois Park and Recreation Association are obviously pretty darn green in the first place. This last weekend their conference entitled “Soaring to New Heights” took place and indications were green is truly the color of their future.
Work to make the conference greener began early last summer with a joint meeting of convention planners, the Environmental Committee of the association and hotel management. The Hilton Chicago revealed their behind the scenes recycling efforts in every area from offices to kitchen, food and beverage service areas to the guest rooms, and from the top floor of the hotel to lower level exhibit halls. The Environmental Committee encouraged the use of even more recycling containers and suggested an even more aggressive position on decreasing the amount of paper used during the conference.
Getting the conference exhibitors involved as well, they were invited by the Environmental Committee to complete a short survey about their commitment to the green effort, particularly at the conference. When they met the criteria established, exhibitors could then post a certificate at their exhibit which they were to print themselves to save mailing and envelope expenses.
Nearly 10% of the Thursday, Friday and Saturday conference sessions were on “Green Track 2009”. There was a wide variety of topics including permeable paving, integration of natural resources into parks, water conservation, flood plains and the effects of climate change on turf grass. One session furnished the results of a “Greening Your Organization Pilot Project”, a joint effort of the Environmental Committee and Benefits Committee. Rockford Park District was one of the 25 participating agencies in this yearlong project.
Attendees enjoyed receiving convention materials in advance via e-mail, and during sessions, that often they needed only to note a Web site to visit where they could collect materials.
At the end of the conference badge holders were being recycled, and with help from the hotel, exhibitors were able to place excess materials in paper recycling instead of trash bins.
Work on next year’s conference begins this week with the goal of making the 2010 conference the greenest ever. I’m betting the efforts won’t go unnoticed and that other conferences will begin to “go green” themselves.
February 2nd, 2009
It was Jan Herbert with her Ford Escape hybrid with the “I GO GRN” plates. We took her picture last year for Rockford Woman. I wasn’t even paying attention to the plates. Sorry, Jan! Thanks for letting us all know …
Next Posts
