Summer 2016
Commercial Recycling Team
Chris Day
Commercial Recycling Supervisor
  
  
     
Rita Keys
Sr. Administrative Assistant
  
 

 
Commercial Recycling Coordinators

 
Andrea Allston

  
Vicki Darbonne



Kim Flynn
  
 
 
Michelle Long


Meet Our Newest Green Business Educator -
Legacy Preparatory Charter Academy
Beyond books and blackboards, Legacy Preparatory Charter Academy (LPCA) demonstrates to students environmental responsibility as Plano's newest Green Business Certified educator. As a state-accredited, project-based charter school, LPCA prepares its scholars for college and careers.

LPCA's green attributes include motion sensor and timed-lighting controls, on-site food composting and a garden with produce donated to a local food bank. Much of the school's operations are environmentally based--scholars in art class create works of art from household and other repurposed materials. The on-site green space provides hands-on nature and environmental science lessons.

LPCA's Green Business Certification process went quickly, beginning with Senior Director Rosa Reyes attending a Green Business seminar in February, meeting with her commercial recycling coordinator on April 4 and becoming certified in just 17 days on April 26. Ms. Reyes credited the determination and collaboration of the LPCA staff for making it possible. Help us welcome Legacy Preparatory Charter Academy to the Green Business Certified roster!
Let Us Recognize Your Business
We value what you are doing to make Plano a cleaner, greener city. In September, over 200 people will join the City of Plano to celebrate folks just like you who are making environmental contributions as individuals, schools, community groups and businesses.

The 2016 Environmental Community Awards (ECA) application process is underway and we want to hear from you. You can self-nominate or nominate someone else in a variety of categories. Categories for the Environmental Star of Excellence business awards are: Environmental Commitment, Green Building, Small Business, Multi-Family and Green Business Certified. Business applications are due Friday, Aug. 5. Great news--the 2016 application is streamlined to make it easier. Click here for descriptions of all categories, deadlines and requirements, as well as ECA luncheon information.
 
Check out our 2015 winners and envision your business as an Environmental Star of Excellence winner for 2016!
Exchange Rewarding Ideas at the Green Business Certification Roundtable
In 2015, Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS) initiated the Green Business Certification Roundtable as part of its week-long celebration of Earth Day. The HDFS green team wanted to create a forum for businesses to exchange ideas for best green practices. To join the Roundtable, you must be one of Plano's Green Business Certified (GBC) companies. You also must be open to sharing resources and knowledge while making great personal and business connections. 

HDFS gave the Roundtable the kick start and other host businesses such as Ke Kino Massage Academy, Bavarian Grill and Cambria hotel & suites have carried the event forward with enthusiasm. Each hosting business puts its signature on the event. Ke Kino's Roundtable provided a peaceful, serene environment while Bavarian Grill offered an authentic Bavarian lunch and a guest speaker. In May, Cambria hotel & suites showcased southern hospitality with a lively discussion, catered lunch and property tour. Cambria's General Manager John Henry wrapped up his presentation with "Plano is the City of Excellence, not the City of okay!" The GBC Roundtable adds to Plano's excellence. Unique benefits for participants are networking opportunities, promotional partnerships and valuable information. If your company would like to become Green Business Certified, contact Rita Keys at [email protected].

Solar panels provide Cambria hotel & suites energy cost-savings. 
Drones Guide Recycling Efforts at Legacy West
Construction cranes are not the only things filling the sky at the northwest corner of Legacy Drive and the Dallas North Tollway. Rogers-O'Brien Construction is using drones to oversee the building of Legacy West, a 35-acre project consisting of an extensive retail center for shopping, dining and fun. Construction began in May 2015 and some sections of this highly-anticipated complex will be open for business in spring 2017.
 
A camera drone flies to heights of 500 feet as part of the construction team. One person watches the drone from the ground and another at the office steers the joystick with a screen to monitor the drone's photography. According to Steve Pesnell, senior superintendent, Rogers-O'Brien Construction has used drones since 2010, helping site managers stay on top of large projects. The drone is launched weekly to the same exact coordinates, cruising over the site and photographing the project's progress. It provides detailed photos--providing valuable information for planning, such as verification of the number of pallets of stone delivered.
 
In addition to coordinating the workforce of 300 crew members and the myriad of tasks, recycling construction debris is also carefully monitored and managed with the drone. To date, over 1,630 tons of concrete, masonry, sheetrock, metal, paper, plastic and wood have been recycled and diverted from the landfill. With an outstanding diversion rate of 98.95 percent, Rogers-O'Brien is doing its environmental best for future generations as they build a stunning development for our generation.

Cameron Wahl prepares team member drone for flight over the Legacy West Retail Development.