Go Green East Tennessee

Go Green East Tennessee tag:www.gogreenet.com,2010-03-24://1 An environmental resource for East Tennessee Business Movable Type Pro 5.13-en Green Achievers: Diverse paths available to becoming greener - News tag:www.gogreenet.com,2012:/news//2.226 2012-05-07T15:28:29Z 2012-05-07T15:36:00Z

Originally published in the Greater Knoxville Business Journal May 2012 issue and knoxvillebiz.com, were feature stories from the essays provided by several of our Green Achiever applicantsGreen doesn't have to be red or blue.As Mayor Madeline Rogero points out in...

Shelley Phillips http://www.gogreenet.com/ Originally published in the Greater Knoxville Business Journal May 2012 issue and knoxvillebiz.com, were feature stories from the essays provided by several of our Green Achiever applicants

Green doesn't have to be red or blue.

As Mayor Madeline Rogero points out in the Business Journal cover story, her recent predecessors -- Republican and Democrat alike -- made Knoxville a greener place, whether that meant creating more parks, renovating city facilities to make them energy efficient or launching a curbside recycling service.

In her inaugural budget address, Rogero outlined "living green and working green" as a top priority for her administration. She defines that broadly, as do the dozens of organizations that participated in our GoGreenET Business Recognition program. Each of them downloaded a survey that includes 100-plus ways to reduce their carbon footprint. By checking at least one item in each category and scoring at least 30 points, participating businesses become Green Achievers.

Several businesses and their accomplishments are highlighted in the stories below in the areas of community outreach, recycling/waste reduction and energy efficiency. Their stories illuminate how many shades of green exist, and I hope they'll inspire you to find a shade that works for your organization.

Join us at a Business After Hours from 5 to 7 p.m. May 15 to celebrate their achievements and learn more about making your own workplace greener. The event will be held at the University of Tennessee Gardens, just off Neyland Drive next to the UT Veterinary School. RSVP by calling the Knoxville Chamber at 865-246-2622 or visit www.knoxvillechamber.com and click Chamber Events.

]]> Green Achiever stories:

City of Knoxville sustainability update: Tight budget, new mandates refine mayor's agenda

Scripps Networks Interactive: Scripps aims to paint everyday life green

Asset Planning Corp.: Size no barrier to earth-friendly volunteering

DeRoyal Industries: Turning its trash into others' treasures

Alsco: Upgrades a wash out with savings on utilities

Kelsan: New warehouse lighting illuminates energy savings

]]> Oak Ridge Sustainable Energy & Environment Expo this weekend - News tag:www.gogreenet.com,2012:/news//2.225 2012-04-30T16:50:04Z 2012-04-30T16:56:30Z

Shelley Phillips http://www.gogreenet.com/ Learn about what Oak Ridge organizations are doing in sustainable development at the Oak Ridge Sustainable Energy & Environment Expo Saturday, May 5 at the Oak Ridge Civic Center.

The free event includes discussion of the use of renewable energy sources, recycling and other practices of green technology and how consumers can reduce their own carbon footprint.

Experts will be on hand to answer questions from attendees.

For more information visit the ORSEEE website at www.orseee.com

]]> University of Tennessee offers organic gardening tour - News tag:www.gogreenet.com,2012:/news//2.224 2012-04-19T17:03:38Z 2012-04-19T17:14:22Z

Shelley Phillips http://www.gogreenet.com/

The center has scheduled its fourth annual Organic Crops Field Tour for April 26.

The 90-acre Organic Crops Unit, located in Knoxville at 7315 Government Farm Road, is dedicated to organic crop research, and the field day will highlight current research projects and discuss organic crop production techniques and recommendations.

]]> The event will feature presentations from University of Tennessee staff on gardening topics including:

--High tunnels, small-scale rainwater collection, and small-scale composting.

--Reduced tillage, field crop seeding rates and weed control, and brown marmorated stink bugs.

--Fruit production, tomato grafting, and heirloom seeds.

Industry and educational exhibits will also be set up at this event, including a trade show and equipment displays.

Onsite registration opens at 9 a.m. and is $15. Pre-registration is $10 when made through the UT Organic and Sustainable Crop Production website by April 23.

UT AgResearch, in cooperation with UT Extension and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, launched the organic agriculture initiative to involve more Tennessee farmers in organic production for the purpose of increasing farm income.

]]> EarthFest 2012: Green Means Business - News tag:www.gogreenet.com,2012:/news//2.223 2012-04-17T12:48:08Z 2012-04-17T13:14:11Z

EarthFest, Knoxville's annual Earthday event, will be held 10 a.m.-5 p.m. this Saturday at Pellissippi State's Hardin Valley campus.Learn more about green practices and opportunities in Knoxville at the event's educational activities and meet some of the region's businesses who...

Shelley Phillips http://www.gogreenet.com/ Pellissippi State's Hardin Valley campus.

Learn more about green practices and opportunities in Knoxville at the event's educational activities and meet some of the region's businesses who are incorporating sustainability and environmentally friendly practices into their organizations. Nearly 100 exhibitors will be on site.

Other activities:

Light Bulb Exchange by KUB

The first 100 people who bring a used, incandescent light bulb to KUB's booth at EarthFest will be able to exchange it for a new compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL).

Medic Regional Blood Drive

Recycle Yourself: Organ Donation Sign-up

Mercury Thermometer Exchange

Bring your old mercury thermometers and exchange them for a new digital one.

Plastic Bag Exchange

Tennova HealthCare and Keep Knoxville Beautiful will exchange your old plastic bags for a new reusable one.

Heart for Guatemala Shoe and Coat Collection

EarthFest is committed to being a zero-waste event, including all exhibitors and activities. For a full list of food vendors, arts and crafts stands, environmental exhibits and information, visit the Earthfest website.

]]> Knoxville businesses named Best Workplaces for Commuters - News tag:www.gogreenet.com,2012:/news//2.222 2012-04-02T15:30:36Z 2012-04-02T15:46:09Z

Shelley Phillips http://www.gogreenet.com/ Six Knoxville-area organizations have received national recognition as Best Workplaces for Commuters.

City and county officials recognized the six Best Commuter companies at Market Square on March 29.

Six Knoxville-area organizations have received national recognition as Best Workplaces for Commuters.

Elizabeth Eason Architecture, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Mast General Store, Metropolitan Planning Commission, Red Chair Architects, and Tennessee Valley Authority were recognized March 29 by the National Center for Transit Research, which facilitates the program along with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation.

The Best Workplaces program recognizes employers for offering outstanding commuter benefits, such as free or low cost bus passes and carpooling benefits and telecommuting programs. These benefits can reduce pollution, commuting

costs, traffic congestion and employee stress, say program officials.

"Our employees have embraced the benefit options. It is easy to offer these benefits and we are already seeing a reduced parking expense," said Jim Richards, manager of Mast General Store in a press release..

]]> VW adding solar park to Chattanooga plant site - News tag:www.gogreenet.com,2012:/news//2.221 2012-03-20T11:40:32Z 2012-03-20T11:52:12Z

Shelley Phillips http://www.gogreenet.com/

The solar park will supply more than 12 percent of the factory's power and be one of the largest solar facilities in the state, reports Mike Pare in Chattanooga's Times Free Press daily.

VW executives add it will be one of the largest private solar facilities in the region and the largest such project for the company worldwide.

According to Volkswagen, two companies will build and run the plant -- Phoenix Solar, a German business with U.S. headquarters in California, and Silicon Ranch Corp., which is based in Nashville.

Plans for the solar generation contributed to VW's LEED rating for the Chattanooga site.

]]> East Tennessee schools recognized for sustainability efforts - News tag:www.gogreenet.com,2012:/news//2.220 2012-03-13T17:02:06Z 2012-03-13T17:53:16Z

Education around East Tennessee is getting a little greener on both the inside -- through student programs -- and on the outside -- including upgrades to campus buildings and equipment.Maryville College received a STARS Bronze Rating in recognition of its...

Shelley Phillips http://www.gogreenet.com/

Maryville College received a STARS Bronze Rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements in January of this year.

In February, several area high schools and elementary schools were recognized by the East Tennessee chapter of the US Green Building Council at the High Performance + Healthy Schools Symposium.

The recipients included the Knox County Schools in the Outstanding School District category; Oak Ridge High School and White Pine Elementary School for Outstanding School; E.L. Ross Elementary School for Outstanding School Group; and Johnson City Power Board for Community Outreach.

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Maryville College

The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, or STARS program, by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education is the only one of its kind that involves publicly reporting comprehensive information related to a college or university's sustainability performance.

Participants report achievements in four key categories that are outlined by the STARS reporting tool: 1) education and research; 2) operations; 3) planning, administration and engagement; and 4) innovation.

In September 2010, the College announced its participation in the program and was able to obtain STARS 1.0 to begin the initial process of achieving a sustainability rating and assessment of the campus.

"Over an 18-month period, we had a team of four faculty and student assistants working on this research, each focusing on a different category of the STARS data that involved everything from curricular surveys, transportation surveys, multiple meetings and data collection with the Physical Plant staff and reviews of strategic plans, human resource policies and investing holdings of the institution," said Adrienne Schwarte, associate professor of art/graphic design and MC STARS administrator.

The finished report was submitted January 18 and cited some of the following achievements:

Student and community sustainability initiatives and events

Organic garden plots for students

An undergraduate program in sustainability, MC's Environmental Studies program

Ongoing faculty research in sustainability

Lighting sensors and energy efficient lighting on campus

Recycling initiatives

Healthy Schools

The primary focus of High Performance Healthy Schools Symposium was improving student learning environments through innovations in building design and technology.

Outstanding School District

Knox County Schools

Knox County Schools demonstrated excellence by researching and implementing newest energy-saving technologies, actively seeking to improve school maintenance efficiency and quality. The school system significantly reduced spending through education in energy efficiency and demand response programs.

Outstanding School

Oak Ridge High School

Oak Ridge High School is the first LEED certified school in East Tennessee. The building design earned the LEED Silver certification for reducing energy consumption by 26%, and reducing water usage by 22%. The redesigned also increased natural light in study spaces.

Outstanding School

White Pine Elementary School

White Pine Elementary School, located in Jefferson County, received its award for outstanding work in sustainability. Through grants teachers are able to further the school mission of promoting conservation, recycling, environmental education, and protection of endangered species. Students learn about sustainability in various ways, from native plant gardens and composting with earthworms to home energy audits.

Outstanding School Group

E.L. Ross Elementary School

E.L. Ross Elementary School which is a part of Cleveland City Schools, has a team of 30 students completely engaged in energy efficiency. Students perform shut-down services for teachers, engage in energy-efficiency poster contests and energy competitions, work with the maintenance department to resolve issues in the school uncovered by student-led audits.

Community Outreach

Johnson City Power Board

The power board actively promotes building and energy efficiency through education to all area schools; faculty, staff, students, and parents have attended seminars on everything from insulation to lighting both at schools and at home.

]]> Electric car stations growing in popularity in Knoxville - News tag:www.gogreenet.com,2012:/news//2.219 2012-03-08T14:46:46Z 2012-03-08T14:53:50Z

According to a Department of Energy report, has the second highest number of electric vehicle charging stations in Tennessee, behind Nashville, but ahead of Memphis and Chattanooga.Between March and December 2011, Knoxville drivers charged up more than 7,100 times --...

Shelley Phillips http://www.gogreenet.com/

Between March and December 2011, Knoxville drivers charged up more than 7,100 times -- twice as many as in Chattanooga.

And 28 more charging stations are expected in Knoxville by June, including 10 solar charging stations in partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, says Knoxville News Sentinel reporter Gerald Witt in a recent article.

Knoxville businesses such as Cracker Barrel , Three Rivers Market, the Crowne Plaza hotel and others already have stations available for customers.

The growth is fueled by a $99.8 million grant from DOE to ECOtality to install charging sites. Knoxville is one of four cities in Tennessee and one of 18 in the country to benefit from the money.

]]> UT researcher helps develop safe, green toy certification - News tag:www.gogreenet.com,2012:/news//2.218 2012-03-05T15:12:28Z 2012-03-05T15:31:20Z

Shelley Phillips http://www.gogreenet.com/ Local researcher Catherine Wilt is working to make toys healthier, safer and more environmentally-friendly.

Wilt, director of the Center for Clean Products at the University of Tennessee, helped develop North America's first and only third-party environmental toy standard, UL 172 for manufacturers. The voluntary certification recognizes companies which use safer chemicals and healthier, more environmentally-preferable materials in toys.

UL 172, administered by UL Environment, a subsidiary of Underwriters Laboratories, is applicable to play products made from wood, plastic, rubber, textiles, metal and bio-based materials--from balls and action figures to costume clothing and jewelry.

"While there are standards addressing the safety of toys, such as choking hazards, there are no North American standards to address toxicity," Wilt said. "Toxic toy recalls in recent years have made consumers increasingly wary about the safety of toys. Certification to UL 172 will provide them with peace of mind while giving innovative manufacturers the credit they deserve."

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were at least 45 toxic toy recalls between 2008 and 2011. All 45 recalls involved toys that were manufactured outside the U.S. While a North American organization manages UL 172, any toy manufacturer in the world can apply.

]]> "This standard is an important step in promoting greener, healthier toys for children," Wilt said. "Through restricting content such as heavy metals, known carcinogens, and other human health hazards, while encouraging practices like socially and environmentally responsible manufacturing with sustainably sourced materials, this standard will enable ... toy buyers to make purchases they feel confident about."

Its criteria meet or exceed U.S. and European Union requirements for toy toxicity and places strict limits on emissions of volatile organic compounds and helps minimize pollution generated by the production, use, and disposal of toys and their packaging.

The Center for Clean Products, part of Knoxville's Institute for a Secure and Sustainable Environment, is an internationally recognized leader in the development of environmental product certifications, having developed environmental standards for products and industries as diverse as cleaning products to office electronics and now children's toys.

]]> New facility will test smart grid technology - News tag:www.gogreenet.com,2012:/news//2.217 2012-02-29T12:51:19Z 2012-02-29T13:51:31Z

Shelley Phillips http://www.gogreenet.com/

EnerNex, Knoxville-based electric power research company, will test, evaluate and demonstrate smart grid technology at its new Smart Grid Labs facility. It will also be used for education and training.

The company will be able to model the connection and disconnection of equipment and demonstrate how it will affect its local grid.

"EnerNex's commitment to innovation, grid modernization, and interoperability is woven throughout the Lab's design. We plan to continue to invest in the Lab's testing infrastructure to meet the evolving Smart Grid architecture and technologies," said Brad Singletary, Deputy Director.

The independent facility simulates a utility substation, control center, residential or light commercial service entrance, residential utility room (washer, dryer, water heater), kitchen, and a living space. These will be used to help vendors, utilities and regulatory elements to evaluate and understand technology readiness for Smart Grid in ongoing and emerging technology efforts.

EnerNex is the administrator for the Smart Grid Interoperability Panel. In August 2009, the company was awarded an $8.5 million contract by the National Institute of Standards and Technology to sustain the accelerated development of the standards that will be required to build a secure, interoperable smart electric power grid.

]]> Pellissippi State hosts electronics recycling event - News tag:www.gogreenet.com,2012:/news//2.216 2012-02-16T13:52:01Z 2012-02-16T13:58:40Z

Shelley Phillips http://www.gogreenet.com/ An electronics recycling event will be held 9 a.m.-4 p.m. February 17 at Pellissippi State Community College's Magnolia Avenue campus at 1610 E. Magnolia Ave..

Scott Recycling of Knoxville will accept electronics for disposal in the rear parking lot of the campus.

Items accepted include all types of equipment that contains electronic parts like copiers, fax machines, printers, computer and telephone equipment, power backups, servers and small appliances.

Recycled electronics will count toward Pellissippi State's total for Recyclemania, a national competition and benchmarking tool for college and university recycling programs to promote waste reduction activities to their campus communities. Recyclemania started February 15 and continues through March 31.

For more information call (865) 694-6400

]]> UT researcher hopes his biosolar project leads to cheap, sustainable energy - News tag:www.gogreenet.com,2012:/news//2.215 2012-02-03T13:45:04Z 2012-02-03T14:10:09Z

Shelley Phillips http://www.gogreenet.com/ A University of Tennessee, Knoxville professor and a team of researchers have developed a solar cell system that taps into the photosynthetic processes of plants to produce efficient and inexpensive energy.

Barry Bruce, part of UT's Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Education, worked with researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Ecole Polytechnique Federale in Switzerland, to develop a process that improves the efficiency of generating electric power using molecular structures extracted from algae.

The biosolar breakthrough has the potential to make "green" electricity cheaper and easier, Bruce says.

To produce the energy, the scientists harnessed the power of a key component of photosynthesis known as photosystem-I (PSI). This complex was then bioengineered to specifically interact with a semi-conductor so that, when illuminated, the process of photosynthesis produced electricity.

The research team says the system self-assembles and is simple enough to be replicated in most labs.

A new biosolar system system taps into photosynthetic

processes from blue-green algae to produce electricity.

Image credit University of Tennessee, Knoxville

]]> "Because the system is so cheap and simple, my hope is that this system will develop with additional improvements to lead to a green, sustainable energy source," said Bruce.

The cell consists of small tubes made of zinc oxide bioengineered to attract PSI particles and quickly become coated with them. Done correctly, the two materials combine on the metal oxide interface, which when illuminated by sunlight, excites PSI to produce an electron which "jumps" into the zinc oxide semiconductor, producing an electric current.

"This is a real scientific breakthrough that could become a significant part of our renewable energy strategy in the future," said Lee Riedinger, UT interim vice chancellor for research.

Complete findings are in the current issue of Nature: Scientific Reports.

Bruce's work is funded by the Emerging Frontiers Program at the National Science Foundation.

]]> Tennessee expands rebate program for electric cars - News tag:www.gogreenet.com,2012:/news//2.214 2012-02-02T14:29:52Z 2012-02-02T14:37:38Z

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- The state of Tennessee is adding a second car model to its electric vehicle rebate program, which so far has drawn fewer participants than expected.WSMV-TV reported Wednesday that the state will soon begin offering $2,500 rebates...

Shelley Phillips http://www.gogreenet.com/ NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- The state of Tennessee is adding a second car model to its electric vehicle rebate program, which so far has drawn fewer participants than expected.

WSMV-TV reported Wednesday that the state will soon begin offering $2,500 rebates to owners of the Chevrolet Volt, an electric hybrid car.

The rebate program in Tennessee is now only open to people who buy the all-electric Nissan LEAF.

Car owners who chose to participate in the program must agree to allow data about how they use and charge their vehicles to be collected for a government-funded study. The information is being gathered by the California-based ECOtality. The company received a $99 million stimulus grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

The state added $2.5 million in matching grant money for the rebates.

]]> Solar opportunities are focus of next Technical Society meeting - News tag:www.gogreenet.com,2012:/news//2.213 2012-01-31T13:52:47Z 2012-01-31T14:02:47Z

The Technical Society of Knoxville will focus on solar at its next meeting, 11:30 a.m. Monday, February 6 at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Knoxville.Steve Levy will present "Solar Photovoltaic Opportunities and Case Studies for the TVA Region." Levy is...

Shelley Phillips http://www.gogreenet.com/

Steve Levy will present "Solar Photovoltaic Opportunities and Case Studies for the TVA Region." Levy is technical director of the Tennessee Solar Energy Association and has 35 years of experience in electric power generation.

Professional Development credit is available for this event. For information call 865-690-0705.

]]> Knoxville's curbside recycling program fills up - News tag:www.gogreenet.com,2012:/news//2.212 2012-01-24T13:31:18Z 2012-01-24T14:19:22Z

The city of Knoxville reports it reached the goal, and current limit, of 20,000 signups for its new curbside recycling program in December.The program has been active for less than a year."We are very pleased with the response of our...

Shelley Phillips http://www.gogreenet.com/ The city of Knoxville reports it reached the goal, and current limit, of 20,000 signups for its new curbside recycling program in December.

The program has been active for less than a year.

"We are very pleased with the response of our citizens to this program," says David Brace, the city's director of public service. "With 20,000 sign-ups, that means that one-third of the City's households are participating."

Since the first of October, initial participating households hvae recycled more than 1,200 tons of waste, said John Homa, city solid waste manager.

Several thousand more carts will be delivered in February to those who signed up after the initial August 14 deadline.

]]> With the 20,000 goal reached, enrollment in the program is closed for now, but program officials hope to expand it in the future.

Interested residents should sign up on the city's waiting list. In addition to gauging interest in the program, residents on the wait list will be added if current customers drop out of the program or if additional funds are approved by city officials.

For those not in the curbside program, the city operates 10 recycling centers where residents may drop off items.

City recycling drop off supercenters:

NORTH

Kroger at I-640 Plaza - 4440 Western Ave. at Clinton

Goodwill at Metler - 820 Metler Dr

SOUTH

Goodwill at W. Moody Ave. - 225 W. Moody Ave

EAST

Goodwill at Chilhowee Park - 210 Alice St.

WEST

Kroger at Bearden Knox Plaza - 4918 Kingston Pike

Goodwill at Cedar Bluff - 341 Parkvillage Road

DOWNTOWN

Downtown Recycling Center - 400 State St.

Solid Waste Management Facility Transfer Station - 1033 Elm St.

For more information on the dropoff centers visit the City of Knoxville's Recycling page.

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