Sustainability


Haworth Achieves LEED-NC Gold Status Using Carbon Credits

The U.S. Green Building Council recognizes that there's more than one way to win the gold.

bio-oil pressure cooker

University of Michigan Pressure Cooks Algae Soup for Bio-oil

The $2-million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act-funded research combines hydrothermal, catalytic, and biological approaches to make biofuel.

dan steele wireless

Wireless Spread Spectrum Radio SCADA for Water Facilities

Think of the monitoring possibilities: cathodic integrity for corrosion, pump station efficiency, and tank status.

pm25

U.S. Air Quality Somewhat Better in 2006-2008, ALA Says

The American Lung Association's annual State of the Air report attributes gains to emissions control equipment for coal-fired power plants and cleaner diesel fuel and engines.

Herman Miller Reaches 100% Green Energy Use Goal

Using renewable energy certificates and power purchase agreements, the company uses energy from the sun, wind, and water flow to power its operations.

New Biofuel Gasification Process Doubles Production

University of Massachusetts and University of Minnesota researchers used methane and carbon dioxide in a single reactor to lower greenhouse gases and make more fuel.

Wake Forest Study Suggests Pokeberries Could Make Solar Affordable

Red dye from purple pokeberries help trap more sunlight in fiber-based solar cells.

BAN Launches Electronics Recycling Certification

Both environmental groups and corporations back the e-Stewards initiative, according to the Basel Action Network.



Feds Recognize Sandia, ORNL for Recycling and Sustainability

Sandia National Laboratories recycled 124,333 pounds of electronics scrap through permitted electronics scrap recycling facilities while Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed net zero energy and sustainability initiatives.

Workplace Waste Reduction Efforts Work

Companies take grassroots measures until ROI emerges, Consortium says.

Fannie Mae Data Center Saves $1.7 M in Energy Costs

Five years after achieving LEED certification, the Fannie Mae facility preserves nearly 13,000 gallons of water per day from consumption and waste.

Tomorrow's Water Has Less Government Funding, GWI Says

Global Water Intelligence has released its 2011 market report, which covers infrastructure, water scarcity, desalination, and reuse.

FAA NextGen

NEPA Process Slowing NextGen Progress, Says GE Aviation CEO

Lorraine Bolsinger with GE Aviation Systems said the environmental benefits of NextGen are being delayed by cumbersome environmental impact studies.

Oldcastle Precast Provides Tanks for Waste-to-Energy Facility

The company's wastewater holding tanks will be part of a Reynolds, Ind., project that will replace an aging lagoon treatment system.

TomTom Study Reveals Most Polluting Roads in the United States

Data from GPS users give detailed view of carbon emissions impacts from traffic jams on nation’s primary and secondary roads.

North Shore-Long Island Hospitals to Improve Sustainability

The North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System has agreed to join EPA programs that will help lower energy and water usage, waste, and air pollution at 12 areas hospitals.

Kimberly-Clark Professional Musters a Green Patrol

Employees and other volunteers will be planting trees, cleaning communities, and recycling materials as well as watching for random acts of greenness.

Free Guidebook Profiles 286 Green Colleges

The Princeton Review and the U.S. Green Building Council surveyed hundreds of colleges to find those with commitments to sustainability.

57% Say 'Zero Waste' Achievement Is More than 40 Years Away

Glass Packaging Institute says it is trying to increase awareness to meet its goal of using 50 percent recycled content in glass containers by 2013.

Hayes Comments on Certified Wood Standards

Both the Forest Stewardship Council and Sustainable Forest Initiative want their standards accepted by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program.