Cradle to Cradle Chapter 3 Eco Effectiveness

This chapter starts into the mildly confusing rant about what is good and what is just “less bad”. They use the example of the book that is made the old way and the new one made from recycled material and soy based ink. Then the question is posed: is the new way really “good” or better?The problem they see is that the new book used a chemical covering, which “isnt’ recyclable with the rest of the book” and that the paper has about “reached the limits of further use” since the paper has been recycled again. It’s inherently not that great since it used trees to begin with.

They revisit this idea in later chapters when discussing, is being a vegetarian really that “good” if you eat vegetables that use chemicals and are transported long distances. It’s really just “less bad”.

At any rate, we then are introduced to book three, “the book of the future”, one that is durable enough to last for generations and the whole book can be recycled (and no tress were harmed in the making of it).

Their main point is that things should be “upcycled” it should be continually used and biodegrade if neccesary (or reused for a differant purpose). We have to consider that the stuff must either be used forever or be able to return back to the earth.

Further, the products themselves can use reworking but the factories and systems, which deliver them to consumers should also work together with the environment to provide a pleasurable experience for employees, who will then do more valuable work and the surviving eco system will not be harmed.

It’s hard to sum up this chapter completely, the authors cover so much and give so many great examples but all I can say is this:

Ants “represent a larger biomass than humans on earth”. Yet, they use the earth contribute to it, make it better, while at the same time thriving off of it. Ants live everywhere. We are no ants, but this chapter makes me think we should adopt the principles of the ants. The principles of contributing to the well-being of the earth while thriving off it.

 

Airbus Green Manufacturing Efforts

According to AIN Online, in an effort to continue the life of airplane parts and materials after the planes have been retired, the Airbus company has made a commitment to ensuring that 85% of airplane parts are reused in some way.

Previously, a maximum of 65% was reused and the rest “destroyed” but  the French research project PAMELA (process for advanced management of end-of-life aircraft) has realized that 20% more can actually be recycled.

Airbus

“is now looking for ways to encourage the establishment of dismantling companies around the world…Of course, the more metal that can be extracted from the carcass for recycling, the more profitable will be the dismantling process, and advanced sorting of the metals at the source makes them more valuable than mixed metals.”

 

They explain in detail the process of first decommissioning the plane, removing the engine and turbines and such, followed by the final dismantling phase.

“Aware that some 1,200 Airbuses will be retired in the next 20 years, Airbus management has made planet-friendly aircraft dismantling part of the consortium’s general environmental policy.”

PAMELA also requests that the Airbus designers take into consideration this process in the first place to avoid later recycling efforts.

 

Manufacture Blog Traffic

This is a little off topic but I have been spending most of my day today coming up with ways to promote this blog and Green Collar Economy and I’ve been working on a couple channels in which to do it and maybe it will help your business promote your site as well.

The first is through a Squidoo Lens, which instructed me to blog about my lens so I am following their instructions. You can check out the lens at http://www.squidoo.com/greencollareconomy, where I’ve posted some of my favorite books, a video by Van Jones, and other notes. All part of the squidoo process, but it does give a good idea of what we are trying to do and offer another channel to reach out to someone.

I’ll be back today for sure to talk real Green Manufacturing and how it is Revitalizing America’s Manufacturing Base.

Thanks for your time.

 

SMART Paper Greens their Manufacturing to the Max

 

To the max meaning 100% fossil fuel free. To the max meaning 100% renewable energy. To the max meaning fully energy independant. The $30 million dollar Co-Generation power plant will help the 115 year old paper manufacturer set a standard in paper production and continue to hold it place in the top realm of paper manufacturers and suppliers.

They are doing it to get ahead of the “volital energy” market and “carbon caps” that are expected to come in the near future.

“The $30 million investment and drive to achieve full carbon neutrality at SMART Papers comes as the State of Ohio and the U.S. government develop new laws and regulations on carbon emissions. The Ohio Senate and House recently passed legislation, which requires that up to 12.5 percent of the state’s electricity consumption come from renewable sources by 2025. Under the law, half of that must be generated within Ohio. “

“SMART Papers officials said they are well positioned to play an important role in helping the State of Ohio meet its goal because the company will sell a significant amount of power on the electrical grid. By the end of 2010, all of the power supplied to the regional grid will be carbon neutral—providing a source of 100% “green” energy for businesses and homes throughout Ohio and the Midwest U.S.”

This manufacturer is actually positioning itself to sell its energy into the grid.

 

Billionaire With a Windy Dream

Get your turbine engines revving in Texas because thanks to T. Boone “T BONE” Pickens, the largest wind farm in America will be built in the Lone Star State’s Panhandle. The project run by his company, Mesa Power should create plenty of new jobs and also could create enough energy to power a million homes.

Who would have guessed that a Billionaire Texas Oil Tycoon would commit to generating power through a renewable source? I guess selling oil at high prices has made him enough money to fund such a project that will save him from going out of business.

The manufacturing process that will ensue because of this endeavor will be huge considering the size of industrial strength wind turbines, but the reward is power for as long as the wind blows and a break to

 

 

Candidates Have Green Ideas, But Work Is Being Done Now

Hundreds of millions of dollars have been raised in campaign funds this election cycle just as there is every four years. Also, hundreds of millions of dollars have been promised to promote green industry by the very candidates who are raising the money.

Obama and Hillary have interesting plans and I choose to take them lightly because pre-inauguration ideas might be different once someone is in office. To his credit John McCain hasn’t made big promises to the extent that the Democrats have but then again he doesn’t have as much of a responsibility to the working middle class who like hearing about expansive job creation, such as in the green manufacturing area.

But, I read a quote today that tells a lot about the American people. It really brings home the point that there’s no time like the present and people can make change in their communities and have it resonate throughout the country:

Lane County businesses — spurred by state and local incentives — have got the ball rolling…’Politicians are lagging a little behind, if anything,” Brex said. “We’re not waiting for politicians to get their act together. We’re making it happen now.’

 

 

Green Collar Manufacturing in Critical State of Transition

The concept of Green Collar Manufacturing is in a state of transition right now. It’s not quite fully accepted in some areas but there is tremendous room for growth. In some cases there are shortages in engineering jobs and at the same time the job market is hurting. We see so much good in green practices and most people would agree that we can make changes in the way we do business.

 

The changes are difficult, new, and sometimes confusing. And they also usually cost more. Realizing a return on investment is becoming easier and quicker as conventional energy prices go up. Renewables allow us to reduce our impact on the earth and create our own infinite energy supply. There is money to be made here and that’s what we are promoting every day here at Green Collar Media.

 

Most people won’t make a lifestyle change unless it is painless and affordable. With so many options and things do get done in normal business activity, it’s no wonder converting to green solutions is pushed aside for later. There are more important things to tend to sometimes.

 

It’s this page along with http://www.greencollareconomy.com that can publicize our message:

 

Taking advantage of our previous oversights can strengthen our economy. This can be done by taking green business practices into consideration, finding knowledgeable staff, implementing a plan of attack, and changing the way we use energy and resources.

 

Sign up for a username at GreenCollarEconomy.com > add your thoughts to our community forums and list your business in our directory. Be a part of a site for the first generation of green collar professionals.

 

Solar Certification Program at California College Recieves Funding

I don’t know if Sierra College is an engineering school but if not, adding a solar certification program to their curriculum is a bold move. The school is in California and the government initiatives there have been notoriously bold themselves, demanding 1 million households use solar. Is California at a greater benefit for using solar because they have sunshine most of the year? Massachusetts often has cloudy streaks, does that mean that the ROI is longer. Even if it took 15-17 years instead of 8-10 that’s a tough call, but it would still create your own personal energy source.

Where are the solar panels in Massachusetts? I would like to see a website with a solar spotter that can give me an overview of the solar density in a given area. Then, someone else would come out the general renewable energy usage map and we could really see the areas where renewable thrives. Is your community or business using alternative energy? Where are you?

 

100% Used Vegetable Oil in Manufacturing Process

          Fibermark of Vermont has just announced they will use 100% vegetable oil in their manufacturing process according to a press release on Graphic Arts Online.

“Switching to used vegetable oil now allows the company to reduce its use of number six fuel oil and to significantly eliminate toxic sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions”

          While no financials appear on the Graphic Arts site, subsituting with used vegetable oil should reduce their energy costs. In addition, they add this progress to their long list of green certified accolades, including the complete reusal of their waste water sludge for land fill. Another company benefiting from reducing waste and capitalizing on new technology and high oil prices.

 

Maine Announces Winner of Carbon Counting Contest

                  National Semi Conductor Greenest in Maine:

In a recent announcement National Semiconductor of received the commendable title of “Largest Maine Carbon Cutter” for reducing 43,700 metric tons since 2000. Design Taxi.com reported this story on their website. Just want to point out a couple things from the article that refers back to green manufacturing.  Water related heating and cooling processes were keys to the drop in emissions

                  They improved:

“Efficiencies in the heating of deionized water, reducing set-point temperatures for water heating and converting the energy of incoming cold water from a local lake to allow free cooling of manufacturing equipment.”

                  Water is increasingly scarce in large, populated states like Georgia, Texas, and California.  National is showing a way to use of water in a resourceful way. Their lead could inspire more innovated water saving practices in drier regions.