Introduction to Sustainability In Grand Rapids, Michigan

Introduction to Sustainability in Grand Rapids, MI.

New Michigan law gives walkers, bikers a share of streets

Panel firm initiates Sun City West solar project
The Recreation Centers of Sun City West’s new solar project could put Beardsley’s aquatic center on the map for being the largest thermal pool heating system in Arizona. The project begins next we

Read more on East Valley Tribune

Children in Africa get access to computers this Christmas
Rather than sending old computers to the landfill, the Department for International Development decided to donate 200 of their redundant servers to a UK charity which gives children living in the poorest parts of the world access to IT, and is urging you to do the same this Christmas.

Read more on DFID

As temperature drops, ice fishing heating up
Brrrr…Brrrr…Brrrr.

Read more on The Mercury

Understanding Rome’s new hotel tax
Q: I’m worried about how Rome’s new tax will affect a two week trip to that city. Any ideas on how I could avoid it?

Read more on Canoe Travel

New Michigan law gives walkers, bikers a share of streets
A little-noticed act passed by the Michigan Legislature this year could have a big impact one day on how our cities look. The act directs transportation planners in the state to plan for what’s called complete streets — streets that accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists along with cars and trucks.

Read more on Detroit Free Press

Case Study: The Effectiveness Of Busch Recycling Containers In Michigan State University

Background
Michigan State University

Founded in 1855
The top research institution and leader in international engagement
Currently has 533 buildings and over 40,000 students enrolled in the more than 200 programs
First recycling program was launched in 1991
Thousands of recycling containers have been scattered across the campus

Busch Systems International

North American leader of waste, compost and recycling containers for the past 25 years
Set the industry standard for the yearly production of new molded bins
Each container is 100% recyclable and North America made with a minimum of 35% recycled content

Waste Watcher

Space efficient, high density, attractive and functional
Ideal for high traffic areas
Holds upward of 23 gallons of recyclables or waste
Has custom lids, labels and openings for easy sorting
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) also uses these containers

Analysis
The new containers marked the beginning of Phase II of the MSU recycling program.  In Phase I a mix of old and new containers were used in various building across the school. The mix of containers was confusing for students and looked poorly on the campus. Phase II was rolled out in late December of 2009 with Busch ‘Waste Watchers’. Staff spent four, fourteen hour days over winter break to setup the program effectively. 

Phase II consisted of three thousand dark green ‘Waste Watchers’ which were placed in over 200 buildings at MSU including:

Classrooms
Research labs
Athletic centers
Administration buildings
Residential houses
Bus terminals

Previously, Deans had objected to recycling containers being in so many public spaces because they were unattractive. The sleek appearance of the ‘Waste Watcher’ meant that more recyclables could be collected in more places at MSU.

The containers were used to form a recycling station:

The ‘Waste Watchers’ are designed to link together to form a sleek recycling station
Each container collects a different material without occupying a great deal of space
The station collects paper, mixed, boxboard, plastics and household metal

The recycling stations are emptied by the custodial staff who:

Transfers the material into larger containers
The recycling crew picks up and transports the containers to an on campus recycling center
The school then sorts it, bales it and sells it
This fosters sustainability and produces a profit to fund the program by

The ‘Waste Watchers’ features are designed to help the schools collection process including:

Removable lids and easy-grip handles which save time and resources
Custom lid openings
MSU selected a circular opening for plastics and a thin slot shaped opening for paper collection

MSU found the custom openings on the containers to work well with their program. The openings feature a simple, clean sorting system which is easy to identify and use. This diverts more materials into the correct container and reduces the resources spent sorting them.

Conclusion
Overall, Busch recycling containers have increased MSU’s recycling participation. They have also improved the quality of sort from the collected materials. What remains to be seen is how the program will take shape in the coming months and how this will impact future initiatives. Nevertheless, the new containers allow for more recyclables to be collected in more areas. This increases the profit made by the recycling center and reduces the schools carbon footprint.

Adam Duke Mid- Michigan Business Beat Go Green Energy Consulting

Editor of the Greater Lansing Business Monthly and Small Business Advocate for the State of Michigan Chris Holman interviews Adam Duke of Go Green Energy Consulting about how Home Energy Evaluations can save homeowners money. www.GoGreenEC.com for more!

Eaton hydraulic hybrid system debuts in Michigan

Chicago-Area Residents Living Greener
A Tribune poll of Chicago-area families has found that 3/4 of the people in the city and suburbs are living a more eco-friendly life than five years ago.

Read more on FOX News Chicago

Most Chicago-area residents living ‘greener’
Tribune/WGN poll: 77 percent said they made changes to their daily routines to be more ‘environmentally conscious’ From his bucolic farm on the south side of Naperville, Steve Tiwald can see the imprint of the country’s “green movement” on the faces of eager patrons as they arrive each week to collect their boxes of tomatoes, spinach and summer squash.

Read more on Chicago Tribune

Career moves : Palm Beach chamber leadership
Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce introduces its leaders The Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce announced its leadership..

Read more on Sun-Sentinel

Simi landfill’s revised environmental report open for comments
A draft environmental impact report has been recirculated to address changes to a proposal to modernize and expand the Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center.

Read more on Ventura County Star

Eaton hydraulic hybrid system debuts in Michigan
Eaton hydraulic hybrid system debuts in Michigan

Read more on FOX Business

Ford to Engineer, Assemble Hybrid Battery Packs and Transaxles In Michigan, Adding 220 New Jobs

Nissan’s new Leaf sells out in US, Japan: Ghosn
DETROIT, Michigan -The first year of production of Nissan’s new electric car Leaf has been sold out, the head of the Japanese automaker, Carlos Ghosn, said Tuesday.

Read more on The Malaysian Mirror

Nissan’s new Leaf sells out in US, Japan: Ghosn
The first year of production of Nissan’s new electric car Leaf has been sold out, the head of the Japanese automaker, Carlos Ghosn, said Tuesday.

Read more on AFP via Yahoo! Asia News

Nissan’s new Leaf sells out in US, Japan: Ghosn
The first year of production of Nissan’s new electric car Leaf has been sold out, the head of the Japanese automaker, Carlos Ghosn, said Tuesday.

Read more on AFP via Yahoo! UK & Ireland News

Nissan’s new Leaf sells out in US, Japan: Ghosn
DETROIT, Michigan -The first year of production of Nissan’s new electric car Leaf has been sold out, the head of the Japanese automaker, Carlos Ghosn, said Tuesday.

Read more on The Malaysian Mirror

Ford to Engineer, Assemble Hybrid Battery Packs and Transaxles In Michigan, Adding 220 New Jobs
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Michigan State Spartans universal fit Carpet 2 Pc Car Floor Mat

Product Description
Protect your vehicle’s flooring while showing your team pride with car mats by FANMATS. 100% nylon face with non-skid vinyl backing. Universal fit makes it ideal for cars, trucks, SUCs, and RVs. The officially licensed mat is chromojet painted in true team colors and designed with a large team logo. Made in USA.

Michigan Tech Supermileage Team Gets 1140 miles per gallon

Michigan Tech Supermileage Systems Enterprise Team Gets 1140 mpg in SAE Supermileage Competition in June 2009; The team also earned Best Design. Students in the Society of Automotive Engineers Supermileage competition design and build a single-person, fuel-efficient vehicle powered by a small four-cycle engine. The winner is chosen based on design and miles per gallon.

Are Green Under Car Neon Lights Illegal in the state of Michigan?

There are rumors going around that any color that isnt used in emergancy vehicles (example: green, yellow, orange) can be used under your car as a neon light accent while driving down the road. Is that true?

General Electric plans to give work to up to 50 Michigan firms

ZAP Receives Order for 100 New Electric SUVs from Samyang Optics
SEOUL, South Korea, SANTA ROSA, Calif., and HANGZHOU, China, Feb. 24, 2010 — Electric vehicle pioneer ZAP (OTC: ZAAP) (BULLETIN BOARD: ZAAP) has accepted a purchase order from Samyang Optics Co. Ltd. of Korea for 100 electric SUVs to be built through a partnership with China auto manufacturer Zhejiang Jonway Automobile Co.

Read more on The Auto Channel

ZAP Receives Order for 100 New Electric SUVs from Samyang Optics
Electric vehicle pioneer ZAP has accepted a purchase order from Samyang Optics Co. Ltd. of Korea for 100 electric SUVs to be built through a partnership with China auto manufacturer Zhejiang Jonway Automobile Co.

Read more on PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance

Spain’s electric car plan drives into opposition
Some member states concerned that Spain is placing too high a priority on electric cars.

Read more on European Voice

Fresnans try to clear path for electric vehicles
With a top speed of 25 mph, “neighborhood electric vehicles” are too slow for many Fresno streets. City officials are pursuing state permission for special lanes, signs and other upgrades required for the mini-cars.

Read more on The Fresno Bee

General Electric plans to give work to up to 50 Michigan firms
General Electric Co. is looking for up to 50 new suppliers in metro Detroit to make about $25 million worth of parts for home appliances.

Read more on Detroit Free Press