How to Get Started With Recycling

This is such a simple, easy reference to recycling by Greenprofs, we thought it worth forwarding to you in it’s original form.  Enjoy!

Recycling helps to save forests from depleting, increases the quality of our water and stimulates the economy. For those reasons and many more it is important that everyone does what they can to ensure that they are doing their bit for mother earth. Following is an explanation of how you can get started with recycling and give something back as well as improve your quality of your life and the quality of life for your children and your children’s children. Many people say that they don’t do their bit towards recycling because their effort on their own is not enough to make a difference, however this is simply not true. If everyone had that attitude, where would be?

Organize Your Waste

Rather than sticking your rubbish into one central place, it is important that you categorize waste in order to recycle it. You should place glass in one place, tins/cans in one place, plastics in one place, compost in one place and have another place for cardboard and paper/newspaper.

Find out about Recycling Facilities Where you Live

You should find out about the facilities available in your county. Depending on where you live, you may find it is harder or easier to recycle your waste. Some places will have a dedicated pick-up to come and take your waste away, while other areas will require that you drive a substantial distance in order to drop it off. Either way, it is important that you do your bit for society.

Recycling Tins/Cans

When recycling tins and cans you should firstly remove all the paper from the outside and try to flatten any sharp edges to limit any risk of you being cut. You should then place all tins and cans in a dedicated waste bin.

Plastic

Plastic wrappings and other plastic items should be treated with caution when recycling them. It is best if you take measures to stop any animals being hurt from plastic items. This includes breaking open drinks-cans rings so that an animal cannot get their head trapped in it, as well as ripping open plastic bags so they are just in the form of a single sheet.

Compost

Compost should be used to enrich your soil in your garden. Many people have a compost heap in their garden. Once you have left the compost for a period of a few weeks, it is now ready to treat the soil in your garden. If you do not have a large garden then you could consider asking your neighbors, friends and family members if they could make use of it.

Paper/Newspaper

Paper and newspaper is generally the easiest item to recycle because it is the most sought after item. After you read your old newspapers and magazines you should place them inside a dedicated container so that they can later be recycled. You should be especially careful not to place any other items into this container as it will cause problems for the recycler later on.

Nevada Clean Energy Thrives

By JOHN G. EDWARDS
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

Nevada’s clean-energy economy grew even faster than other sectors between 1998 and 2007, according to a study by The Pew Charitable Trusts. During that period, Nevada’s clean-energy industries increased employment by 28.8 percent to 3,641 jobs, compared to 26.5 percent for all jobs in the state. The clean-energy sector showed 9.1 percent job growth nationally, which was faster than the overall 3.7 percent job growth, according to a recent 59-page report on the clean-energy economy.

“That 28 percent growth rate is not insignificant. I think the sky is the limit,” said Dan Geary, Nevada spokesman for the Pew Environmental Group. “The West is going to continue to grow and to need more and more power.” Nevada benefits from some of the nation’s best solar energy and geothermal energy, he said. Geothermal energy comes from hot underground water and steam. “It’s good news for Nevada that kind of job growth has occurred without any kind of substantial public policy,” said Charles Benjamin, director of the Nevada office of Western Resource Advocates, a conservation group.

Nevada requires NV Energy to obtain increasing amounts of their power from renewable resources, such as solar and wind power, and provides tax incentives to build utility-scale solar power plants. However, “a lot of these more aggressive incentives occurred this legislative session, and this study doesn’t cover the effect of that,” Benjamin said. The clean-energy economy, as defined by the Pew report, consists of clean energy, such as renewable power; energy efficiency; environmentally friendly production; conservation and pollution mitigation; and training and support.

The first category includes projects such as Boulder City’s Nevada Solar One, a 64-megawatt, solar thermal power plant that provides power to NV Energy; a 14-megawatt array of solar panels at Nellis Air Force Base; Sempra Generation’s planned 48-megawatt addition to 10 megawatts of solar panels at Boulder City; and numerous geothermal power plants in Northern Nevada. The clean-energy economy also encompasses Power Efficiency Corp., which employs about 20 workers in Las Vegas in manufacturing systems for improving the efficiency of electric motors for elevators, rock crushing and construction conveyor belts. However, the clean-energy sector remains relatively small nationally, particularly in Nevada. Clean-energy jobs represent 0.28 percent of the 1.28 million jobs in Nevada, the smallest percentage of any state except Mississippi. Nationally, the sector accounts for 0.49 percent of jobs. “It remains to be seen” whether clean energy can become a significant economic driver in Nevada, Benjamin said.

Keith Schwer, director of the Center of Business and Economic Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, said he had not had an opportunity to review the report but agreed with Benjamin. “Can we build an economy to take advantage of the apparent advantages that we have?” Schwer asked. “That’s a great question for us, and we don’t know (the answer).” Like the first transcontinental railroad and the first manned flight to the moon, the development of Nevada’s clean-energy economy looks inevitable but needs a government boost, Geary said. “All of these things require comprehensive federal goals and policies,” he said. Benjamin said, “There’s virtually an unlimited amount of work that can be done to our homes and offices to have more efficiency.”

In addition, Nevada may benefit from the growing demand for renewable power in California, Benjamin said, because it is easier to obtain permits for renewable energy plants in Nevada.

Contact reporter John G. Edwards at jedwards@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0420.

Northern Nevada’s Newest “Urban Turbine” Celebrated

On Thursday, January 29th, a progressive collaboration of local companies will begin energy production from the first urban wind turbine in downtown Reno, Nevada.

The Renewable Energy Accelerator at 250 Bell (REA250) is a collaborative union of Nevada based companies, founded by Cathexes Architecture, Dynamic Competence, Great Basin Wind, and the Clean Energy Center. New affiliates include Bombard Renewable Energy, Proteros Development, Renewable Nevada, Sierra Club, Education Design Group, Bootleg Courier, The Universe Is Breathing Web Design, the Reno Bike Project, and Smartbrand…with the list expanding every day.

REA250 co-founder and principle of Cathexes, Don Clark, states “we invested downtown because urban infill is the first effective action you can take in sustainable design and living.”

“This allows us to lead by example; we bring our ideas and industries into healthy collaboration,” states project coordinator, Eric Pfaff, of the Clean Energy Center. “It’s been a joy to be able to walk your talk when all of the involved parties are doing so as well.”

“Our success in raising this turbine is the result of forward-looking political leadership on both the state and local levels. Our nation needs more leaders like those we have here in Nevada,” notes Rich Hamilton of Great Basin Wind and co-founder of the REA250.  Great Basin Wind is coordinating with the Clean Energy Center in installing the turbine. “With time, the wind known as the Washoe Zephyr will not only meet much of Nevada’s energy needs, it will be an inexhaustible source of energy for export.  We will be mining megawatts to build the new energy economy.”

Chris Brooks of Bombard Renewable Energy adds, “This project is a perfect example of a successful partnership between NV Energy, Nevada Labor, and forward-thinking local business owners.” Bombard Renewable Energy provided the electrical expertise required for the turbine’s installation and operation.

While other small wind turbines have been installed in the region, REA250’s efforts are unique because of the location – directly in the heart of the urban business district.  One of the group’s efforts is focused on retrofitting urban centers for renewable power generation.

“The raising of our wind turbine is an important step for REA250 to engage the public in planning renewable energy for Nevada. We look forward to more educational and outreach programs associated with renewable energy,” says Susan Clark of Dynamic Competence and co-founder of REA250.

Reno Mayor Bob Cashell will activate the wind turbine on Thursday, January 29th at 2:30pm to officially begin sustainable energy production provided by the wind turbine.  Several other local officials and dignitaries are also scheduled to attend.

The media is invited to meet and interview participants and attendees of the event immediately following the ceremonies.

Sempra Generation, a subsidiary of San Diego-based Sempra Energy, recently announced the completion of the company’s first solar energy project, a 10-megawatt photovoltaic power-generation facility in Boulder City’s Eldorado Valley. The company called it the largest operational thin-film, solar-power project in North America.

The El Dorado Energy Solar project, located adjacent to the company’s existing 480-megawatt, gas-fired El Dorado Energy power plant, involved the installation of more than 167,000 solar modules on 80 acres of leased desert property designated as part of Boulder City’s energy zone. Sempra Generation also announced it has entered into a 20-year power purchase agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric, the utility serving northern and central California, for the new project’s entire output.

Sustainable Workshop for Businesses – Save Energy, Save Money

Energy Workshop and Networking Event
Join Project ecoBrand for our first event in a series of monthly workshops and networking events focused on sustainability to help businesses “green up” their operations.

Event Details
Time: December 5, 2008 from 8am to 9:30am
Location: NV Energy – Wengert Room
Street: 6226 W. Sahara Ave.
City/Town: Las Vegas
Website or Map: http://www.projectecobrand.com
Contact Info: 702-556-8619
Event Type: Energy Efficiency, Workshop, Networking

Click here to RSVP

Save Energy, Save Money
Saving on your energy bills is an excellent way to cut unneccessary expenses, give you more money for other business needs, and boost your profits.

It’s easy to do. Whether you own or rent. There are many no cost/low cost things you can do yourself. With the practical tips offered in this workshop, you may be able to cut your energy costs substantially – and also improve comfort and productivity.

We’ve partnered with NV Energy for a breakfast workshop focused on ways businesses can save energy and reduce costs. Topics include:
:: Energy Saving Tips
:: Rebates & Incentives
:: Energy Efficiency & Conservation Solutions
:: Renewable Energy Solutions

Networking opportunties and continental breakfast will be provided!

Meet other eco-conscious professionals and business owners. We hope to see you there.

Does your company provide energy efficient and green products or services?
Sponsorship opportunities available starting at $50. Click here for details on Project ecoBrand online and event marketing packages. Please contact Tara at 702-556-8619 or tara@smartbrand.biz for more information.