Did You Know...?Every year, Americans drink more than 100 billion cups of coffee. Of those, 14.4 billion
are served in disposable paper cups, enough to wrap the earth 55 times if placed end-to-end!
Those paper cups contain a plastic lining made from a petrochemical that would produce enough
energy to heat 8,300 homes, or a town the size of Newtown, Connecticut.
|
Great Forest Gives Back
Great Forest is a proud supporter of the nonprofit Blacksmith Institute, which works to solve life-threatening pollution problems in the developing world. Blacksmith is currently engaged in over 40 cleanup projects in 14 countries.
Join the growing network of Blacksmith supporters around the world.
|
GREAT FOREST
Improve Environmental Performance, Reduce Costs
To date, Great Forest has worked with more than half of all commercial office space and hotels in Manhattan and over 1,500 buildings across the country, covering approximately 350 million sq. ft.
Contact Us
2014 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10035
Ph: (212) 779-4757
Fax: (212) 779-8044
www.greatforest.com | |
|
|
Have you upgraded to a new cell phone or computer recently? Our Q&A this month explains why proper disposal of your old electronic waste matters.
Make better and greener business decisions with news and tips from Great Forest.
-The Great Forest Team |
Great Forest Q&A
Q: Why should we worry about e-waste ?
A: With the increasing speed of changing technology, electronic waste or e-waste--discarded computers, cell phones, iPods and other electronics--is a growing concern. Toxic components in these devices, which may include mercury, lead and cadmium, can leak and contaminate the environment if disposed of improperly.
According to the United Nations Environmental Protection agency (UNEP), about 20 to 50 million metric tonnes of e-waste is produced globally each year. Much of it is shipped overseas illegally or under the guise of donations, and end up mainly in Africa and China, where they pollute the environment and poison thousands of people. When recycled properly, your old electronics pose no environmental hazard. Here in the U.S., many municipalities are now legislating recycling of e-waste, and offering drop-off or pick-up services to facilitate proper disposal. NYC, for example, passed a law that requires electronic equipment manufacturers to begin accepting electronics for recycling by July 1, 2010. (See sidebar for recent news about industry opponents to this law.)
To recycle e-waste from your home, check with your local municipality or contact your local electronics store to learn about their trade in and recycling programs.
Call Great Forest to set up a proper e-waste recycling program for your office. Consultants can also conduct workshops for your tenants and staff, and answer any questions about recycling electronic equipment. |
 Commercial Real Estate Energy Alliance  Earlier this year, the Department of Energy and top executives from 19 commercial real estate firms met in New York City to discuss plans to dramatically reduce the sector's energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Currently, commercial buildings account for 18 percent of the nation's energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.
The meeting officially launched DOE's Commercial Real Estate Energy Alliance (CREEA), a partnership of commercial real estate owners and operators who have volunteered to work together with DOE to make lasting change in the energy consumption of commercial real estate buildings in the United States.
"This collaboration will help speed the adoption of high-performance, energy-efficient buildings by the commercial real estate sector," said Scott Hine, acting program manager of DOE's Building Technologies Program.
Look out for future CREEA statements, which we will track in this newsletter, to impact the industry.
|
News Report
Updates to the EPA Portfolio Manager
 The EPA has announced several changes to their Portfolio Manager tool, detailed here. Some of the changes include an updated rating methodology for warehouses, retail establishments, religious institutions, and facilities that generate their own wind or solar power. Additionally, the Portfolio Manager will now allow you to track Renwable Energy Certificate (REC) purchases at the building level, for all buildings in your portfolio. New regulations take effect August 31, 2009.
Call Great Forest with any questions about these changes to determine eligibility.
Speculators Manipulate Energy Prices
The Petroleum Marketers Association of America has called for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to set position limits for investors to prevent market manipulation.
"It is abundantly clear that large-scale, institutional investors speculating in the energy markets continue to act as the driving force behind energy prices," Sean Cota, treasurer of the Arlington, Virginia-based association told the CFTC.
Last year, crude oil futures jumped 52 percent to a record $147.27 a barrel from Jan. 1 to July 11, 2008. They then plunged 77 percent in the following six months to a low of $32.40 a barrel on Dec. 19.
In this fluctuating market, it is essential for large consumers such as building owners and property managers to track their usage demands.
"Our online Metrics system keeps tabs on a building's or a company's energy data. This allows us to anticipate usage patterns and make adjustments when energy prices rise or fall," says Great Forest Energy consultant Michael Sanfilippo. "With one eye tracking usage and the other tracking prices, we help clients use wisely and buy low.
Try the new Great Forest Metrics.
Stimulus Funds for New York State
The State Energy Program (SEP) has provided $79 million to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to support initiatives under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
Buildings in New York used by the government, public schools, hospitals and not-for-profits can utilize this surge of funding to improve operational efficiency and assist with renewable energy installations.
SEP provides funds from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to support energy efficiency and renewable energy programs and initiatives. The purpose of SEP funding is to:
-
increase energy efficiency to reduce energy costs and consumption for consumers, businesses and government;
-
reduce reliance on imported energy;
-
improve the reliability of electricity and fuel supply and the delivery of energy services; and
-
reduce the impacts of energy production and use on the environment. Learn more about the SEP program and the administering of the AARA funds here.
|
Stay Updated on Environmental Regulations
|
Great Forest Metrics Available Online
The Great Forest Sustainability Metrics will provide a snapshot of your business' sustainability in three basic areas: energy, waste & recycling and water. These simple tools allow you to:
- Define a baseline
- Set sustainability goals
- Track progress
- Communicate your goals and progress through colorful visual aids.
Give it a try here.
| |
|
|
|
