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Vol. 10, No. 9  September 5, 2009
GREEN STAR E-News
Recognizing Alaska organizations committed to environmental responsibility.
In This Issue
Shining Stars
Events & Reminders
Changes at Green Star
Space for Lease
Air Fresheners May Not Be So Fresh
No Idling At School, Please!
Solar Power is Possible in Alaska
Quick Links
Thank You to our Sponsors

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This Month's
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ENERGY STAR KIDS

Join the Lorax in addressing energy efficiency issues.  Schools and parents alike can take advantage of the fun, colorful and information educational materials at ENERGY STAR KIDS. 

Green Star Staff

Kim Kovol
Executive Director

Jeanne Carlson
Program Director

Lilly Capell
Air Quality Program Assistant

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Shining Stars

Congratulations to our most recent Green Star Award certified organization!

   
U.S. Geological Survey - Alaska Science Center

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USGS recently earned its Green Star Award certification.  Green Star will recognize USGS's Alaska Science Center at an internal USGS staff meeting on September 24 as well as at an upcoming executive meeting of the U-Med's Green District.  USGS is one of the newest U-Med members and will sign on to the updated agreement this fall.  The meeting will be held on October 1 at USGS' Glenn Olds Hall.
 
To earn the certification, USGS has implemented many environmentally minded behaviors within the office as well as included green features in its new building, finished in April of 2008.  With the addition of Glenn Olds Hall (see above photo), the majority of USGS's Anchorage employees are now on the APU campus so staff do not need to drive across town to meet with colleagues.  This creates more efficient use of time and resources.  The new building also has a streamlined footprint resulting from a more efficient use of space.  
 
In addition, employees are active and prolific recyclers, taking advantage of bi-monthly pickups.  Many staff bike to work or take public transit, and many practice good habits such as turning off lights, reusing one-sided paper, and reusing their own coffee mugs to reduce waste and energy usage in the workplace.

Welcome to our new members.

    Cook Inlet Tribal Council
    Business Insurance Associates, Inc.
    ASRC Energy Services, Corporate Office

Thank you to our latest donors.
Tony Stanley of Stanley Motors and Kevin Stalder of Driven Auto Body have graciously donated office space to Green Star.  Green Star greatly appreciates this generous donation, which allows us to reduce our costs by sharing space with another business.  Members can still visit us and access our event recycling bins.  We also now have ample free parking!  See the article below for our new location.

New Member Discounts
Driven Auto Body is offering a 10% discount to any Green Star member on auto body paint and framework, and auto detailing. The discount is valid through October 31, 2009.  View all of our member discounts.

Events & Reminders

Plastic Bag and Film Recycling Returns - Anchorage residents can once again recycle plastic bags and other plastic film products at the Anchorage Recycling Center, located at 6161 Rosewood Street, just off of Dowling Road between the Old and New Seward Highways (behind NAPA). Drop-off is available 24/7. 

Backyard Compost Bins Available
- until September 27.  Anchorage Soil & Water Conservation District is selling backyard compost bins at it wood lot at 100th Ave. and C Street (between Dimond and O'Malley on C St.).  Stop by during wood lot hours, every Thursday, Friday, SaBTW in rainturday, or Sunday between 9am and 7pm.  The bins are $50 each, and you can purchase as many as you want.  These bins typically retail for $100 to $150.  Reduce your waste by composting your yard trimmings in your own backyard.  Create a useful product to put back on your plants.  Questions? Contact ASWCD at [email protected] or 677-SOIL.

Bike Friday - Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage hosts the season's last Bike Friday on the last Friday of September.  BCA will hand out free coffee and treats during the morning commute on September 25 to bicyclists around Anchorage.  Locations include:
  • Tudor/Elmore at ANTHC campus (6:30am - 9am)
  • Chester Creek Trail at Lake Otis baseball fields (7am - 9am)
  • Westchester Park at Westchester Lagoon (7am-9am)
Green Drinks - First Friday  At Indigo, 239 E. 5th Ave.  5:30 to 8:30pm.  Featuring green cocktails, beer and wine; food; music and art.  Part of the proceeds from the art sale will go to Green Star.  The event will feature recycled art.

ENERGY STAR Solid State Outdoor Lighting Webinar - October 8, 9-10:30am Alaska Time.  LED luminaires can now compete with high intensity discharge sources but not all LEDs are created equal. To differentiate products that will save energy over current technologies, the Department of Energy has developed ENERGY STAR criteria covering SSL (solid state lighting)-based outdoor area and roadway lighting, outdoor wall packs, parking garage, and canopy luminaires. This webcast will provide an update on the new criteria, including a description of the Fitted Target Efficacy metric and how ENERGY STAR will use it to evaluate outdoor area and roadway luminaires. Finally, the webcase will look at how currently available LED products compare to conventional lighting technologies for outdoor area lighting applications.  Register now.

Save the Date - Bioneers in Alaska will be October 16-18, 2009.
 
2009 Western U.S. Pollution Prevention Conference -
October 28-29, Bahia Hotel, 998 West Mission Bay Drive, San Diego, California. The Western Sustainability & Pollution Prevention Network (WSPPN) and the Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Center (PPRC) invite you to the 2009 Western U.S. Pollution Prevention Conference, an event that includes programs from both Region 9 and 10.  Come join your colleagues from the states of AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, NV, OR, and WA (including Tribal Lands and the Trust Territories) to discuss and learn about the most recent pollution prevention opportunities, sustainable practices, and climate change solutions and other environmental initiatives developing in the western United States. 

Green Star is on Twitter and Facebook!

Twitter:  Follow us for updates, news and green business tips.
Facebook:  Join our group "Green Star AK."

Changes at Green Star

Green Star's offices have moved!  We are now located at 5011 Spenard Road, Building A, Suite 204, Anchorage, AK 99517.  This will allow Green Star to put more of its resources toward assisting its members.
 
Thank you to everyone who helped us with the move!  Kent Crandall, Mary Fisher, Eric McCallum, Pat McDonald of Boys & Girls Club, Lisa Pekich, Kevin Stalder, Katy Suddock, Tom Turner and JR Moving.
 
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Another Big Change

Jeanne Carlson, Green Star's Program Director (<--that's me on the right!), will be leaving Alaska in October.  I will continue to be involved in Green Star through the web site, this newsletter and other aspects of outreach and technical assistance to our members.  However, for membership care and site visits, contact Lilly Capell at [email protected] or 278-7859.  In addition, a new membership coordinator will be starting on September 14 on a part-time basis.  Megan Poole can be reached at [email protected] once she is on board.
 
I have enjoyed working with all of you over the past decade, experiencing the dedication of our members to workplace efficiency.  I am gratified both by the large number of "green team" contacts who have been with Green Star for many years and by the new names and faces joining the effort to "green" our business community in Alaska.  I look forward to continuing to highlight your efforts in the community and providing assistance from my new east-coast home.

SPACE FOR LEASE
 
Green Star's space at 880 H Street is ready to be subleased.  Our current lease runs through July 2010 and we need to fill the space.   The space offers close proximity to downtown and the Park Strip, first floor access, an open floor plan with one closed office for flexibility, a kitchen space, and recycling services in the building.  If interested, please contact Kim Kovol at 278-7809 or [email protected].

Air Fresheners
May Not Be So Fresh

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When Green Star conducts site assessments for member businesses, one thing we often see is the use of air fresheners in restrooms and other areas.  Our recommendation that air fresheners not be used is often met with resistance.  Most businesses do not know how else to meet the need for air freshener products and feel that they are necessary.   Here are some facts about air fresheners and some ideas for making your workplace less toxic and more worker friendly.
 
The basic ingredients in air fresheners are formaldehyde, petroleum distillates, 1,4 dichlorobenzene and aerosol propellants. Recently many of these chemicals have been investigated for their safety. Some common chemicals found in air fresheners have been found to be toxic to humans and may increase the incidence of many different health problems. Natural and healthy air fresheners are now being used as alternatives to conventional air fresheners to minimize health hazards and environmental pollution.
 
A study recently performed by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) found that 12 of 14 common household air fresheners contained phthalates and that none of them listed phthalates as an ingredient. This study indicates that a significant number of air fresheners currently being used are a threat to public health.

The chemicals below were found in at least one of the 14 air fresheners that NRDC tested.
  • Di-ethyl Phthalate (DEP): Associated with changes in hormone levels and genital development in humans.
  • Di-n-butyl Phthalate (DBP): Recognized as a reproductive toxicant by the National Toxicology Program and the State of California. It can lead to changes in genital development.
  • Di-isobutyl Phthalate (DIBP): Associated with changes in male genital development.
  • Di-methyl Phthalate (DMP): Inconclusive evidence has shown reproductive toxicity in animal studies.
  • Di-isohexyl Phthalate (DIHP): Limited toxicity testing has shown that DIHP is probably a developmental and reproductive toxicant.
So how do you avoid the use of toxic air fresheners?  Here are some suggestions from the P2Rx Wiki:

Enhance Ventilation.  Good ventilation systems reduce the need for air fresheners by eliminating the need to mask odors and naturally eliminate unpleasant odors. Air fresheners cannot substitute for good ventilation.
Minimize Air Freshener Use. Air fresheners only mask the offensive odors and do not remove them. Avoid using air fresheners as often but, when necessary, use as little as possible to reduce the amount of hazardous chemicals in the air. Air fresheners should only be programmed to run if needed and should only be used for odors that are unavoidable.

Use Natural and Safe Air-Freshener Alternatives. Many products are available that offer healthy alternatives to commercial air fresheners. Organic soy and beeswax candles, natural potpourri, fresh flowers or herbs, natural essential oils, environmentally friendly non-aerosol pump sprays, and baking soda are all safe alternatives. Businesses that are looking to find non-toxic air fresheners should investigate available products to ensure their safety. Currently, regulations do not require manufacturers to list ingredients or require them to perform health and safety testing. Businesses and consumers should be aware of this and should take time to find air fresheners that are known to be safe.

Use Low-level Phthalate Air Fresheners. If you need to use air freshener products, use those known to have low levels of phthalates and other hazardous chemicals present in order to reduce potential health risks. Most products do not have labels that inform consumers of the presence of toxic chemicals. Consumers should be aware that the majority of air fresheners contain at least a low level of these dangerous chemicals and should understand that they are using them at their own risk.

No Idling At School, Please!
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It's back-to-school time so remember to consider your driving (or not driving) habits if you are taking kids to school. Idling can damage your engine, waste gas, and cause more pollution than shutting off the engine and starting it up again.  The rule of thumb is, if your car is stopped for more than 10 or 15 seconds and you're not in an active traffic lane, turn off your engine.
 
Personal Solutions to Idling
 
Avoid lines. The simplest solution is to avoid waiting in lines, especially in school zones, near libraries, playgrounds, or other places where children congregate.  Keeping age-appropriate safety a priority, try to drop off and pick up your child a block or two away from congested areas.
 
Walk or bike. If you live a short distance from your child's school, and there is a safe walking or biking route, now would be a good time to make them get there on their own steam.  Consider starting off slowly by making it a once-a-week event and building up over time.
 
Carpool. When walking even a short distance is not an option, carpooling is another way to cut down on the amount of time you spend waiting in lines on school grounds.
 
Exercise Climate Control. Unless the temperature is extreme, you don't need to run the engine to feel comfortable while waiting in your car.  Bundle everyone up and throw a blanket in the back seat when you go out in cool weather. 
 
If the school your children attend does not have a designated Idle-Free Zone with signage, contact Green Star to let us know.  We offer Idle-Free Zone signs that can be used at schools and businesses.
 
Click for several more not-so-personal solutions.

Solar Power is Possible in Alaska
Excerpted from the Anchorage Daily News - 8/31/09
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The sun is helping heat the water at the Denali Education Center in one of Alaska's largest solar water heating systems.

The Alaska Energy Authority awarded $190,000 to Golden Valley Electric Association of Fairbanks to commission the system at Denali National Park and Preserve. GVEA hired ABS Alaskan Inc. to design and install it.

"It demonstrates that not only are we an electric company, we are also an energy company," Brian Newton, Golden Valley president, said at the recent ribbon cutting. "We do care how much people consume. It's not just about selling electricity. It's about using it wisely."

The Denali Education Center hosts Elderhostel visits and sponsors youth programs, including Denali Discovery Camp, Denali Backcountry Adventure and WILD About Denali. The center's campus of cabins includes 17 water heaters powered by both electricity and propane.
The new solar heated water is expected to save the center as much as $9,000 per year in energy costs.

The sun doesn't directly heat the water. Instead, it heats a special glycol mix that runs through pipes in 1,300 square feet of panels that stand about 40 feet high.
The pipes run into the storage tank and disperse heat into the water. The glycol, still contained in the pipes, then loops back through the panels to be reheated.
Water is delivered to the cabins through 2,000 feet of insulated pipe. The system will be drained in winter, when residential programs are not operating.

One of the officials at the ribbon cutting, state Sen. Joe Thomas, D-Fairbanks, said it was done with Alaskan companies and Alaskan labor.

"I see it as one of many small, but very important pilot projects to expand our ability to use renewables in the state," he said.

Golden Valley owns the system, while Denali Education Center operates and maintains it.

"Not only will this system allow us to reduce cost, but it's also opening doors for education opportunities," said Jodi Rodwell, interim executive director of the center.

Denali Education Center is partnering with Solar Energy International and offering a training workshop for educators next summer.

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