D2E Chicago Green

A “Down to Earth” piece I shot while on vacation in Chicago.

Green Business – PepsiCo Sustainability Center Chicago

www.totallyher.com PepsiCo Sustainability Center Chicago Tour

Green Mall Real Estate Development in Chicago

A new idea has taken root in Chicago—bully for that city! According to Business Week, Chicago’s Green Exchange will be the first shopping center in the U.S. for environmentally responsible and socially conscious businesses.” What a great idea!

Get this: not only will the first “green mall” in America be located in Chicago, grouping eco-friendly businesses for the first time, but the very building itself—all 250,000 square feet of it—will also be developed in accordance with LEED standards.

LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) standards were developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. The LEED System “provides benchmarks for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. . . in five key areas”, states the article, “sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality”.

Apparently, a Chicago real estate developer, Baum Development, is capitalizing on refurbishing a historic building in a great location—350,000 cars pass by the site each day. Taking care to retain the building’s historic character, while retrofitting it with a “green” roof, energy efficient systems, clean air quality, a courtyard, meeting/event community space, on-site parking with priority parking given to hybrid vehicles, will make Chicago’s Green Exchange the first of its kind.

The article cites the growing market for green building materials in this country; one that is predicted to grow from $7.2 billion in 2005 to between an estimated $19 to $38 billion by 2010, according to the National Association of Home Builders and McGraw-Hill Construction. It is now possible for many owners to build or renovate their homes or businesses in an environmentally friendly way. As materials become more readily available, many consumers will no doubt, opt to do just that.

Just as importantly, “Chicago’s Green Exchange” will contain about 100 tenants; not all of them will be retail establishments, but environmentally and socially conscious businesses of every stripe. The developer is planning on a great mix: an organic restaurant and café, an environmentally-friendly building supply company, print shop, clothing retailer and furniture store. Architect and design studios whose principals focus on sustainability, as well as a car-sharing service and a bike shop are also planned tenants, so you get the picture.

What’s great about this model is that it provides a critical mass of businesses that are environmentally and socially conscious for a critical mass of consumers with the same philosophy and vision. If successful, the Chicago Green Exchange will offer a business model for other cities across the country.

With the number of consumers for eco-friendly products and services dramatically on the rise, and many new businesses taking root to supply them, this is a new concept with real possibilities.

• Are you interested in, or becoming more aware of green products and services?

• Do you support environmentally conscious businesses or consume organic foods?

• What do you think of this kind of business development plan?

• Would you shop in a “green mall”?

Chicago VW dealers could feature electric car in near future

Around the time of the Frankfurt Auto Show, manufacturers are unveiling a wide variety of new and innovative concept and go-to-market vehicles. This year’s auto show was not a disappointment, showcasing tons of new vehicles by the world’s greatest manufacturers. Parallel to the auto industry, part of the theme of this year’s show was electric cars and other fuel efficiency developments. Among the frontrunners for “most exciting announcement was Volkswagen, who announced the development and future of release of the E-Up, the manufacturer’s first stab at a fully electric car.

Chicago VW dealers are already seeing interest in this new vehicle ramping up in a big way; while some manufacturers are continuing to focus on traditional selling points, the new E-Up represents a portrait of progression—and a bright look at the future of the automotive industry. Powered by a lithium ion battery, the front wheel drive vehicle will feature 18 kilowatt hours of energy capacity—enough to power the vehicle for close to 80 miles. Volkswagen will work over the coming years to perfect the car, and your Chicago Volkswagen dealer probably won’t see the vehicle hit shelves until 2013. But when it does, it’s sure to cause a frenzy among eco-friendly and progressive drivers.

According to VW Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn, “The concept car now being presented in Frankfurt very realistically shows how we envision such a Volkswagen with pure electric drive – technically, visually and with regard to a practical size. The future will belong to lower emissions and more efficient transportation. We’re releasing one environmentally friendly car after another.

“The VW group is in top form,” he went on to add. “Today, VW is the most successful multi-brand car group in the world; we have convincing solutions for the entire market.”

Truly, Volkswagen is continuing to supplement its role as one of the world’s most progressive of automotive dealers. Top efficiency has become a major focus of the automotive industry as of late, and one of the areas with the biggest room for improvement is fuel economy. Vehicles like the E-Up are leading the way in an industry that has become a rat-race when it comes to staying ahead of the technological curve. When you walk into your Chicago Volkswagen dealer, you want to see vehicles that are competitive and top of the line; VW is doing a great job of turning that dream into a reality. Chicago VW drivers will be able to enjoy the benefits of a quality vehicles coupled with the unmatched efficiency of an electric car.

In an automotive world that is so rapidly evolving, you can count on your Gurnee Volkswagen dealership to stay on the cutting edge of the industry. The E-Up isn’t Volkswagen’s only vie for industry dominance and increased fuel economy; take a look at some of the vehicles Gurnee Volkswagen drivers are raving about today. Make sure to visit the Volkswagen website for more information on how the E-Up is revolutionizing the industry and sign up for updates on production progress.

Chicago VW dealers could feature electric car in near future

Around the time of the Frankfurt Auto Show, manufacturers are unveiling a wide variety of new and innovative concept and go-to-market vehicles. This year’s auto show was not a disappointment, showcasing tons of new vehicles by the world’s greatest manufacturers. Parallel to the auto industry, part of the theme of this year’s show was electric cars and other fuel efficiency developments. Among the frontrunners for “most exciting announcement was Volkswagen, who announced the development and future of release of the E-Up, the manufacturer’s first stab at a fully electric car.

Chicago VW dealers are already seeing interest in this new vehicle ramping up in a big way; while some manufacturers are continuing to focus on traditional selling points, the new E-Up represents a portrait of progression—and a bright look at the future of the automotive industry. Powered by a lithium ion battery, the front wheel drive vehicle will feature 18 kilowatt hours of energy capacity—enough to power the vehicle for close to 80 miles. Volkswagen will work over the coming years to perfect the car, and your Chicago Volkswagen dealer probably won’t see the vehicle hit shelves until 2013. But when it does, it’s sure to cause a frenzy among eco-friendly and progressive drivers.

According to VW Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn, “The concept car now being presented in Frankfurt very realistically shows how we envision such a Volkswagen with pure electric drive – technically, visually and with regard to a practical size. The future will belong to lower emissions and more efficient transportation. We’re releasing one environmentally friendly car after another.

“The VW group is in top form,” he went on to add. “Today, VW is the most successful multi-brand car group in the world; we have convincing solutions for the entire market.”

Truly, Volkswagen is continuing to supplement its role as one of the world’s most progressive of automotive dealers. Top efficiency has become a major focus of the automotive industry as of late, and one of the areas with the biggest room for improvement is fuel economy. Vehicles like the E-Up are leading the way in an industry that has become a rat-race when it comes to staying ahead of the technological curve. When you walk into your Chicago Volkswagen dealer, you want to see vehicles that are competitive and top of the line; VW is doing a great job of turning that dream into a reality. Chicago VW drivers will be able to enjoy the benefits of a quality vehicles coupled with the unmatched efficiency of an electric car.

In an automotive world that is so rapidly evolving, you can count on your Gurnee Volkswagen dealership to stay on the cutting edge of the industry. The E-Up isn’t Volkswagen’s only vie for industry dominance and increased fuel economy; take a look at some of the vehicles Gurnee Volkswagen drivers are raving about today. Make sure to visit the Volkswagen website for more information on how the E-Up is revolutionizing the industry and sign up for updates on production progress.

Overview, 2010 Chevy Volt, 2009 Chicago Auto Show.

Get a more detail overview of how energy efficient Chevy Volt attains 40 mile no gas mark. 2009 Chicago Auto Show. Feb. 10, 2009.

Chicago Mercedes-Benz Dealer Feels Addition Of Electric Vehicles Is A Great Move For The Brand

There is still a lot of speculation and very little hard evidence of how electric vehicles will be welcomed into a newly green automotive industry – but it seems this is the direction most manufacturers are headed in the coming years, spurred by production models that automakers like Nissan and Chevrolet are getting ready to unveil this year. While the adoption of electric engine technology has existed mostly in cars manufactured by mid-range brands, the luxury market has definitely hopped aboard the fuel efficiency train. After all, to stay competitive you can’t continue creating the same old stodgy vehicles, regardless of how competitive they were a few years ago.

Now, your Chicago Mercedes-Benz dealer is preparing for the launch of a line of electric vehicles in a big way. While we don’t have many details on the actual models, moves by Daimler to bring zero emission vehicles to its brands and to the luxury market as a whole have made it pretty clear that the company is about ready to announce new electric cars. Batavia Mercedes-Benz drivers are bracing themselves for a new revolution in the luxury automotive segment, one that will manifest itself under both Mercedes Benz and Smart labels.

According to several reports, Daimler AG research and development chief Dr. Thomas Weber is enacting measures to make sure the entire company (including Chicago Mercedes dealers) are ready for the prospective switch to electric engine technology. This year, we’ll have a chance to see the first 1,000 electric Smarts, but it might be a few more years before the electric technology reaches the Mercedes brand. Still, it’s exciting to know that Mercedes is taking steps in the right direction, and the prospect of the brand to ramp up electric vehicle production in the coming years should be exciting for Batavia Mercedes-Benz drivers.

An event at the University of Duisburg-Essen’s Center for Automotive Research saw Dr. Weber calling service personnel to become familiar with high voltage power systems in battery and fuel cell vehicles. For your Chicago Mercedes-Benz dealer, that indicates that the luxury manufacturer has some fuel efficient electric technology on its way down the pipeline – which will serve as exciting news for Chicago Mercedes drivers. He also mentioned that, in addition to the drive systems, Mercedes electric vehicles will get a range of new systems like electric climate control and charging that service departments will have to compete with.

The preparedness likely from the recent announcement should help put the company in the right position to accept these new technological advancements when they’re ready to be unveiled. Let’s hope they’re right, as we have recently seen what can happen to unprepared manufacturers. The recent Prius crisis is indicative of the disasters that can occur when your company is not familiar enough with its new technologies. Toyota might have to take a page out of Mercedes’ book after the effects of the recall have worn off, which might not be for several years as far as we can tell.

VWs Dean Karnazes runs 52.4 mile Chicago Double Marathon

A VW TDI Clean Diesel doesnt stop at 26.2 miles per gallon, and VWs sponsored athlete Dean Karnazes didnt stop at 26.2 miles at the 2009 Chicago Marathon. See Dean go for 52.4 miles while Twittering with fans from around the world, and find exclusive pics at TDIDoubleMarathon.com.

Three-wheeled Electric Vehicle to Debut at the Chicago Auto Show

During motor shows, it is common to hear various talks about how many horsepower does an engine of a specific vehicle pack. It is also common to see car manufacturers boasting about the fuel economy capability of their vehicles.

While this may be the strong marketing points of mass produced vehicles, one car stands out simply by having a fuel economy rating of zero miles per gallon. That is because this car uses no fuel – or uses a fuel that cannot be measured by gallon. This car is the XEBRA from ZAP which is an automotive manufacturer specializing on manufacturing vehicles that are eco-friendly. At the forthcoming Chicago Auto Show, the XEBRA will be shown off by the company to offer consumers an alternative to driving cars that are dependent on fossil fuels.

Going back to the zero miles per gallon rating, the XEBRA does it by dispensing such parts used by engines using gasoline or diesel fuel. Parts just like a Volvo fuel injector have no place in a car such as the XEBRA. The vehicle can afford not to have those parts because it runs purely on electricity. This vehicle is classified as a zero emission vehicle that will make it popular among environment conscious city motorists.

What the car costs the consumer in terms of fuel is about a penny for every mile. That cost is for the electricity that will be consumed while recharging the car’s deep cycle batteries. The vehicle has six of these special batteries and these are easily accessible. For the sedan version of the car, three batteries can be found at the center console between the front seats and the remaining three can be found under the rear seat.

The XEBRA line also offers a pickup and also runs on the same fuel as the sedan version. In this version, the batteries are located underneath the truck bed making it easily accessible. The pickup version can sit two while the sedan version can seat four. Oddly though, these cars are registered as motorcycles and different states may require a motorcycle license for an individual to drive this car. A question that arises from that fact is whether a helmet is required to drive the XEBRA. But in California, driving a XEBRA will spare the driver of wearing a helmet while driving the vehicle – which, is indeed, a ridiculous sight to see.

The XEBRA is the fruit of more than 30 years of development starting from the theory that such a car could be made available to the public. ZAP also needed the help of a car manufacturer in China to make this cutting edge electric vehicle possible. The technology employed by the car/motorcycle allows it to cruise at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour that is why the car is suitable only for city driving. The Gel Cell deep cycle batteries with a lifespan of three years depending on the use of the car can be charged from a standard 110 V outlet plug. A complete charge takes 8 hours and from the energy stored during the charging process, the car can go for 40 miles. The maximum 40 mile range of the XEBRA can be decreased by prolonged high speed, excessive stop and go traffic, inclined or uneven roads and the weight of the load. The XEBRA can carry loads of up to 500 pounds.

One thing though will strike the mind of anybody who would lay eyes on the XEBRA will be that of the three-wheeled car that Mr. Bean is always tipping over, because the XEBRA is indeed a three-wheeled vehicle. Unique. But quite clean.

Brookfield Resource Management Expands into the Chicago Market

Putting recycling to the test: Large items may soon be picked up
Getting rid of old couches, beds and other big furniture and appliances from Guam homes may become less of a hassle months from now.

Read more on Pacific Daily News

Fierce Recycling Effort in Fighting Oil’s Spread
FELICITY BARRINGER and ROB HARRIS The Gulf Coast cleanup effort, experiencing a shortage of oil-containment boom, has turned to restoring used boom.

Read more on The Tuscaloosa News

Recycling Fee Coming To Chesterfield County
CHESTERFIELD – If you live in Chesterfield County, you can expect to fork over a little bit of extra cash next month. That’s when the county will begin charging a $25 recycling fee.

Read more on CBS 6 Richmond

West Cumbria waste recycling plant proposal backed
A new waste-transfer and materials-recycling plant at Distington landfill site, near Workington, looks set to get the go ahead from county councillors tomorrow

Read more on The News and Star

Brookfield Resource Management Expands into the Chicago Market
ELMSFORD, N.Y.—-Brookfield Resource Management, a recycling company serving the New York metro area since 1968, today announced that it has formed a joint venture with Wilkins Rebuilders Supply, Inc.

Read more on Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance