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Stay current on what's happening in recycling around Anchorage. Several recycling organizations post regularly.
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Keep up with local events and cold-weather driving tips.
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The bicycling community pedals into fall with events and trainings.
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| Thank You to our Sponsors | Thank you to all of our sponsors and donors for supporting Green Star.
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This holiday season, give your time or donate to help feed your fellow Alaskans. |
| Green Star Staff |
Kim Kovol Executive Director Josh Sherwood |
What's New
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Green Star's address is
333 W. 4th Avenue, Suite 310, Anchorage, AK 99501. PLEASE MAKE A NOTE! Several web listings that are beyond our control list out-of-date contact information for Green Star in Anchorage. |
Member Benefits
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Green Star offers benefits to its members beyond just energy savings and waste reduction. Many local businesses offer product and service discounts to Green Star members. Visit our Member Benefits page to learn more. |
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SHINING STARS
Thanks to everyone who attended Green Star's Anchorage Recycles Day recycling bin auction. And thank you to the artists who created some fun recycling bins and everyone who bid on them!  | Here are a few of the bins that were auctioned off.
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EVENTS & REMINDERS
Find events on Green Star's web calendar. Responsible Purchasing Network WEBINAR: "Saving the Planet, One Paper Towel at a Time: Responsible Janitorial Tissue & Towel Purchasing" -- December 5
Join the Responsible Purchasing Network (RPN) on Wednesday, December 5, 2012, from 10am to 11:30am AK time, for a webinar on responsible paper towel and tissue sourcing -- to separate fact from "pulp fiction." Representatives from World Wildlife Fund, Conservatree, the City of Santa Monica, and RPN will discuss key issues and practical solutions to help institutional purchasers identify greener paper towel and tissue products. This webinar is free to attend, but registration is required. To learn more or to register: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/638898937. Pollution Prevention WEBINAR: "The Quick Chemical Assessment Tool (QCAT): Hazard Assessment Tool for Small and Medium Size Businesses" -- December 6
Thursday, December 6, from 10am to noon AK time. QCAT was written to enable small and medium-sized businesses with limited resources and technical expertise to conduct a basic hazard assessment. QCAT provides an introduction to the hazard assessment process and allows the identification of those chemicals with the highest level of concern. For those companies new to the hazard assessment process, the QCAT provides a good starting point. To learn more or to register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1968506588412612096. New Organization Launch Party -- December 6 Alaska Center for the Environment (ACE), Alaska Conservation Alliance (ACA), and Alaska Youth for Environmental Action (AYEA) have merged to form a new statewide conservation organization. Please come celebrate at the LAUNCH PARTY from 5:30 to 7:30pm in the Alaska Performing Arts Center, Carr Gottstein Lobby. Beer, wine, and appetizers.
"A (re)Purposeful Life" at Midnight Sun Brewing Co. -- December 7 - January 3
 Midnight Sun's December First Firkin Friday will feature art pieces made from found objects, repurposed things and parts and pieces of other things.
First Firkin Friday is always on First Friday up in the Loft (8111 Dimond Hook Drive). The firkin keg is tapped at 5pm. This month's brew is "Lust," from the 2007 Deadly Sin series. Various artists will be exhibiting pieces for "A (re)Purposeful Life" exhibit, which runs through January 3rd.
Green Star Annual Meeting -- December 12
Green Star's annual meeting will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 12, from noon to 1:30pm at the offices of the Denali Commission (510 L Street, Suite 410). All members are welcome to attend and an annual activities report will be presented.
REAP Clean Energy Lecture Series -- December 12
Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP) hosts FREE forums from 6 to 8pm on the 2nd Wednesday of every month from September to May at the Anchorage Museum auditorium, 625 C Street. Those who can't attend can listen via live podcast or download a podcast posted after the event.
The December lecture is "Lessons From Iceland:
Energy & Policy Updates from the Institute of the North." Co-hosted by the Institute of the North, the forum will focus on energy and infrastructure development in Iceland, highlighting what our Arctic neighbors have done to advance renewable energy in their country. Nils Andreassen, Executive Director of the Institute of the North, will report on the Institute's recent policy tour of Iceland, and discuss how the country is developing geothermal and hydroelectric resources to support economic prosperity. Other speakers to be determined.
From 7:30 to 8:00, forum attendees can enjoy complimentary refreshments and talk with other leaders who participated in the Iceland policy tour.
Visit http://alaskarenewableenergy.org/ for more information, to register for the lecture as a webinar, or to see a list of future lectures.
Zombie Apocalypse Winter Bike Ride 2012 -- December 15
 Take a break from the holiday shopping craze, wear your best zombie threads, saddle up on your studded or fat tire bike and join Green Star's inaugural Zombie Apocalypse Winter Bike Ride on Saturday, December 15, 2012.
Green Star welcomes all winter bike riders to join a freakishly mellow five-mile bike ride in the Spenard/Turnagain area. We are riding to generate enthusiasm for winter bike commuting in town, with an emphasis on safety, in a fun forum! How cool is it to see a bunch of zombies taking to the streets on two wheels?
Meet at Middle Way Cafe at 9:30am for registration, coffee, treats, and route rundown. Ride will depart from Middle Way Cafe at 10:00am sharp. Maps will be provided to our destination at Tap Root Public House on 3300 Spenard Road (between 33rd Ave and 34th Ave) for more zombie fun, swag give-aways, and drink specials! Bike Valet Parking available. We could not do this without the support of our sponsors: Alaska Injury Prevention, American Diabetes Association, Arctic Bicycle Club - Mountain Bike Racing Division, Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage (BCA), Bosco's Comics, Chain Reaction, Middle Way Cafe, Midnight Sun Brewing Company, Off the Chain, Paramount Cycles, R.E.I. - Anchorage, Screamin' Yeti Designs, Shirts Up, Solstice Advertising, Tap Root Public House, and The Bicycle Shop. REGISTRATION: SUGGESTED DONATION of $10 PER RIDER - this includes coffee, snacks, and T-SHIRT! RSVP through Zombie Apocalypse FaceBook event - simply confirm you are attending, post your t-shirt size, and pay the morning of the ride. Cash, check, and credit cards accepted. T-shirt sizes are adult standard. Kids 12 and under ride free. Annual Christmas Tree Recycling Drop-off -- December 28 - January 15  Drop off your tree at the clearly marked areas of Carrs parking lots in Anchorage, Eagle River, and Palmer between Friday, December 28, and Tuesday, January 15. Be sure to remove all lights, ornaments, tree stands, tinsel, and plastic bags before leaving your tree. No wreathes are accepted because they have wires in them. The trees are processed into wood chips and used for trail cover, erosion control, and mulch by local nonprofits and government agencies. Boy Scout Troop 268 will pick up trees for a small donation. Call 868-8899. Sponsored by ALPAR (Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling), with support from Carrs and the Municipality of Anchorage Solid Waste Services. Alaska Aces Holiday Recycle Program -- December 28, 29, 31  Bring your holiday wrapping paper and small electronics for recycling to the Alaska Aces games on December 28, 29, and 31. Recyclers will be entered to win a hockey stick from goalie Gerald Coleman and signed by the team. Drop off your recyclable items between 6 and 7pm at the recycling area at the south entrance and receive an entry form. The entry form can be turned in to one of the recycling tables set up inside the arena to be entered to win. No plastic or foil wrapping, bows, ribbons,or tissue paper. Only paper wrapping and paperboard gift boxes.Electronics should be laptop-sized or smaller. No other household recyclables will be collected at the games.Thanks to MOA Solid Waste Services, Green Star, Total Reclaim, RockTenn, Alaska Waste, the Alaska Aces, and ALPAR for organizing this event. Green Star Award Quarterly Achievement Report Submittal Deadline -- December 31 To be eligible for earning Green Star Award certification this quarter, please submit your achievement report to Green Star by December 31. Visit Green Star for more details about the process.  Anchorage to Zero Waste Guide -- Download the guide. Produced twice a year by the Municipality of Anchorage's Solid Waste Services, the guide is your definitive source for recycling information in Anchorage. The new fall/winter issue includes information about winter water quality, heating with wood cleanly, and updated recycling, energy efficiency, and waste prevention information. Alaska Materials Exchange. Don't forget to list your used items on the exchange or look there for items before going shopping. At any given time, you can find office furniture and supplies, chemicals, pallets, constructions materials and more. Visit AME for more information. |
GREEN LUXURY AT PEARSON'S PONDby Lawrence Hoffman, student in UAA Honors 192 (Field Notes From a Catastrophe: Climate Change), taught by Dr. Paula Williams, Director of the Office of Sustainability at UAA
Pearson's Pond Luxury Inn & Adventure Spa, located in Juneau, Alaska, is proving that green hospitality can be luxurious and comfortable. This beautiful inn was ranked number one in Juneau by TripAdvisor and also recently received its Green Star Award certification -- the first to be awarded in the hospitality industry in Juneau. The owners, Maryann and Rachael Ray, have always been aware of their impact on the environment.
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Pearson's Pond has implemented a rainwater-collection system. From April through September, the inn collects about 575 gallons of rainwater and uses it exclusively to water gardens and hanging plants.
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Immediately after purchasing the inn in 2009, the new owners began work to reduce its carbon footprint. New, more efficient and longer-lasting light bulbs went in, old appliances began to be replaced with more efficient and modern models, and strong cleaning chemicals were given up in favor of less toxic alternative cleaning agents.
In those early days, no curbside recycling existed in Juneau, so the new owners sorted and hauled all of the recyclables themselves. Maryann recalls the commitment recycling was then, pointing out that sometimes the sorting and hauling would take up to half a day. It was done in addition to cleaning rooms, conducting maintenance, and ensuring that guests were comfortable. Despite this extra work, Maryann is quick to point out that "going green" wasn't difficult or expensive -- rather it was easier than one might think and it will save money over time.
While some may think that eco-friendly fireplaces, low-flow toilets, and special light bulbs would cost more money and possibly adversely affect the customers' enjoyment of the facility, the reviews say otherwise. The inn has been awarded five circles from TripAdvisor and four diamonds from AAA (the only one in Alaska), and was voted one of the ten most romantic inns by MSN, so it would seem the customers and critics approve.
As for the money, perhaps Maryann put it best, "There were no long-term costs, and no long-term hardships."
Furthermore, she points out that the Green Star walk-through, conducted earlier this year by Green Star staff, helped her to identify some areas of need and provided additional energy-savings information, which will continue to save Pearson's Pond money for years to come.
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Pearson's Pond supplies bikes for guests to use.
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Maryann's advice to other businesses is to look at the greater problem in smaller, more manageable parts, and then set small personal goals for reduction of the carbon footprint. She points out that it just makes sense; small businesses stand to save a lot of money by taking a more environmentally conservative approach to business.
Learn more about Pearson's Pond.
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TWO GREEN STAR MEMBERS TEAM UP TO TRACK SUCCESS
 Renewable Energy Systems (a Green Star member) recently installed equipment at Valley Community for Recycling Solutions (a Green Star awardee) to track and analyze the use of solar and wind power. A web link shows real time monitoring of the renewable energy systems (wind and solar) that VCRS has installed over the past two years. VCRS and RES hope to use these data to assist other local businesses in determining what renewable energy system would work best for them in the Valley area. RES also teaches classes at VCRS's educational facility.
Learn more about VCRS.
Learn more about Renewable Energy Systems.
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ALASKA RAILROAD CURTAILS WINTER ENGINE IDLING IN FAIRBANKS
 The Alaska Railroad (a Green Star awardee) announced this week it has curtailed the practice of keeping its locomotives running in cold weather in Fairbanks and moved the locomotives indoors. Since November 1st, the reduced idling has cut fuel usage by more than 24,000 gallons, saving roughly $80,000, according to a statement sent from the railroad to the F airbanks Daily News-Miner.
"As we gather more information and history, we expect to further validate our numbers," said David Greenhalgh, the railroad's director of crew management and transportation services. "The next phase will track the positive environmental impact from fewer emissions." Railroad employees pitched the Locomotive Idle Reduction Program to management in September as a way to save money. The railroad said moving the locomotives indoors required some logistical maneuvering because indoor space is at such a premium in the winter. But it has been worth it. Learn more about the Alaska Railroad's environmental commitment.
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Access past issues of E-News, sorted by topic or date. Please send comments, questions, or suggestions for future E-News topics to us at jeanne@greenstarinc.org. Forward this newsletter freely. Send us any email addresses you wish us to add to our mailing list. Thank you!
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