MantraMeds Innovative Sustainable Healthcare Apparel Blog

Measuring the Physiological Comfort of Bandages

Thu, 05 May 2011 13:36:00 -0500

In order to be included in the Medical Service’s Medical Aids Directory, bandages and orthotic pads must comply, among other things, with minimum requirements for the physiological comfort of the wearer. The same applies to compression stockings and other medical textile products which are to display the “Physiological comfort mark” and the quality label issued by the Hohenstein Institute in Bönnigheim.

The critical factors for physiological comfort (i.e. the microclimate between the skin and the textile) are mainly the thermal insulation properties of the materials used and their ability to transport perspiration. When the product is in use, these two properties are often greatly affected by the material stretching as the body moves. This is why, in future, before testing the physiological comfort of bandages or compression stockings, the Hohenstein Institute will first calculate the actual (practical) stretching to which the article is subjected in use.

The same measuring process is used as when the compression characteristics (pressure and pressure patterns) are worked out in order to attain and retain approval for the Medical Aids Directory, in accordance with the RAL Quality Certification Mark 387 (RAL-GZ 387). During subsequent measuring of resistance to heat and water vapor permeability, in order to calculate the thermal insulation and breathability characteristics, the materials are subjected to that degree of stretching. This means that regardless of the type of fiber or the structure of the fabric, the test results are comparable and reproducible at any time, and these contribute to the physiological comfort mark of from 1 (very good) to 4 (adequate).

See story http://specialtyfabricsreview.com/articles/050411_bandage_comfort.html

Practice Greenhealth Members Named “Green” Power Purchasing Leaders

Thu, 05 May 2011 13:23:00 -0500

RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced current top 50 list of the country's leading purchasers of "green" power – solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and small-scale hydroelectric. The listing is compiled from members of the EPA’s Green Power Partnership, which works with a variety of organizations, from Fortune 500 companies to local, state and federal governments, and a growing number of colleges and universities.

“We are delighted to see these Practice Greenhealth member companies identified by the EPA for their dedication to reducing their environmental impact”

These rankings, which are updated on a quarterly schedule, include three Practice Greenhealth member companies: Johnson & Johnson (at #7), BD (at #19), and Kimberly Clark (at #22).

These green power purchases help reduce the environmental impacts of electricity use and support the development of new renewable generation capacity nationwide. Purchase amounts reflect U.S. operations only and are sourced from U.S.-based green power resources. Organizations can meet EPA purchase requirements using any combination of three different product options: (1) Renewable Energy Certificates, (2) on-site generation, and (3) utility green power products.

“We are delighted to see these Practice Greenhealth member companies identified by the EPA for their dedication to reducing their environmental impact,” said Anna Gilmore Hall, Executive Director of Practice Greenhealth. “Their accomplishments exemplify those of our business members, who are committed to the highest standards of sustainability in product development, manufacturing, distribution, and life-cycle. A manufacturer’s commitment to social and environmental responsibility is driving a growing number of purchasing decisions within healthcare.”

About Practice Greenhealth

Practice Greenhealth is the nation’s leading membership and networking organization for institutions in the healthcare community that have made a commitment to sustainable, eco-friendly practices. Members include hospitals, healthcare systems, businesses and other stakeholders engaged in the greening of healthcare to improve the health of patients, staff and the environment. For more information on Practice Greenhealth, visit www.practicegreenhealth.org

Contacts

Practice Greenhealth
Mary Lisi, 888-379-6664
mlisi@practicegreenhealth.org

See story http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110505006108/en/Practice-Greenhealth-members-named-%E2%80%9Cgreen%E2%80%9D-power-purchasing

Environmental Cleaning for Hospitals

Thu, 05 May 2011 13:21:00 -0500

By Stephanie Rogers

Environmental cleaning for hospitals

Although most hospitals have made strong efforts to control the spread of the disease, transmission of drug-resistant bacteria is still common and associated with severe health risks.

By Stephanie Rogers

(iStock)

'Environmental cleaning for hospitals' might sound like a green, non-toxic cleaning method that uses natural products to disinfect surfaces in medical facilities, but it's actually a crucial cleaning protocol that can help prevent the spread of healthcare-acquired pathogens (HAP), particularly drug-resistant disease like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

A 2009 study by researchers at the University of California at Irvine found that rigorous environmental cleaning for hospitals can reduce the transmission of these antibiotic-resistant organisms to patients exposed to rooms in which the prior occupant had been colonized or infected with the bacteria. MRSA is highly infectious and cannot by treated with methicillin, which is the antibiotic of choice for most other forms of Staphylococcus.

Bacteria infections

Although most hospitals have made strong efforts to control the spread of the disease, transmission of MRSA is still common and associated with severe health risks; infections can include bacteremia, pneumonia or soft tissue abscesses and are associated with high mortality rates.

The bacteria can infect patients in hospitals when they enter the body through a cut, sore, catheter or breathing tube. Patients with weak immune systems are particularly at risk. Another drug-resistant infection, vancomycin-resistant enterococci(VRE), is less common but can also be fatal.

In addition to careful personal hygiene by patients, visitors and especially medical staff, environmental cleaning for hospitals can significantly reduce a patient's chance of infection with healthcare-acquired pathogens. The environmental cleaning method that has been proven to reduce the spread of HAP consists of three important changes to cleaning policies at hospitals:

Environmental services staff at the hospital are educated on the importance of repeated bucket immersion while cleaning.
Rather than applying disinfectant directly to cleaning cloths, hospital cleaning staff are instructed to immerse the cloths in a bucket of disinfectant.
Third, the effectiveness of the staff's cleaning routines is tested using black-light markers.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), disinfectants approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that specify effectiveness against Staphylococcus aureus can be used to control the spread of MRSA, provided that hospital staff follow instructions on the label including how long the cleaner should be in contact with the surface. The CDC notes that cleaning should be focused on those surfaces that come into contact with bare skin. Large surfaces such as walls and floors do not seem to play a role in HAP infections.

Implementing eco-friendly cleanining

Some medical facilities have chosen to implement green cleaning programs, which intend to protect public health by supporting infection control while also protecting patients, workers and the environment from toxic chemicals used in traditional cleaning products. Can hospitals with green cleaning programs still use disinfectants to control the spread of HAP, or is there a green alternative to these products?

Green cleaning expert Stephen Ashkin of The Ashkin Group, a consulting firm that specializes in helping contractors and building owners “green” the cleaning process, recommends choosing a standard EPA-approved disinfectant (PDF) in a more concentrated formula to reduce packaging. He also notes that some of these disinfectants have lower levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making them less harmful to the environment and human health.

In fact, the eco-friendly healthcare organization Practice Greenhealth notes that because all disinfectants are intentionally toxic to microorganisms, none can be accurately called “green” – but that doesn't mean environmental cleaning for hospitals can't be both eco-friendly and effective against infectious bacteria. Practice Greenhealth asserts that green cleaning is not just about the products that are used, but the implementation of high-performance cleaning processes including standardized operations, staff training, protective equipment and clearly written policies and protocols for various levels of cleaning and response to the spills of bodily fluids.

Got more thoughts on environmental cleaning for hospitals? Leave us a note in the comments below.

See story http://www.mnn.com/health/healthy-spaces/stories/environmental-cleaning-for-hospitals

Scripps Green Hospital Ranks Among Nation’s Top Teaching Hospitals

Thu, 05 May 2011 13:18:00 -0500

Green only hospital in San Diego County to make Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals List

San Diego – Scripps Green Hospital has been named one of the nation’s top teaching hospitals. It was the only hospital in San Diego County to make the 100 Top Hospitals list compiled by Thomson Reuters, a leading provider of information and solutions to improve the cost and quality of health care. This is the fourth time Scripps Green has been on the list.

Earlier this week, Scripps Green Hospital, Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla and Scripps Mercy Hospital were recognized for high performance in 11 specialties in the inaugural edition of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals metro area rankings. These recognitions were in addition to the national ranking for heart and heart surgery for Scripps Green and Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla by U.S. News & World Report for 2010-11, which was announced in July 2010.

Scripps Green Hospital has served the La Jolla and greater San Diego communities with distinction since 1977, offering a variety of medical “firsts” – including San Diego’s first liver transplant program and one of the nation’s first hospitals to provide stem cell transplants. In 2009, the Graduate Medical Education Program, a partnership between Scripps Green Hospital and Scripps Clinic, received a five-year accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

“Our graduate medical education program is based on a solid foundation of patient-focused care and research,” said Robin Brown, chief executive at Scripps Green Hospital. “This prestigious distinction underscores that commitment to excellence and serving the health care needs of San Diego.”

The Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals® study evaluates performance in 10 areas: mortality; medical complications; patient safety; average patient stay; expenses; profitability; patient satisfaction; adherence to clinical standards of care; post-discharge mortality; and readmission rates for acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), heart failure and pneumonia.

To conduct the 100 Top Hospitals study, Thomson Reuters researchers evaluated 2,914 short-term, acute care, non-federal hospitals. They used public information – Medicare cost reports, Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MedPAR) data, and core measures and patient satisfaction data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Compare Web site.

“This year’s 100 Top Hospitals award winners have delivered exemplary results, despite volatility from healthcare reform,” said Jean Chenoweth, senior vice president at Thomson Reuters. “The leadership teams at these organizations have dealt with enormous ambiguity, yet remained focused on mission and excellence across the hospital which drove national benchmarks to new highs.”

More information on the study and other 100 Top Hospitals research is available at www.100tophospitals.com.

Learn more about Scripps Health, a nonprofit health system in San Diego, Calif.

See story http://www.scripps.org/news_items/3884-scripps-green-hospital-ranks-among-nations-top-teaching-hospitals

RHS Earns Top Status for Following Green Practices

Wed, 04 May 2011 17:27:00 -0500

by CHRIS GRAY
Observer Staff Writer

Although the Romeo Bullldogs are red and white, they don't turn a blind eye to green practices.

       Romeo High School, thanks to the Students Enriching Romeo through Volunteer Experience (SERVE) program, has achieved the top ranking as a Michigan Green School for 2010-11.
       The Michigan Green Schools Program, which is now in its third academic year, was started by a group of students at Hartland High School. The program allows counties to award the green status to schools that meet between 10 to 20 requirements.
       The minimum is the "green" status by achieving 10 requirements, but schools can aim higher by meeting 15 for "emerald" and the maximum of 20 for "evergreen."
       Kelly Carson, SERVE coordinator, worked on the application on behalf of the school. She said she originally applied for the green status, so she was surprised to find out that the school had achieved the top status of evergreen.
       "I thought I applied for the minimum status because I turned in what I thought was 12 points, but apparently they picked it apart and found enough to give us the highest status," she said.
       A total of 105 schools submitted applications by the March 1 deadline this year, with 101 achieving the official green school status. Of them, 32 earned the emerald status while 36 earned evergreen.
       Each school's achievements were honored during a ceremony held April 11 at the Macomb Intermediate School District. A flag and a patch displaying the school's status were given to the school.
       "The board is pleased to see this program grow each year," said Macomb County Board of Commissioners Chairperson Kathy Vosburg.
       Carson said the initial step in applying was to start a paper recycling program, where a large bin in the parking lot is designated for collecting papers. She said since it began in September the students have enjoyed participating.
       "The SERVE kids have, on an average about every two weeks, been collecting the recycling from around the school and taking it out to the bin," she said.
       The other popular initiative was cleaning the school's courtyard, where students are planting native Michigan plants as a garden project. She said once the weather becomes warmer the project will resume.
       "They were very excited to be able to work in the courtyard," she said. "I was just really surprised how many signed up."
       The solar panel program at the Romeo Engineering and Technology Center was also hilighted in the application.
       "Whatever kinds of projects they do with that program, we're going to be able to use for our green school status," she said.
       Other aspects of the school's application include re-using magazines and newspapers, recycling ink cartridge and cell phones and a visitation from a Cranbrook Institute of Science representative.
       The school even adopted a sea turtle, named "Bimini," as part of a program to help endangered species. Carson said money was deposited in six different cans representing six different species. The one with the most money was the one that was adopted.
       Future projects that are under development include plastic bottle recycling and others that could help produce energy savings.
       "We're off to a good start, but there is so much more we can do," she said. "We have the highest status, but we need to maintain it."
       The plan is to not only keep the high school going with its status, but to have other schools in the district follow the practices and apply for the status, said Carson, so that all students recognize the importance of being green.
       "We encourage (students) to carry the spirit of recycling and energy conservation into their own homes and their futures," she said. "It's definitely something that has to be done."
       Carter Middle School in Warren was named the top school in Macomb County for this year's program.

See story http://www.romeoobserver.com/story.asp?storyid=19479

Cute Hot Dogs Cut Heating Bills

Wed, 04 May 2011 17:04:00 -0500

Michael Laing and Tess of PDSA in Sunderland who have won an award for green energy.

By James Johnston
Published on Wednesday 20 April 2011 04:21

HOT dogs are helping slash heating bills at an animal hospital.

Body heat from the poorly pets and their owners is being channelled to help save energy costs from spiralling.

The sophisticated system at the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) PetAid hospital, in North Hylton Road, Castletown, utilises body heat and surplus energy from electrical equipment to power the building.

As well as helping to warm consulting rooms, offices and operating theatres, it also plays a part in heating the centre’s water supply.

Now the £1.6million hospital, which opened last year, has been honoured at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) North East Renaissance Awards, beating tough competition to win the sustainability category.

Newcastle-based Anthony Keith Architects incorporated the energy-efficient system into the design of the hospital, which means it does not need a traditional boiler.

A heat pump extracts warmth from the outside air, which is boosted by a second pump, captured body heat and solar panels.

A computerised management system then transfers heat to parts of the hospital where it is needed most.

“When it comes to body heat, the animals do help,” said architect Anthony Keith. “It all goes into the mix. We can move the heat around and water is also heated as is the floor, because animals lie on the floor.”

The Wearside hospital employs six vets, eight nurses, five receptionists, four veterinary care assistants and three animal care auxiliaries and treats animals whose owners are on benefits and can not afford to pay.

It includes a waiting room, six consulting rooms, two operating theatres, a dental suite and x-ray facilities.

The award judges singled it out for special praise.

“The PDSA Hospital building represents an evolution of design,” they said.

“Through the clever use of available technology, the building makes the most of heat generated by the users of the building to store and re-use energy, providing a sustainable source of hot water and warmth, and removing the need for a main energy supply to the building.”

Two other Sunderland-based projects were recognised among the region’s top developments at this year’s RICS North East Renaissance Awards, which were presented at Newcastle Civic Centre.

Transforming Hendon took the top prize in the Regeneration category, while the £7million refurbishment of Sunderland Station was highly commended in the Design and Innovation category.

See story http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/local/hot_dogs_cut_heating_bills_1_3304740

Patagonia: The Power Of Brand Transparency

Wed, 04 May 2011 14:10:00 -0500

By Simon Mainwaring

I had the real pleasure of visiting Patagonia HQ in Ventura, California. It's a brand that I, and many others, have admired for so long because of the powerful alignment between their core values and how they run their business and make their products. To better understand how they achieve this, I asked Rick Ridgeway, the VP for Environmental initiatives to walk us through their process.

SM: Hi, I'm Simon Mainwaring and I'm here at Patagonia HQ in Ventura, California. I have the great privilege of being here with Rick Ridgeway, who is the VP for Environmental Initiatives. I wanted to talk to him about a program that I find so exciting because it reinvents the relationship between brands and customers. It's called the Footprint Chronicles. Rick, thanks for your time. Tell us, what is the Footprint Chronicles?

RR: Well firstly, Footprint Chronicles had its origins in our need to figure out how better to communicate our sustainability efforts to our customers. We didn't just want to make an annual standard CSR report. It just didn't feel like us. So we were trying to figure out what we could do, when we had this idea to go into our supply chain and make videos that a customer could see when they come into our website and find out what the real origins were of their jacket or T-shirt, going all the way back to the farm where the cotton was grown and ending up at the warehouse where the product finally ends up. They can see slideshows, videos and interviews of the people behind the product. But more importantly, these slides, videos and interviews discuss what is good about the product and what sucks. It's the good and the bad. It's total transparency. That's what the Footprint Chronicles is.

SM: So walk us through the process.

RR: Sure. Take this jacket for example. If you go onto the website and see this jacket you are interested in buying, click on the jacket. From there, you'll be able to follow the origin of the product all the way from the beginning in California, where our design department and our headquartersdesign the product. You can hear the designers tell you about their choices, like in the fabric. For this jacket, they wanted to have a fabric that was made out of recycled polyester to reduce the footprint of the jacket. They also wanted a fabric that, when completely worn out, can be brought back to us for us to recycle. You can hear this story.

From there, you go around the world to Japan, where you're going to meet the factory where the polyester is made. You'll see how it is made from recycled water bottles which, again, reduce the footprint of the product. Once the polyester is made, it is woven into a fabric, which is shipped to a factory here in China, where it is constructed into the garment, which then goes on a ship and crosses the ocean over to here into our warehouse, where it is then dispersed across to the United States and ends up in your closet.

SM: So it's a well traveled garment even before you get to wear it.

RR: Right, so we'll tell you how cool it is that this is all made from water bottles. We'll be able to tell you that when it's all worn out you can bring it back for us to recycle. We'll tell you how it sucks to make this thing in China and ship it clear across the ocean. That's not so cool. What can we do better? So with every story you get to hear both the good and the bad.

SM: Why have you committed to such transparency, and what value have you seen that add to your brand in terms of the response of the customers?

RR: The answer to that question goes back to what our core values are. At Patagonia, it's to make the best product we can. It all starts with that. That's our pledge to you. But we're going to make that jacket with no unnecessary harm to the environment. We choose this wording because it implies that manufacturing is harmful, which we tell you in the Footprint Chronicles. Then, when all that is done, we are going to use our success as a company, which is predicated on your loyalty, to reduce our footprint as much as we can and take our success and give it back to the environment.

We find solutions to what we consider to be the environmental crises. That's why we're in business, and because that is our larger goal, we wanted to be as transparent as we could about everything we're doing that's both good and bad, because we are in business to make these clothes with no unnecessary harm. By being transparent with you, we can invite you into the conversation. On the Footprint Chronicles, there is a place to let us know what you think, or if you have any better ideas on how to make our products.

SM: So if people want to understand more and explore the Footprint Chronicles, where should they go?

RR: Patagonia.com Right on the homepage you'll see Footprint Chronicles.

SM: Patagonia has always been a leader in terms of the value they put into a product, but even more so in terms of the values they bring to a brand and the marketplace. Thank you so much for your time Rick. Much respect for what you're doing here.

Do you find such transparency and accountability from a brand affects your purchasing decision and loyalty? Should a brand be obligated to provide this?

See story @ http://www.fastcompany.com/1749656/patagonia-the-power-of-brand-transparency

Kimberly-Clark Professional Develops Holistic Approach to Environmental Sustainability of Trade Show

Wed, 04 May 2011 13:54:00 -0500

It's not easy being green, especially in the trade show business. Anyone who has attended a trade show - either as exhibitor or attendee - would likely agree that even just shipping a trade show booth halfway across the country creates a great deal of greenhouse gas emissions.

Add to that the shipping of ancillary materials, plane travel of trade show participants, energy usage for show activities and more, and the impact on the environment becomes apparent.

Savvy companies - in an effort to become more environmentally sustainable - are taking a close look at their trade show activities and adopting strategies to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases generated by those activities.

Case in point: Kimberly-Clark Professional. The supplier of products for commercial and institutional washrooms, "clean" and "industrial" manufacturing environments, healthcare facilities and DIY settings has created the most holistic approach to the environmental sustainability of trade show activities in its industry. Central to that approach is a new, environmentally responsible trade show booth and a carbon offsetting program with Carbonfund.org that reduces the company's trade show-related greenhouse gas emissions as well as those of trade show attendees who visit its booth.

Reduce Today, Respect Tomorrow
Kimberly-Clark Professional's sustainable trade show strategy is an integral part of its Reduce Today, Respect Tomorrow global environmental sustainability program. The program takes a big-picture approach to sustainability by seeking to reduce environmental impact at every stage of its business activities. This includes product design, manufacturing, distribution and use; sales/management activities and facilities; and now, trade show activities.

"We understand that the way we use resources today will shape the world of tomorrow," says Lisa Morden, global sustainability leader, Kimberly-Clark Professional. "This philosophy is reflected in how we look at the entire lifecycle of the products we make - from raw material sources through final product disposal. It's also reflected in how we conduct business - from obtaining LEED certification of our U.S. headquarters building to making our trade show activities more environmentally responsible."

Sustainable Booth Design
Exhibiting at approximately 60 trade shows across North America every year, Kimberly-Clark Professional had been using a booth initially created in 1997. The booth did a good job at adequately showcasing the company's full line of products, but according to Trade Show Manager Lori Bauer, it was heavy and expensive to use.

"Our old booth was made of heavy wood materials, resulting in high shipping and storage costs," she explains. "We wanted a lighter booth that would reduce shipping and storage costs as well as drayage and labor costs for assembly and disassembly."

The company turned to Expotechnik for help. A leading global exhibit house offering high-end custom rentals and turn-key services to customers on five continents, Expotechnik knew a lighter booth would also help Kimberly-Clark Professional align its trade show strategy with its environmental sustainability strategy.

"We consult with our clients to understand their needs and translate those needs into unique designs that are sustainable in terms of use, packaging, weight, transportation, life cycle, recyclability and the incorporation of A/V technology that reduces costly graphic production and printed materials," says Cliff Hutson, Expotechnik. "Through 40 years of R&D, we have perfected the design and functionality of our proprietary materials, resulting in significantly reduced costs as well as reduced environmental impact."

"Taking advantage of new booth construction techniques from Expotechnik gives us an opportunity to use materials that are lighter and more sustainable in nature, thus reducing our environmental impact," Bauer adds, noting that Expotechnik created a modular design concept that allows Kimberly-Clark Professional to set up both island and in-line exhibits with a range of sizes, depending on the specific show need.

Unveiled in July at the BOMA 2010 International Conference & Every Building Show in Long Beach, Calif., the booth configurations are comprised of approximately 90 percent post-consumer recycled, rented or re-used products. These materials are nearly 100 percent recyclable or re-usable, so that when the booth is no longer needed by Kimberly-Clark Professional, the materials can be re-used again. In fact, about 60 percent of the materials are directly re-usable, meaning they can be returned to inventory without expending energy to recreate or recycle them.

Some of the environmentally sustainable booth construction materials include:

Post-consumer recycled polyester fabric called Enviro Celtic. It meets FTC guidelines for recycled products. It is also recycled at the end of its life with a minimum of processing to create shredded poly-fill.
Aluminum framing and joining sleeves, which are re-used or, if damaged, recycled by standard aluminum recycling methods.
Wood panels made of Forest Stewardship Council-certified, formaldehyde-free plywood; low-VOC contact adhesive; water-based clear finishes; and Green Guard certified high-pressure laminates.
The carpet is rented, and thus re-used locally at each show, eliminating carbon emissions that would be incurred by transporting it to and from each show.
Mercury-free, lead-free LED lighting, which delivers high-output light with low power consumption and low voltage.
Energy Star-compliant monitors that reduce the company's reliance on costly printing and are recycled at the end of their life.

Offsetting Carbon Footprint of Booth Visitors
On the heels of unveiling its new environmentally sustainable trade show booth in July 2010, Kimberly-Clark Professional announced it would offset the carbon emissions associated with its trade show activities and the activities of customers visiting its booth. The carbon offsetting program started with its exhibits at the ISSA/INTERCLEAN Show and Greenbuild Conference in November 2010.

"Reducing our carbon footprint is one of the best ways that individuals and companies alike can lessen our impact on the Earth's climate and provide for a more sustainable future," Morden says.

To implement the carbon offsetting trade show program, Kimberly-Clark Professional and Expotechnik partnered with Carbonfund.org, the leading non-profit carbon reduction and climate solutions organization.

Kimberly-Clark Professional works with Carbonfund.org to calculate the carbon dioxide emissions generated by employee travel, shipping of the trade show booth and related materials, hotel stays, meals eaten, and booth electricity use.

Based on those calculations, Kimberly-Clark Professional will donate an equivalent amount of money to one of Carbonfund.org's reforestation carbon reduction projects. The Amazon Forest Conservation Project, for example, will protect up to millions of acres from slash-and-burn forest clearing and prevent tens of millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions. The project will also provide essential ecosystem services such as erosion control; water cycling, filtration and storage; nutrient recycling; and habitat for thousands of native Amazonian animal and plant species. Carbon offsets generated from these projects are then retired on behalf of Kimberly-Clark Professional.

Kimberly-Clark Professional also offsets the carbon dioxide emissions of the trade show attendees who visit its booth. Together with Carfonfund.org, Kimberly-Clark Professional will calculate the carbon dioxide emissions generated by attendees' roundtrip travel, meals eaten, hotel room stays and their share of the event's overall estimated energy usage. Attendees will be given the option of donating their carbon offsets to support one of Carbonfund.org's programs including reforestation, energy efficiency or renewable energy projects.

"A week after the ISSA/INTERCLEAN Show, we exhibited at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Chicago where there was a lot of excitement around what we were doing," Morden concludes, noting that the company offset more than 1.88 million pounds of greenhouse gases throughout the two November shows. "We made it clear to our customers, prospective customers and others that the Kimberly-Clark Professional brand is synonymous with environmental sustainability."

For more information on Kimberly-Clark Professional's environmental sustainability philosophy, visit www.kcpreducetoday.com/us.

See story @ http://www.exhibitoronline.com/news/enn-display.asp?counter=9938

Going Green - Enviro-Friendly Measures That Will Put Surrounding Schools to Shame

Tue, 03 May 2011 19:25:00 -0500

By David Galef

If one thing bothers the president of U of All People, it’s being caught behind the curve, whether it’s in technology, sports, or even pedagogy (though curiously not in teachers’ salaries). Given UAP’s humble start as a community ag school, this attitude is perfectly understandable, especially since the citizens from the neighboring towns of Glutch and Glim still refer to U of All People as Ditchwater High, from when the old high school was on this site.

It gives President Bachtrach great pleasure, therefore, to proclaim that, starting in fall 2011, the campus will embrace a host of enviro-friendly measures that will put surrounding schools to shame. “The only way that U Hoo will be able to compete with us,” Bachtrach recently announced, “is by turning green with envy” -- a line reprinted in the student newspaper, Vox Omni Populi, picked up by AP, and recently aired in a YouTube video devoted to Funny Things College Presidents Say. Of course, so far, all we have are a bunch of proposals, along with a measly nonrenewable grant from the Glutch Chamber of Commerce, but that hasn’t stopped us from brainstorming and wish-listing. Below are some directives from the Green Initiative Team, U of All People, or GIT, UAP:

No toilet paper in the public restrooms. Time to embrace the Third World not just with our hearts, but with our hands.

Recycle and reuse (almost) everything: white paper and plastic bottles -- yes. Answers from your roommate’s calculus test -- no. Recycling competitions and quotas: the Bachtrach Order of Merit to whoever can reuse 400 paperclips a week!

Heat recovery from hot air generated in lectures. If this doesn’t work, check with medical experts to make sure students can still concentrate and text with frozen fingers, then set thermostats to 32 degrees in winter.

Solar panels on all surfaces aimed at the sun, including the shining bald pates of certain faculty members. This will put U Hoo to shame, since they have only one dinky sun-powered traffic sign, powered by the aluminum foil wrappings left over from lunch.

Wind power stations at all available junctures, mainly in the breezeways between halls.

Automatic regulators that shut off heat and light in all rooms without movement for five minutes. Note: this may present a problem for professors who rarely stir during lectures and induce a similar immobility in the students.

Rip out the AC in the dorms and replace with ice cubes and folding fans.

Take all the stair machines, exercise bikes, treadmills, and rowing machines from the recreation center and put one in each classroom, designating a student in each to generate power for the lights.

Bike- or walk-to-school incentives, including the elimination of all parking lots. Get rid of all shuttle buses and replace them with pedicabs run by students who no longer have Exercycles to use at the recreation center.

Find a use for all the ditchwater that accumulates along the sides of Entrance Avenue after even minor rainstorms. We don’t still want to be known as Ditchwater High, do we?

David Galef is a professor of English and the creative writing program director at Montclair State University. He also writes dispatches from U of All People for Inside Higher Ed.

See story http://www.insidehighered.com/views/2011/04/29/galef_column_u_of_all_people_going_green

Make Sure to Check Out Our Organic and Recycled Polyester Scrub Store!

Tue, 03 May 2011 18:34:00 -0500

The most comfortable scrubs you will every wear thanks to our ring-spun organic cotton!

Hanna Scrub Top

List Price : $36.95
Your Price: $28.95 (buy now)

The Hanna scrub top is a fashionable scrub top with a square cut neckline and a modified empire waist. The wide tie back waistband creates a shapely look while the long body provides the coverage you need for performance and comfort.

Fabric made with 50% organic cotton and 50% recycled polyester fibers

Two inset deep cut side pockets

Wide fashionable tie back

Fashion forward square neck line

Made in U.S.A

Women’s: XS-XL

Fit Type: Regular

Available colors: Navy, Pink, Teal, Violet

Organic Cotton Production up 15% Despite Recession in 2009-10

Tue, 03 May 2011 14:56:00 -0500

Bolstered by continued strong manufacturer demand even during the recessionary times, organic cotton continued its steady growth in 2009-2010, according to a the fifth annual Organic Farm and Fiber report by Textile Exchange (“the Exchange”), the leading global organic cotton and sustainable textiles non-profit organization formerly known as Organic Exchange.

According to the Exchange’s Organic Cotton Farm and Fiber Report, production of organic cotton rose 15 percent from 209,950 metric tons (MT) in 2008-09 to 241,276 MT (1.1 million bales) grown on 461,000 hectares (1.14 million acres) in 2009-2010. Organic cotton now represents 1.1 percent of global cotton production. Global organic cotton has witnessed a veritable explosion (539 percent increase) in production in the last five years since 2005-06, when only 37,000 MT were produced. The organization anticipates similar strong growth in this year.

With the addition of Tajikistan, organic cotton was grown by approximately 274,000 farmers in 23 countries in 2009-2010 versus 22 countries in 2008-09. India remained the top producing nation in 2009-10 for the third straight year, growing over 80 percent of the organic cotton produced globally and increasing its production of the fiber by 37 percent over 2009-2010. Syria moves from third into second place, and Turkey fell from second to third place. The remaining countries in descending order are: China, United States, Tanzania, Uganda, Peru, Egypt, Mali, Pakistan, Burkina Faso, Israel, Benin, Paraguay, Greece, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Senegal, Nicaragua, South Africa, Brazil, and Zambia.

According to LaRhea Pepper, Textile Exchange senior director, “Manufacturers, retailers and consumers, and most importantly, farmers, all signaled their continued interest in supporting organic cotton production and the risks that came with it despite the recession.” “In addition,” she continued, “the strong growth is an indication of the work Textile Exchange is doing with brands and retailers that have strong strategic plans and engagement all the way to the farm.”

Liesl Truscott, Textile Exchange farm engagement director and the report’s lead author, notes that the organic sector cannot rest on its laurels despite the rapid growth in organic cotton production. “As organic cotton grows in volume, we must continue to strengthen integrity in production, certification, and processing,” she stated.

All 2008-2009 stocks of organic cotton have been purchased as has most of this current year’s crop. As such, “brands interested in nailing down their supply need to build organic cotton supply security into their planning strategies now, preferably by implementing forward contracts,” stressed Truscott.

According to the organization’s Organic Cotton Market Report 2010, global retail sales of organic cotton and home textile products topped 4.3 billion U.S. dollars in 2009. Data from the 2010 market will be available this spring.

Organic production is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers or genetically-modified seeds. Representatives from Textile Exchange will be speaking and exhibiting at the Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City, Utah on January 21, 2010.

Founded in 2002, Textile Exchange facilitates expansion of the global organic cotton and sustainable fiber supply and marketplace by working closely with the entire value chain, from farmers to retailers.

See story http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/association-news/organic-exchange/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=94742&page=1

Textile Exchange Opens Office in England

Tue, 03 May 2011 14:47:00 -0500

US-based Textile Exchange announced the opening of the new Textile Exchange Europe office in Bristol, UK. The new office will enable the organization to work more closely with the Europe-based companies driving much of the growth in the sustainable apparel and home textile marketplace.

Textile Exchange Europe will be managed by existing staff and supported by a talented Board chaired by Simon Cooper, founder of CSR Consultancy Ltd. Trustee directors are Abigail Petit, founder of Vericott and the popular Gossypium brand, and Toby Shillito, a director at Business in the Community.

The new office is an example of the kind of organizational growth and expansion directed by David Bennell who is stepping down as the executive director of Textile Exchange May 7, 2011 (he will remain as senior advisor until July 7). Bennell has been integral to the successful conversion of what was ‘Organic Exchange’ to ‘Textile Exchange,’ supporting the industry needs of a rapidly growing market of other sustainable fibers. In addition to the organic cotton fiber market, manufacturers of apparel and home textiles now have extensive information and an integrated supply chain network to support a full portfolio of fibers to work with as they “green” their product lines.

LaRhea Pepper, founder and former executive director of Organic Exchange, and more recently senior director of Textile Exchange, will become the organization’s managing director. She will be supported by the senior management team of Heidi McCloskey - Senior Director, Communications + Resource Development; Sandra Castaneda - Outreach Director; Liesl Truscott - Farm Engagement Director; and Anne Gillespie - Industry Integrity Director.

“Textile Exchange would like to thank David Bennell for successfully rebranding and repositioning the organization to support the broader sustainable textile industry and for cementing relationships with key partners such as North Carolina State University, CEMATEX/ITMA, Outdoor Retailer, and CottonConnect,” said Eraina Duffy, Chair of the Textile Exchange Board and Senior Materials Researcher - Considered Team at Nike, Inc. “We look forward to continuing the growth and expansion of the Textile Exchange programs under the direction of LaRhea Pepper and the strong senior leadership team.”

See story http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/textile-news/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=98378&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

A Century of Recycling From Survival to Sexy.

Tue, 03 May 2011 14:40:00 -0500

Baltimore’s Bill Schapiro is a man born to be green.

BALTIMORE, MD,

Apparel – Textile PR News/ — It’s rare today to hear about anyone following in the shoes of their great grandparents to continue the century-old family business. That’s what makes Bill Schapiro a rare and interesting breed. “I am very proud to be a fourth generation Ragman,” says Schapiro. He boasts about the rag or junk business which was an early way of recycling and a means of survival for immigrants like his great grandfather Solomon in 1907 Baltimore. Recycling discarded clothing for industrial uses, helped feed, clothe and shelter the young Schapiro family and others struggling to make ends meet at the turn of the century.

Later, Schapiro’s grandfather, about 20 years old at the time, started collecting junk with a push cart and went on to build a sophisticated recycling business. “This was all before being green became so important and popular,” says Schapiro. Now, he enthusiastically thumbs through log books his grandfather kept 90 years ago and marvels at the detail of the early rag trade. Today, that old rag business exists as modern textile recycling and a multi-million dollar international business for Schapiro’s Baltimore-based company, Whitehouse and Schapiro.

Schapiro was literally born into recycling. His mother and father met at a recycling conference in 1948. That organization, now called SMART (Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles), is an international association of businesses dedicated to recycling and reusing secondhand clothing and textiles. Increased awareness of the impact of waste on the environment has made the recycling of paper and plastics almost second nature, however, textiles are often thrown away, filling landfills and wasting valuable materials. Schapiro, a former president of SMART, led the association with a passion aimed at changing that thinking. His mantra: “SMART was green before green was smart.” Schapiro and SMART urge everyone to “Donate, Recycle, Don’t Throw Away” when it comes to secondhand clothing and other household textiles.

Donating used clothing to charities like Goodwill and The Salvation Army is a great way to start the process. Those organizations sell the re-usable clothing at their stores, but also raise cash for their programs by selling tons of donated clothing to SMART recyclers who sort and sell it to developing countries. Materials not wearable are recycled for use as industrial wipers or processed for reusable fiber fill. Schapiro does point out that the United States remains the largest user of secondhand clothing. Thousands of thrift stores flourish in this country and around the world fulfilling basic clothing needs and doing a brisk business selling one-of-a-kind vintage fashion items too.

Bill Schapiro has carried on the family business and SMART’s mission to environmentally recycle used textiles. Now he also helps finance and launch new businesses in the rag trade just like his great-grandfather did more than a hundred years ago. “My grandfather would be amazed at how “sexy” our industry has become!”

See story http://www.textileglobal.com/2011/04/a-century-of-recycling-from-survival-to-andquotsexyandquot.html

Top Greenhouse Gas Polluters

Tue, 03 May 2011 14:31:00 -0500

By Livestrong.com

At natural levels, greenhouse gases keep the planet warm enough to sustain life. Named for the greenhouses that trap heat and allow plants to grow out of season, greenhouse gases trap heat in earth's atmosphere. They absorb the sun's radiant energy, which takes the form of heat and re-radiate that energy in every direction, according to the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. As greenhouse gas levels rise, more and more heat gets trapped, resulting in global warming.

Water Vapor

Though water vapor remains the most abundant greenhouse gas, increased water vapor concentrations result from warmer temperatures, rather than causing them initially. When global temperatures rise, water evaporates and the air becomes more humid. Water vapor is a greenhouse gas, so more water in the air leads to even hotter temperatures—which cause yet more water to evaporate. Called the water vapor feedback, the cycle magnifies the negative effects of other greenhouse gases, explains NASA's Earth Observatory.

Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide emissions are the leading cause of direct, man-made greenhouse gas pollution. Practices like deforestation and burning oil, gas and coal cause the most emissions. Since the start of the Industrial Revolution, carbon dioxide concentrations have increased by one-third, according to NASA. Carbon dioxide emissions that occur naturally—when you breathe, for example—get absorbed by trees and oceans, but those natural absorption processes can't keep up with the increased emissions of our industrialized society.

Methane

Methane traps more heat per molecule than carbon dioxide, according to NASA, but there is far less of it in the atmosphere. Despite the lower levels, methane is the third leading greenhouse gas polluter. Methane occurs naturally and as a result of human action. Man-made causes include mining coal, using natural gas and adding to landfills, where the decomposition process emits methane.

Natural methane occurrences include cattle flatulence and defecation, swampland emissions and root emissions from plants like rice. Growing rice and breeding cattle to feed a growing population increases atmospheric methane levels from natural sources.

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide might make your dental visits more pleasant, where it's called laughing gas, but it's the fourth most copious greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. Its heat trapping abilities are 310 times greater per molecule than carbon dioxide, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, and it lasts around 120 years in the atmosphere. The primary human-caused sources of nitrous oxide include using nitrogen-based fertilizers, burning fossil fuels and making nitric acid.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/160194-top-greenhouse-gas-polluters/#ixzz1LJODD1Md

Boston Announces Mayor's Green Awards Winners

Tue, 03 May 2011 14:28:00 -0500

By Boston.com Staff

Four Boston resident groups, 11 businesses and two sustainable food leaders were winners of the city’s fifth-annual “Mayor’s Green Awards.”

Each was recognized during a ceremony at the new, “green” Atlantic Wharf skyscraper on Friday for “doing their part to make Boston a greener, more sustainable, and livable city,” said a city release.

“I continue to be impressed by the commitment and creativity of the businesses and residents who are working to green our city,” Mayor Thomas M. Menino said in the announcement. “Each of these winners demonstrates every day how we can improve environmental quality while at the same time bringing growth and prosperity to our neighborhoods. Their examples prove that individual efforts can create real and lasting change in our environment.”

The residential awards went to groups or individuals in Roslindale, the South End, Jamiaca Plain and Beacon Hill, along with a special recognition from the Allston-Brighton area. The business awards went to four South Boston-based organizations, two from the West End, and one from Downtown, East Fenway, the North End, Roxbury and the South End. The food leader awards were claimed out of Charlestown and West Roxbury.

Below is a list from city officials of award categories and winners, along with a description of each:

Green Residential Award recipients

The Mayor's Green Residential Awards recognize residents and local organizations in Boston that are committed to sustainable living. Winners in this category demonstrate exemplary sustainable practices in their community and in their homes.

GreeningRozzie Organization – Roslindale
GreeningRozzie, recipient of the Climate Leader Award, is a resident-run community group dedicated to creating a cleaner and greener Roslindale through grassroots actions that include a variety of information and educational projects on renewable energy, home energy efficiency, waste reduction, water conservation and local food production. GreeningRozzie is leading the way in working with residents to sign up for the City’s Renew Boston energy audit and weatherization program.

Mark and Etta Rosen – South End
The Green Roof award was given to Mark and Etta Rosen of the South End for the green roof installed on their LEED-certified home. The roof helps to minimize the heat island effect, reduces cooling costs, increases the effectiveness of a rooftop solar panel and extends the life of the roof.

Andree Collier and Ken Ward, JP Greenhouse – Jamaica Plain
The Green Home Conservation/Renovation Award was given to Andree Collier and Ken Ward for their multi-faceted renovation of a vacant store at 133 Bourne Street in Jamaica Plain. It serves as a demonstration home for sustainable living. The renovation includes passive solar design, super insulation, recycled materials, triple-glazed windows, a heat transfer ventilation system, and an air-to-water heat pump for hot water.

David Andrew Trust – Beacon Hill
David Andrew Trust was the recipient of the Waste Reduction Award for the extensive re-use and recycling of deconstructed materials and demolition waste from the gut rehabilitation of a home on Beacon Hill. The Boston Materials Resource Center was the recipient of hardwood flooring, lighting and plumbing materials. Wood from framing and the building interior was chipped for use as a fuel source. These efforts reduced the amount of material sent to a landfill or incinerator.

Nancy Grilk, Special Recognition for Public and Personal Service to City of Boston/Environmental and Energy Services – Allston/Brighton
Nancy Grilk has been a longstanding employee of City government, including 10 years of service in the Office of Environmental and Energy Services. In her years of service she has been dedicated to protecting and preserving Boston’s environmental quality and natural resources, worked on establishing a program for energy efficiency upgrades for residents, increased accessibility and education on the Boston Harbor islands, and championed programs that allow Boston’s youth to engage with the environment—to name just a few. In her personal life, Nancy volunteers in her Allston-Brighton neighborhood at a community garden and helps to organize Boston Shines events with her neighbors.

Green Business Award recipients

The Mayor’s Green Business Awards recognizes local businesses in Boston that demonstrate extraordinary performance related to sustainable environmental practices. Businesses may apply in the categories of commercial, industrial, non-profit and academic, cultural and healthcare institutions.

A Better City – Downtown
A Better City (ABC) works with the business community, civic organizations and government to advance significant transportation, land development and environmental policies, projects and initiatives. Through Boston Buying Power, ABC purchases wind renewable energy credits to offset 100% of its annual electricity usage. It also buys Carbon Offsets for 100% of employee commutes and other travel.

ADD, Inc. – South Boston
ADD, Inc. is an architectural and design firm in the South Boston Seaport that offers sustainable design consulting services. It designed and renovated its offices to LEED Commercial Interiors standards, receiving Platinum certification. These new offices use 54% less energy than ADD Inc.’s prior offices. ADD Inc. has committed to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2030 Challenge which targets a 70% reduction in the fossil fuel energy consumption of buildings by 2015 and carbon-neutral buildings by 2030.

Blue Tierra Chocolate Café – South Boston
As a new small business in South Boston, Blue Tierra has taken considerable steps toward sustainability. Blue Tierra is working with the Sustainable Business Leader Program and has conducted an energy audit. The café uses compostable to-go ware, cups, straws and napkins, and drinks in the café are served in reclaimed china. Dishes are cleaned using a heat-sanitizing dishwasher and only all-natural, chemical-free cleaning agents are used in the store.

Museum of Science – Boston
An Environmental Sustainability and Green Building Committee at the Museum of Science has been established to reduce energy consumption and the museum’s environmental impact. An independent energy audit has been conducted and performance contracting has resulted in 17 Energy Conservation Measures (ECM) that are under development and installation. A program to increase employee and patron recycling has resulted in a reduction in 120 tons of waste in two years. Organics recycling increased by 37 tons during the same period.

Northeastern University – East Fenway
Northeastern University in Boston’s East Fenway neighborhood has developed a multi-dimensional sustainability strategy, including a January 2010 Climate Action Plan and the identification of short and long-term plans leading to carbon neutrality. As a signatory to the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), Northeastern has committed to eliminating net greenhouse gas emissions from specified campus operations and to promoting the research and educational efforts of higher education to equip society to re-stabilize the earth’s climate.

Nutter McClennan and Fish – South Boston
The South Boston Seaport law firm Nutter McClennan and Fish obtained an energy audit for its offices and instituted energy efficiency, water conservation and waste reduction strategies, including an annual audit of its waste stream. Nutter coordinates sustainability efforts with building management, has a designated sustainability officer, conducts bi-annual sustainability surveys and has created for employees a green policies and procedures manual.

Seaport Hotel – South Boston
The Seaport Hotel and World Trade Center, a recipient of a Green Business Award in 2007, has expanded its commitment to sustainability. Renewable energy credits are purchased to offset the annual electricity used by all 428 guest rooms, 13 guest floors and 4 guest elevators at the hotel. The hotel is enrolled in DemandSMART, a program under which it agrees to reduce energy usage in order to prevent a brownout or blackout during a peak energy demand situation. In addition, the Seaport Hotel uses an industrial Eco Wiz composter that turns inedible foods, such as eggshells, and unfinished meals into a compost material for use in its gardens and by employees for home use.

Swap.com – South End
This Boston-based company, located in the South End, uses its Web site, mobile app, local events, homes, schools and partnerships to internationally advance the swap movement, known as collaborative consumption. One million online Swap.com members have traded 10.7 million pounds of goods since early 2010. Offline fashion swap events keep wearable clothing in circulation with un-swapped clothes donated to Goodwill International.

Urban AdvenTours – North End
Urban Adventours on the North End waterfront provides eight standard bike tours such as Bikes at Night and to areas such as Fenway Park and along Charles River to Boston Harbor. It rents bicycles to residents and visitors, providing delivery when needed in a 1987 postal delivery van powered by recycled vegetable oil. Riders are given water in BPH bottles that are washed and reused. During the winter of 2010, Urban Adventours joined the Sustainable Business Leader program and conducted an energy audit of its facilities with NSTAR and National Grid.

Urban Edge Housing Corporation – Roxbury
Since 1974, Urban Edge has worked to create and maintain healthy, affordable and vibrant communities in Roxbury, Jamaica Plain and surrounding neighborhoods. This Roxbury community development corporation has constructed new housing, renovated existing housing developments and preserved and redeveloped the historic former Egleston Power to LEED standards for use by Boston Neighborhood Network. Urban Edge has used photovoltaic solar panels, solar thermal hot water and a ground-source geothermal heating and cooling system in recent projects and continues to expand its commitment to sustainability.

ZeroEnergy Design – West End
ZeroEnergy Design is a green architecture and mechanical design firm that works on new construction and major renovations of green home projects. It provides energy consulting & HVAC design to achieve exceptional energy performance. For full design projects, ZeroEnergy Design has committed to a minimum energy performance 50 percent better than code requirements. It has partnered with a consulting firm with expertise in environmental health, healthy housing, green building and indoor air quality to develop the Healthy Living Resident Engagement training to engage residents of multi-family affordable housing in energy conservation, water conservation, recycling and the minimization of allergens and toxics in the home.

2011 Sustainable Food Leader recipients

(A new category of the “Mayor’s Green Awards”) The sustainable food awards were given to businesses that demonstrate extraordinary efforts to provide the freshest, local food in the most sustainable manner.

Boston Organics – Charlestown
Boston Organics of Charlestown, winner of a Sustainable Food Leadership award, delivers fresh, organic, seasonal produce to households in and around Boston. Produce is procured as close to Boston as possible and can be delivered to your home or office. Boston Organics donates leftover produce to Food for Free.

The Rox Diner – West Roxbury
The owners of the Rox Diner in West Roxbury are committed to buying local food, purchasing bread in Roslindale and muffins in West Roxbury. Produce is purchased at farmer’s markets and Allandale Farm. Cooking oil is recycled through a local company that converts it to biofuel and part of the profits donated to local education.

See story http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/allston_brighton/2011/04/boston_announces_mayors_green.html