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bookmark_borderStudents to Help West Chester Businesses Save Energy

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PHILADELPHIA, PA — In a ceremony today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded a $149,992 grant to the West Chester Area School District for a project to help local businesses conserve energy, save money and cut harmful greenhouse gases.

The District’s Student Conservation Corps, made up of high school students concerned about the environment, will encourage and teach area businesses simple, no-cost measures to achieve 10 percent reductions in their energy usage and emissions of greenhouse gases. The project is one of 20 nationwide funded by EPA to showcase how communities are fighting climate change.

“EPA is proud to support students who are taking responsibility for the future of our environment,” said Shawn M. Garvin, EPA’s mid-Atlantic regional administrator. “Their efforts to engage businesses in conserving energy will have pay offs economically and for the larger community by improved air quality.”

The district already has an energy efficiency program, started and implemented by students, in operation in its 16 school buildings. The district spends $3 million a year for electricity. Last year, B. Reed Henderson High School, where today’s ceremony was held, used $300,000 of electricity. Now, as a result of its “Power Down Fridays” program the school has reduced its energy use by 22 percent – saving the taxpayers $60,000 annually.

Dr. Jim Scanlon, the district’s Superintendent, expressed excitement about this grant and in particular the way it is structured. “Our students are a great resource for ideas and care so much about the future of our community. That’s why they’re a key part of the implementation strategy.”

As a part of this EPA-funded project, the district plans to broaden its conservation efforts district-wide to achieve an additional 10 percent cut in energy use and greenhouse gases. Preliminary calculations estimate that by 2012 about 1,960 metric tons of greenhouse gas (GhG) emissions will be reduced annually through efforts by the businesses and the school district.

EPA will monitor the progress of grant recipients and will post quarterly updates about each recipient online.

More information on the grants and the grant recipients: http://www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate/local/showcase/

More information about the program: http://www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate, and visit the website of the West Chester Area School District: http://www.wcasd.net

bookmark_borderUpcoming events at Whole Foods in Plymouth Meeting

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Whole Foods Market Plymouth Meeting
500 W. Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
phone 610-832-0020
wholefoods.com/stores/plymouthmeeting

Whole Planet Foundation International Sampling and Silent Auction
Monday, March 22nd
5 pm – 7 pm
Let’s change the world together. Help raise $1.5 million to empower poor women with the opportunity to lift themselves out of poverty. Join us for a sampling and silent auction, with all proceeds benefiting Whole Foods Market’s own nonprofit organization, the Whole Planet Foundation. Simply donate anywhere from $1 – $100+ at the door, and we will give you a plate. Bring that plate around the store, and our vendors will dish up some international cuisine for your sampling pleasure. You’ll also have the chance to bid on fantastic items during our silent auction. We’ll have everything from gifts from Ryah Yoga and Health to Whole Foods Market goodie bags. All proceeds from this evening will benefit the Whole Planet Foundation!

Mix.Mingle.Music
Friday, March 26th
5 pm – 7 pm
Listen to the sounds of live music in our café, and relax with an ice cold beer or a glass of wine at the Cold Point Pub. If you spend $20 or more on a wine bar card-whether you’re purchasing a new one, or loading up a used one-you will receive one free Whole Foods Market Plymouth Meeting wine glass. Limit one glass per person, while supplies last. Cheers!

bookmark_borderMid-Atlantic Region Gets First Certified Electronics Recycler

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PHILADELPHIA, PA — Through a brand new electronics recycling certification program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is taking steps to ensure that electronics recyclers adhere to highly protective standards for workers and the environment in processing pre-owned electronics.

This new certification process also means that recycled materials will not be shipped overseas without the consent of the designated country.

Three companies nationwide have received this new designation – called Responsible Recycling Practices Certification. The first, and only certified recycler in the mid-Atlantic region is E-structors, Inc. of Elkridge, Md. TechTurn of Austin, Texas, and Waste Management of Minnesota were also certified as electronic recycling firms.

E-Structors, founded in 2003, operates primarily on a contractual basis with organizations that have significant volumes of pre-owned electronics to recycle. As a certified recycler, the company follows a business model of reuse, refurbishment and recycling of electronics.

“This new e-cycling certification program will take the guesswork out of choosing a responsible recycler,” said EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. “Recycling is an important tool in our arsenal and we need to make sure it’s done correctly to prevent environmental harm and ensure the safe re-use of materials. We strongly encourage other electronic recyclers to obtain the certification to ensure that public health and the environment receive the highest protection available.”

The protocols required of certified recyclers help to reduce energy and natural resource consumption, greenhouse gases and hazardous waste. Recyclers are not permitted to burn or landfill certain materials. If electronics are going to be sold for reuse, the recycler must show that all personal data has been cleared or destroyed, that the equipment has been tested and is in working condition, and that the equipment is packaged properly. A recycler must exercise due diligence to ensure appropriate management of the materials throughout the recycling chain, whether domestic or international.

To apply for certification, electronics recyclers should contact either SGS or Perry Johnson Registrars to receive certification, provided they meet the rigorous certification standards. Both SGS and Perry Johnson Registrars are leading inspection, verification, testing and certification companies. As accredited certifying bodies for certification, SGS and Perry Johnson Registrars are required to list companies they have certified on their respective websites.

Links:

For information on disposing of single or small numbers of units, go to:
http://www.epa.gov/reg3wcmd/eCycling/index.htm. or Earth911.org