The latest news on BERC can be found on this page. Read on to find out more.
MARCH 2010
California American Water Funds 2010 Environmental Grant Program in Sacramento (Sacramento Sustainable BusinessProgram)
California American Water announced today it is accepting applications for its 2010 Environmental Grant Program.
The company will award several grants for a combined total of $10,000 to innovative community-based environmental projects that improve, restore or protect watersheds and drinking water supplies within the state.
A wide variety of conservation projects are eligible for funding, such as watershed cleanups, reforestation efforts, biodiversity projects, streamside buffer restoration projects, wellhead protection initiatives and hazardous waste collection efforts.
"We all share in the tremendous benefits California's diverse watersheds provide and, just as much, the responsibility to maintain them," said Rob MacLean, president of California American Water. "That is why we are encouraging municipalities, schools, environmental organizations and civic groups to apply for a grant to support projects that will benefit their local water ecosystem."
To qualify, a proposed project must be:
* Located within California American Water's Sacramento service area;
* Completed between May 1, 2010 and November 30, 2010; and
* A new or innovative community initiative or serve as a significant expansion to an existing program.
Projects will be judged based on criteria that include clarity of project goals and projected impact, strength of collaboration with other community and/or municipal organizations and evidence that the project will provide sustainable environmental results after California American Water's funding ends.
In 2009, the program supported the WiLDCOAST foundation for their cleanup and restoration projects targeting the Tijuana and Otay River watersheds in the San Diego area. Both rivers are vital to the San Diego community and both were the common target of illegal dumping and pollution.
California American Water also awarded a $2,500 grant for the construction of the streambed table exhibit at the Explorit Science Center in Davis. The exhibit is designed to teach participants about water flow, soil deposition and erosion, slope changes and demonstrate how dams work.
"We take a complete approach when it comes to safeguarding our water supplies in Sacramento," said Andy Soule, California American Water's Northern Division General Manager. "In addition to maintaining a robust, internal conservation program, we also fund projects outside our operations that sufficiently demonstrate a workable and sustainable vision for preserving our watersheds."
Grant information and application forms can be found online at californiaamwater.com.
Applications must be postmarked by March 22, 2010, and mailed to:
California American Water
Attn: Debra Vernon
4701 Beloit Drive
Sacramento, CA 95838
Attn: Debra Vernon
Posted: 03/04/10
FEBRUARY 2010
RIbbon Cutting for ARCO LED Lighting Retrofit - March 1, 2010 (Sacramento Sustainable BusinessProgram)
Join Folsom Mayor Jeff Starsky, SMUD Director Nancy Bui-Thompson and Sacramento County Supervisor Roberta MacGlashan at the ribbon cutting to celebrate the installation of an energy efficient lighting system at the Lake Forest ARCO, 13401 Folsom Blvd., Folsom, CA 95630.
This exciting sustainability event will take place on March 1, 2010, from 5:30pm - 6:30pm. Refreshments will be provided. Posted: 02/25/10
2010 Food Industry Workshop (General Education/ WorkshopProgram)
Do you own, manage or operate a Retail Food Business (restaurant, fast food, deli, market, mini-market, grocery store, bakery, schools and other food facility)in Sacramento County? You belong at the 2010 Food Industry Workshop that will cover:
Cal Code 2010 updates (food safety laws)
Menu Labeling Requirements
Trans Fat Ban
Service Animals and Food Facilities
Upcoming Refrigerant Rules
SMUD Energy Saving Rebates/Business Loans
Date: Monday, April 26, 2010
Time: Session 1 - Register 8:00 am to 9:00 am
Session 1 - Class 9:00 am to noon
Session 2 - Register 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm
Session 2 - Class 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Location: Sacramento County EMD
10590 Armstrong Avenue
Mather, CA 95655
Fee: None!
RSVP: Call (916) 875-8440 by April 19, 2010 Posted: 02/25/10
New Partnership Brings Training Center to Sacramento Area (General Education/ WorkshopProgram)
The Business Environmental Resource Center (BERC) has entered into a unique partnership with the California Community Colleges Environmental Training Center to establish a training location in the Sacramento area.
Environmental Training Centers (ETCs) are an initiative of the California Community College System’s Economic & Workforce Development Program, providing assistance to businesses in complying with federal and state environmental, health and safety regulations. To kick off ETC trainings at BERC, a 8-Hour OSHA HAZWOPER Refresher training is scheduled for Wednesday, February 24. Click Here to Register For more information, visit http://www.envtraining.org/calendar/.
BERC, located in McClellan Business Park just north of HWY 80 and Watt Avenue, will be the closest ETC training location for Sacramento area businesses. There are six locations throughout California, but the next closest ETC is in the Bay Area.
In its seventeenth year in the Sacramento area, BERC provides free and confidential environmental compliance and permitting assistance on behalf of local government throughout the Sacramento watershed region to enhance both business success and environmental quality. BERC is a landmark, joint project of the:
• Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD)
• City of Sacramento Department of Utilities
• Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District (SRCSD)
• Sacramento Regional Solid Waste Authority (SWA)
• Sacramento Municipal Services Agency
Department of Water Resources
Planning and Community Development Department
County Engineering
• Sacramento County Environmental Management Department (EMD)
• Sacramento County Department of Economic Development and Intergovernmental Affairs
• Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)
• Sacramento County Airport System
For more information about BERC, visit us online at http:sacberc.org or call Duane O’Donnell at (916) 649-0225.
Posted: 02/03/10
NOVEMBER 2009
FREE Stormwater Compliance Workshop November 17, 2009 (General Education/ WorkshopProgram)
The Sacramento County Environmental Management Department is offering a free stormwater compliance workshop for those in the food and restaurant industry. The workshop is to be held at 10590 Armstrong Ave, Mather, CA. Pre-registration is required-- please call (916) 875-8400 to reserve your seat. Posted: 11/13/09
OCTOBER 2009
2009 Sacramento Sustainable Business Award Winners Announces (Sacramento Sustainable BusinessProgram)
The Business Environmental Resource Center has announced the winners of the 2009 Sacramento Sustainable Business of the Year Awards.
The Sustainability Awards are being given to the top environmentally conscious businesses whose practices demonstrate an outstanding commitment to enhancing sustainability.
1. Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)
2. Los Rios Community College District & SMUD
3. Campbell Soup Company LLC & SMUD
4. Paragary Restaurant Group
5. Kikkoman
6. Mechanics Bank
7. Radisson Hotel Sacramento
8. Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant ( SRWTP) Biogas Enhancement Pilot Project. The award winning team participating in this project includes:
>>Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District (SRCSD)
>>Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)
>>Brown & Caldwell
>>Sacramento Rendering Company
>>Dr Pepper Snapple Group
>>The Pepsi Bottling Group
9. Caltrans Division of Rail, Amtrak California, Capital Corridor Commuter Rail Locomotive Emission Upgrade Project. The award winning team participating in this project includes:
>>California Department of Transportation, Division of Rail
>>Amtrak (National Rail Passenger Corp.)
>>Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority
>>California Air Resources Board (CARB)
>>Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD)
>>Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD)
>>Electro Motive Diesel, Inc. (EMD)
>>U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9
10. Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD) E85 Program. The award winning team participating in this project includes:
>>SMAQMD
>>DMC
>>Scotties Gas Station
>>Interstate Oil Company
>>Flyers (Nella Oil)
>>Pearson Fuels
>>Propel
>>Green Wave Fuel
>>City of Sacramento, Department of General Services, Fleet Management
>>Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)
These outstanding businesses will be honored at the Sustainable Business Awards & Green Expo on Thursday, September 24 at the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) Rubicon Room, 6301 S. St., Sacramento, 95817
The event includes a Sustainability EXPO with representatives from state and local agencies, as well as exhibitors from environmental and pollution prevention firms.
This FREE event is made possible through the sponsorship of the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, the Sacramento Business Journal, the Regional Water Authority, the Water Forum, Allied Waste Services, and the Business Environmental Resource Center.
Contact the Sustainable Business Program at (916)649-0225 or visit http://SustainableSacramento.com for more information.
The accomplishments of the winners are as follows:
1. Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) – For outstanding support to local community on conserving resources and reducing energy consumption. SMUD’s assistance to businesses in developing energy conservation strategies is evident in their involvement with four of this years award winners. SMUDs assistance programs include:
• Onsite Energy Audits – evaluate energy usage, recommend energy efficiency improvements, project dollar savings and payback periods.
• OurGreenCommunity.org – a social networking site to help improve quality of life. A place for area residents, groups and businesses to share ideas about reducing the impact of carbon emissions
• SolarShares – First program of its kind, and the largest in the nation. Innovative effort to support renewable energy. Participants "buy into" a local solar farm.
• Greenergy® - Nation's fifth-largest green pricing program, certified by the Green-e Renewable Electricity Certification Program.
2. Los Rios Community College District & SMUD
Upgraded pneumatic control systems at their Sacramento City, Cosumnes River, and American River College campuses with state of the art direct digital controls, variable speed drives, and carbon dioxide sensors. This resulted in
• Reduction in energy consumption by over 3,214,000 kWh per year
• Annual savings of approximately $289,000.
• Annual emissions reduction of over 3.5 million pounds of CO2 associated with this project is equivalent to removing over 300 passenger cars from the road per year.
3. Campbell Soup Company LLC & SMUD: For exemplary efforts in conserving resources and supporting research in alternative energy generation.
• Heat Recovery Project - Captures thermal energy from spent cooker cooling water to produce product tempered water for use in new sterilizers. It is expected energy savings of 75,929 Million BTU/year.
• Lighting Project - Switch the plant over to more efficient, fluorescent fixtures, lamps, and sensors and installed occupancy sensors to turn lights off in certain areas. Expected to save over 4 Million kwh/year.
• Plantwide Recycling Program - Extended recycling program last fall to separate out recyclable materials from plant trash, including cardboard, hard plastics, soft plastics, and aluminum. Previously, only cardboard was recycled, and program increased cardboard recycling. New project now recycles up to 10 tons of plastic in per month and almost 100 tons of cardboard per month.
• Anaerobic Digestion Project - Provided food waste to UC Davis and Onsite Power Systems (OPS) from July 2008 to May 2009 for use and study of an anaerobic digestion system.
4. Paragary Restaurant Group – Noetworthy commitment to the sustainability program by implementing measures and certifying all of the corporate locations:
Paragary’s Bar and Oven – Sacramento
Centro Cocina Mexicana – Sacramento
Blue Cue – Sacramento
Cosmo Café – Sacramento
Café Bernardo – Sacramento, Capital Ave.
Esquire Grill – Sacramento
Café Bernardo – Davis
Monkey Bar – Sacramento
Café Bernardo / R15 – Sacramento
Spataro Restaurant - Sacramento
5. Kikkoman – First Sacramento area business to earn Platinum Certification. This is achieved by implementing the first set of sustainability measures, and then by implementing additional sets of measures for silver, gold, and platinum
• Worked with City of Folsom Water Quality Division to complete a water audit of all manufacturing operations and landscaping of it’s 50-acre campus
• Engaged Sacramento Municipal Utility District in completing an Energy Use Assessment of it’s facility
• Installed secure area for bicycle parking to encourage employees to ride bikes to work
• Instituted program to purchase paper products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council
• Installed regenerative heating process to reduce energy consumption
6. Mechanics Bank – Is recognized as being a sustainability leader in the Sacramento Region.
• All 5 of their regional offices In Sacramento, Placer, and El Dorado counties are certified sustainable.
Roseville
El Dorado Hills
Elk Grove
Sacramento
Rocklin
• Banking staff are encouraging & assisting their customers and clients to become certified Sustainable Businesses
7. Radisson Hotel Sacramento The first hotel in the region to earn sustainable certification in all five media areas!
• Installed Ozone oxidation system on washing machines, producing significant reductions in water use and sewer discharges, by allowing elimination of one rinse cycle
• Provides lockers and showers for employees who walk or bicycle to work
• Installed advanced thermostat controls to set guest rooms to default temperature when unoccupied
• Discontinued use of styrofoam products in restaurant
• Installed low-flow toilets and urinals throughout the facility
• Maintains spring fed lake in center of 18 acre complex with large grassy area that provides habitat for beneficial birds and insects.
8. Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant ( SRWTP) Biogas Enhancement Pilot Project - The Pilot Project evaluated the feasibility of using other waste materials, such as fats, oils, grease, and food processing waste, to inject them directly into an anaerobic digester to generate biogas, enhancing the production of biogas (methane gas) at the SRWTP.
This project Increased biogas used to enhance onsite renewable energy co-generation and determined that:
• Potential to increase the production of biogas, from 1,400 standard cubic feet per minute up to 2,200 – enough energy power approximately 1,000 to 3,000 area homes.
• Improve the handling, processing, and disposal of waste materials.
• Reduce the amount of waste materials that enter the sewer collection system, which could cause sewer blockages or overflows.
Project Team Members:
Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District (SRCSD)
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)
Brown & Caldwell
Sacramento Rendering Company
Dr Pepper Snapple Group
The Pepsi Bottling Group
• Cal Trans Capital Corridor route, run by Amtrak under contract to the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA), is a partnership of six local transit agencies in the eight county service area. The Capital Corridor route extends from Sacramento to the Bay area covering more than 400 miles of heavy rail intercity train service and eliminates 559 million miles worth of highway travel.
• Fifteen (15) - 3,200 horse power locomotives manufactured by GM Electro Motive Division (EMD) were upgraded by EMD fromTier 0 (the dirtiest of engines) to a much cleaner Tier 2 emission level, reducing both smog forming NOx emissions by 42% and toxic particulate emissions by 45%.
• Since the Capitol Corridor route passes through both the SMAQMD and BAAQMD air districts, both air districts agreed that emission reduction from these engines would be very valuable and therefore funded this first ever passenger locomotive engine upgrade with assistance from the California Air Resources Baard and the US EPA.
The following are members of the Capital Corridor partnership:
• California Department of Transportation, Division of Rail
• Amtrak (National Rail Passenger Corp.)
• Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority
• California Air Resources Board (CARB)
• Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD)
• Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD)
• Electro Motive Diesel, Inc. (EMD)
• U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9
10. Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD) E85 Program:
E85 is an alcohol fuel mixture of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, by volume. Ethanol is derived from crops (bioethanol) is a biofuel. Ethanol is a renewable resource.
The use of E85 results in reductions of greenhouse gas emissions and energy use for each gallon burned, compared to the emissions and energy use for the gasoline it replaces.
SMAQMD worked with 7 different fuel providers to implement E85 ethanol fuel at 23 retail sites, 4 card lock sites at locations in El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, Yolo, and Solano counties.
The 7 providers who installed systems in 27 retail and limited access card lock sites formed a “consortium” to jointly notify the public about the availability of E85 in our region.
The 7 Providers and SMAQMD designed a postcard to notify consumers of E85 locations.
SMAQMD also worked with two fleet sites, SMUD and City of Sacramento, to implement E85 at their municipal pumps.
With the completion of this infrastructure, the Sacramento region now has the highest concentration of alternative fuel ethanol sites in California.
Partners in this project include:
• SMAQMD
• DMC
• Scotties Gas Station
• Interstate Oil Company
• Flyers (Nella Oil)
• Pearson Fuels
• Propel
• Green Wave Fuel
Also included in this project are two public agencies who also installed E85 dispensing equipment for their private fleets.
• City of Sacramento, Department of General Services, Fleet Management
• Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)
Posted: 10/01/09
SEPTEMBER 2009
Small Business Carbon-Reduction Toolkit (Sacramento Sustainable BusinessProgram)
CoolCalifornia.org is packed with quick, easy-to-use and reliable tools to help your small business save money and reduce its impact on the environment and climate change.
CoolCalifornia.org provides all Californians - individuals, small businesses, local government, youth, community organizations, and schools - with the tools they need to take action to protect the climate and keep California cool.
Founding partners include the California Air Resources Board and other State government agencies, universities, and Next10, a nonprofit organization.
Posted: 09/11/09
AUGUST 2009
Sustainable Business of the Year Awards Expo - Sept 24, 2009 (Sacramento Sustainable BusinessProgram)
Every year, the accomplishments of all certified Sacramento Sustainable Businesses are reviewed, and awards are given to the top environmentally conscious businesses whose practices demonstrate an outstanding commitment to enhancing sustainability.
The event includes a Sustainability EXPO with representatives from state and local agencies, as well as exhibitors from environmental and pollution prevention firms.
The awards will be hosted by Leonard E. Robinson, the Federal Liaison for the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). Leonard has over thirty (30) years experience in the environmental management field. He also hosts the "Going Green With EnviroBro Radio Show," the first "green" radio show on an urban radio station in the nation, dedicated to providing its listeners with the environmentally friendly information that will affect them, their families, and their pocketbooks. He’s on every Thursday from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Sacramento Radio Station KDEE 97.7FM, and streaming world-wide on the Internet at: http://www.kdeefm.org.
Keynote Speaker Matt Mahood is President & CEO of the Sacramento Metro Chamber, the Sacramento region's oldest, largest and most influential business organization – and the area's only chamber of commerce with a regional scope. The Sacramento Metro Chamber has 2,400 members serving the business and economic development needs of Sacramento, El Dorado, Placer, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba counties.
The event begins at 8:00 am with a breakfast mixer in the exhibitor area, the awards ceremony from 9:00 am - 10:30 am, and regulatory update workshops from 10:30 am - 12:30 pm.
After the awards, there will be regulatory update workshops.
10:30 – 11:30 - New Air Quality Regulations: Auto Body and Refinishing Shops – Permit and paperwork assistance. Presented by the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District.
10:30 – 11:30 - AB 32 Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) - An overview of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Scoping Plan for achieving the mandated GHG emission reductions and the compliance resources developed for small businesses. Presented by Kyra S. Naumoff, PhD, California Air Resources Board (ARB)
10:30 – 11:00 – How to become a certified Sacramento Sustainable Business presented by BERC
11:30 – 12:30 - Sustainability Solutions for Commercial Building Owners - Russell Garcia, LEED AP, Executive Director of the Green Cabinet
11:30 – 12:30 - Overview of California’s Climate Protection Program - Presented by the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District
This event is made possible through the sponsorship of the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, the Regional Water Authority, the Water Forum, Allied Waste Services, and the Sacramento Business Journal.
Earth Witness News in Sacramento (Pollution PreventionProgram)
...
Veteran Bay Area broadcaster Harry Osibin, known for his passion for conservation and reuse, has expanded his environmental news outlet to Sacramento. Earth Witness News (EWN) Sacramento is online at EWN Sacramento
Earth Witness News originally began broadcasting on radio station KITS in San Francisco in 1990.
Harry currently produces Earth Witness News, writes for Examiner.com, and does freelance radio production.
More information is available at the Earth Witness News, at this link.
Posted: 08/13/09
JULY 2009
Sacramento Sustainability Forum - August 20, 2009 (Sacramento Sustainable BusinessProgram)
The Sacramento Sustainability Forum is a monthly venue for connecting businesses, non-profits, government and interested citizens in the Sacramento region in order to promote sustainability, share insights and resources, and support movement towards a more sustainable future.
Guest speaker for August 20th is David Mogavero, Senior Principal at Mogavero Notestine Associates.
The register for this event, click this link: Posted: 07/06/09
JUNE 2009
Local Construction & Demolition Debris Recycling Ordinances (General Education/ WorkshopProgram)
Your construction or demolition project may be subject to new recycling requirements. Several local jurisdictions have recently adopted construction and demolition (C&D) debris recycling ordinances, including the County of Sacramento, City of Sacramento, and City of Folsom.
Sacramento County Unincorporated Area
As of June 1, 2009, contractors, subcontractors and employees are responsible for the proper recycling of construction and demolition debris from certain projects in the unincorporated area of Sacramento County. The Sacramento County C&D Debris Ordinance requires that scrap metal, inter materials (concrete, asphalt paving, bricks, etc.), corrugated cardboard, wooden pallets, and clean wood waste. Click Here For More Information.
City of Sacramento
Effective March 1, 2009, new rules mean certain construction and demolition projects in the City of Sacramento are required to recycle C&D material. Click Here For More Information.
City of Folsom
Certain construction and demolition projects in the City of Folsom are required to recycle C&D materials. Information about the City of Folsom Construction and Demolition Recycling Program can be found in the Building Contractor's Resource Guide and FAQ.
Posted: 06/11/09
Enviro Bro Broadcasts Green Agenda On Sacramento Radio (Pollution PreventionProgram)
Leonard Robinson, a guest speaker at the 2008 Sacramento Sustainable Business Awards & Pollution Prevention Expo, is the Chief Deputy Director of the Department of Toxic Substances Control at the California Environmental Protection Agency.
But once a week his alter ego, aka ‘Enviro Bro’ hosts a one-hour radio program called Going Green With Leonard Robinson, which airs on KDEE 97.7 FM, a volunteer-powered, listener-supported station owned and operated by the California Black Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
During the radio show, he promotes green programs, such as the Take-It-Back Partnership that offers free, local ways for Californians to recycle end-of-life products, such as compact fluorescent light bulbs, electronic waste and batteries. Anyone, he said, should feel free to call in with questions. Recently, a nail-shop owner called in with questions about enviro-friendly alternatives to the dangerous chemicals used in beauty salon.
He also discusses enviro type subjects, such as green-collar jobs, pollution prevention, greening businesses, environmental justice, green chemistry and electronic recycling.
Going Green With Leonard Robinson airs Thursdays, from 10 to 11 a.m. on KDEE 97.7 FM. Call in during the show at (916) 631-8599 with questions.
Sacramento Sustainable Business Showcased on CBS TV (Sacramento Sustainable BusinessProgram)
Nichoel Farris and American Home Sales in Auburn are showcased on CBS TV 13 in Auburn, California.
You can watch news journalist Julissa Ortiz as she tours the Home of the Future at the Spring Home Show in Auburn, California, and interviews American Home Sales owner Nichoel Farris as she discusses green features such as including recycled beer bottles in the walls and cork on the floor of the home.
CA 95603 530-885-4555 http://www.ecomanufacturedhomes.com Posted: 05/29/09
RMDZ Celebrates $100 million in Loans (RMDZProgram)
January 22, 2009: State and local officials celebrated the California Integrated Waste Management Boards (CIWMB) providing more than 100 million dollars in loans through its Recycled Market Development Zone (RMDZ) loan program. The RMDZ program offers business loans designed to boost Californias economy and create green jobs. The event was held at ersol Silicon Inc. in Camarillo, CA. Ersol Silicon was a loan recipient that is now an international supplier of recycled silicon for solar panel manufacturers.
Posted: 05/28/09
Manufacturer of paper-based products expands at McClellan (RMDZProgram)
Fiberwood LLC began production in July 2007, manufacturing a mulch used for dust abatement, erosion control, and to establish new lawns.
Just as they expanded their product line to include a new green insulation material, President Obama signed the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act meant to stimulate the economy. The federal stimulus bill included $5 billion to help seal, insulate and otherwise weatherize the homes of modest-income Americans.
Stu Douglass, president of the company, said that its an incredible new program that pays up to a $1,500 tax credit per home to increase insulation and decrease homeowners’ energy bills.
Fiberwood’s cellulose insulation, considered to be a 'green' product', is made from recycled newsprint and other paper sources. The product is blown into attics.
Mr. Douglass said that it’s highly efficient, and it settles into all the nooks and crannies providing a fantastic thermal barrier.
Cellulose insulation mimics the properties of fiberglass. But unlike fiberglass, it’s easy to install, not itchy, and because it’s made of recycled paper, it’s not as harmful to inhale, Douglass said. Boric acid is mixed into the insulation so it not only acts as a fire retardant, but also repels insects, he said.
Fiberwood helps divert waste from the landfill by using 50 tons of recycled paper per shift to manufacture their products. Posted: 05/28/09
Follow the SSB on Twitter (Sacramento Sustainable BusinessProgram)
Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read other users' updates known as tweets. You can read tweets from the Sacramento Sustainable Business program on this link
Tr-C Manufacturing get $1,500,000 RMDZ Loan (RMDZProgram)
The California Integrated Waste Management Board approved a Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ) program loan of $1.5 million to Tri-C Manufacturing in West Sacramento, in an effort to further enhance California's recycling industry. The Sacramento Regional Recycling Market Development Zone serves all areas of Sacramento County, as well as the City of West Sacramento Enterprise Zone in Yolo County.
"These loans exemplify the Board's comprehensive approach to recycling in California -- protecting the public health and putting people to work," said Board Chair Margo Reid Brown. "That intersection between business and the environment will benefit Californians far into the future."
The low-interest loan to Tri-C will protect California's environment and boost the economy by diverting about 54,000 tons of waste tires annually away from landfills and into higher-value products, while creating and create 20 new jobs to help bolster the state's workforce.
Tri-C Manufacturing, Inc. works with Tri-C Machine Corporation to manufacture and sell tire shredding granulators and other accessories. The state loan will allow Tri-C to begin recycling tires.
RMDZ loans are part of a concerted effort by the Waste Board to strengthen and expand the domestic market for recycled materials, and provide California recyclers with alternatives to export markets that consume much of the state's recyclables.
Tri-C will shred and grind waste tires to produce tire chips and crumb rubber. This crumb rubber will be sold to manufacturers of door mats, flooring products, and Rubberized Asphalt Concrete (RAC), which is an alternative to conventional asphalt used for road paving projects.
RAC is made by blending rubber from recycled waste tires with asphalt, and then applying the mix to road surfaces. Standard RAC uses 2,000 waste tires for every lane mile paved, resists cracking, retains its original color so road markings are more clearly visible, reduces noise, and over its lifetime dramatically cuts costs for road projects: a two-inch layer of the material can save up to $50,000 per lane mile compared to a standard 4-inch thick layer of conventional asphalt.
California produces more than 42 million waste tires annually, and recycling/reuse programs find new uses for about 30 million waste tires each year. The remainder ends up in landfills or in unregulated tire dump sites.
The RMDZ program offers technical assistance and low-interest loans of up to $2 million as incentives to grow the recycled-materials segment of California's economy. Businesses in approximately half of the state are now eligible for assistance under the program, which began in 1990 and has now issued in excess of $100 million in loans. The loans are typically made for 5 to 10 years, and the current interest rate is 4.0%.
The Sacramento Regional Recycling Market Development Zone is managed by the Business Environmental Resource Center (BERC), 3331 Peacekeeper Way, McClellan, CA 95965. Zone Administrator Duane O’Donnell can be reached at (916) 649-0225.
You can get Sacramento Sustainable Business daily updates on Twitter Posted: 05/05/09
Sacramento Radisson Hotel Earns Sustainable Business Certification (Sacramento Sustainable BusinessProgram)
Located within a mile from downtown Sacramento, the Radisson Hotel sits on 18 acres of green dynamic grounds. In the center of the hotel, there is a giant lake and natural spring that serves not only as a beautiful setting for a hotel resort, but also as a natural ecosystem for numerous native species and has been observed to reduce pests through the number of birds the lake attracts. Their water conservation efforts include installation of low-flow toilets and urinals throughout the facility, efficient landscaping practices, and a soon to be implemented oxidation system for their laundry services. They offer incentives for alternative transportation for their employees, store their electronic waste in what they call the “bone yard” until large e-waste drop offs are performed, and they have retrofitted all of their lighting to higher efficiency units. Radisson Sacramento has a strong recycling program in place, purchases cleaning supplies in concentrated formulas and donates their left over shampoos and soaps to local shelters. Their HVAC system is on a rigorous maintenance schedule which has led to significant reductions in monthly gas bills due to these efforts. We congratulate the Radisson Sacramento Hotel for their enthusiastic, environmentally friendly efforts.
The Sacramento Sustainable Business Program (SSBP) promotes businesses that voluntarily take efforts to make their business practices more sustainable. The benefits of being a Sacramento Sustainable Business are;
• Free assistance in making changes to your business
• Free advertising and promotion
• Cost savings through improved efficiency, energy and water conservation, and waste reduction
• Community recognition of your voluntary efforts to improve our environment
• The opportunity to gain recognition in the SSBP quarterly newsletter
• The opportunity to gain recognition through the SSBP annual awards ceremony
The SSBP is sponsored by the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District (SRCSD), Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), Regional Water Authority (RWA), Sacramento Water Forum, and the Business Environmental Resource Center (BERC). 150 Sacramento area businesses are currently participating in the program.
Posted: 05/05/09
APRIL 2009
Save Water and Money This Summer! (General Education/ WorkshopProgram)
Businesses and residents can save water and money by preventing over watering of landscaping this spring/summer and considering a water efficiency check-up.
* If your home or business address ends in an odd number (1, 3, 5, 7 or 9), please limit outdoor watering to Tuesdays, Thursdays and/or Saturdays.
* If your address ends in an even number (0, 2, 4, 6 or 8), please limit outdoor watering to Wednesdays, Fridays and/or Sundays.
* Please refrain from any outdoor watering on Mondays — and remember, water only when necessary.
* To avoid the peak energy hours and minimize evaporation, water outdoors between midnight and 10:00 a.m. Avoid peak water use hours of 5 to 8 p.m.
Did you know that all water services throughout the greater Sacramento area offer free water efficiency check-ups for your home or business? They will check your irrigation system, inspect for interior and exterior water leaks and offer a custom irrigation schedule and water-saving tips specific to your property. While it is not mandatory, the program goal of the Sacramento County Water Agency is that 15 percent of its customers will implement the recommendations to increase water efficiency.
Depending on the area, businesses and residents are also eligible for a variety of rebates and incentive programs, including rebates for water-efficient washing machines, high efficient toilets and commercial landscape irrigation components such as controllers and soil moisture sensors.
To schedule an appointment for a water efficiency check-up:
* City of Sacramento Department of Utilties customers can call (916) 264-5500.
* Sacramento County Water Agency customers can call (916) 772-2226.
* All other customers may call the Regional Water Authority's "Be Water Smart" Hotline 1-888-WTR-TIPS (888-987-8477).
