From the source [Vol. 15, no. 1 (Winter 2006)]

source from the

Winter 2006

Vol. 15, No. 1

A publication of the Georgia Pollution Prevention Assistance Division

P2AD Partnership Program welcomes 8 new members; promotes first Partner

T he Pollution Prevention Assistance Division (PAD) has accepted eight organizations and companies into its environmental leadership program during the fourth enrollment period. By joining the PAD Partnership Program, these organizations have made strong commitments to protecting and preserving the environment.
The following companies/organizations were accepted during the fall 2005 enrollment period: Red Level--Tifton Aluminum Co., Inc.; Yellow Level--Brasstown Valley Resort, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia State University, Lake Blackshear Resort & Golf Club; White Level-- Georgia Traditional Industries Program, Skye Energy, LLC, The Wilderness Society.
"PAD Partners lead the way in implementing sound environmental practices, recognizing that what's good for the environment can also be good for the bottom line," said Bob Donaghue, director of PAD.
"The continuing strong response to our Partnership Program underscores the value of performance-based

programs such as ours." The eight new Partners join 76
others throughout Georgia already committed to environmental leadership through the PAD Partnership Program.
The Program has also seen its first Partner advance to a higher member-
ship level. Shaw Industries Group, Inc. Plant 15 in Cartersville, which joined the Program at the Yellow Level during the fall 2004 enrollment period, was accepted into the Red Level.
"At Shaw Plant 15, we have made several commitments as part of our EMS implementation," said Rudy Wofford, quality manager. "These include a 25% reduction in solid waste sent to the landfill from our tile cutting operation, a 35% reduction in non-hazardous wastes generated and reducing the potential for stormwater pollution.
"As these goals are achieved, we will continue to add aggressive, measurable and significant targets for improvement," Wofford added. "We appreciate having P2AD as a partner and look forward to a continued positive working relationship."

Busch elected 2006 Georgia Recycling Coalition president
Stephanie Busch, program manager for the PAD Partnership Program, has been elected president of the Georgia Recycling Coalition (GRC) for 2006. She has served as a GRC board member since 2003.
GRC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to complement and coordinate activities relative to recycling; to foster communications among professionals, organizations, government agencies and individuals; and to promote and enhance reduction and recycling programs throughout the state.
Please see GRC, page 11
In This Issue
Director's column ..............................2 Ft. Benning adds ethanol pump ......3 DNR invites public comment .......... 3 Green building in DNR ....................4 Apartments save water .....................6 Ag education workshops ..................7 Spotlight: C&A Floorcoverings ........8 Spotlight: Zoo Atlanta .......................9 Stream monitoring project ...............9 Calendar ...............................................11

source from the A publication of the Georgia Pollution Prevention Assistance Division From the Source is a quarterly publication of the Pollution Prevention Assistance Division (P2AD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR). P2AD provides free, confidential, technical assistance in the areas of pollution prevention, resource conservation, waste reduction, byproduct reuse, and recycling. Our clients include manufacturers, commercial businesses, institutions, military and government facilities, agricultural operations, consultants, and the citizens of Georgia. Please contact us with address corrections, inquiries, and opinions. Articles in From the Source may be reprinted with permission from P2AD. Back issues are available on-line at http://www.p2ad.org.
More Info
404-651-5120 800-685-2443 (outside Atlanta) info@p2ad.org
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Director's Column
by Bob Donaghue
MSWG A Voice for Ecological Innovation and Integration

Last fall's P2AD Partnership Program conference, Natural Leaders: Achieving Sustainability in the 21st Century, was cosponsored by the Multi-State Working Group (MSWG).
MSWG was established in 1996 as a small, informal affiliation of regulators, businesses, environmentalists and scholars focused on studying environmental management systems (EMSs) and their potential to achieve environmental results.
Today, MSWG is a network of more than 800 participants in the United States and 12 countries. Its members seek to sustain long-term environmental improvement and integrate it into the nation's culture.
I chair MSWG's strategic themes and direction committee, which seeks to better integrate natural law into environmental and natural resource laws and policies. In general, natural resource law is commodity-based, while environmental law is mediabased.
We will offer an ecosystem-based EMS approach to adapt 20th century environmental and natural resource management strategies for the 21st century. To this end, the committee members will explore achieving greater environmental performance through ecological innovation and integration. Current environmental law will serve as the foundation of this effort, but we will make the case

for a broader vision that goes beyond the status quo by: Describing, clearly and simply, how
advanced ecological thinking is important to effective environmental protection and natural resource laws and policies Documenting specific actions by businesses, governments and citizens that produce greater environmental results than the minimum required or expected Describing the importance of the above actions Providing practical ideas on how those examples can help us create better local, state and national laws and policies. MSWG's regional meetings will focus on this theme for the next two years, culminating in a report to be released by January 2009 that will provide information and guidance to the 111th Congress and 44th president on improving environmental performance by better aligning the legal and natural systems. Although P2AD will not have a direct role in this project, it is likely that our performance-based Partnership Program will serve as a testing ground for businesses and organizations that are interested in exploring the many innovative ideas and projects that enhance ecological sustainability at the facility level and higher. For more information on MSWG, visit http://www.mswg.org
P2AD's From the Source :: Winter 2006

Ft. Benning opens first alternative fuel pump in Dept. of Defense
by Melissa House, Ft. Benning Bayonet; reprinted with permission from The Bayonet, http://www.thebayonet.com

F ort Benning notched a first with the opening of an Ethanol85 pump earlier this year. "Fort Benning has always been a leader in environmental efforts," said Andrea Hicks, the post's pollution prevention program manager. Several years ago, alternative fuel vehicles debuted on post, but the infrastructure didn't exist to support their use.
Through working with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service to make the fuel available, Hicks said, the installation is now able to comply fully with executive orders and continue its environmental stewardship.
Garrison Commander Col. Rick Riera pumped the ceremonial first gallons into one of the post's 327 E85-capable vehicles.

"This is a big deal for Fort Benning," he said. "It's been six years in the making, and not only do we have the first alternative fuel pump in the Army, but in the Department of Defense."
Also attending the ceremony were representatives from the Middle Georgia Clean Cities Coalition (MGCCC), General Motors and Alternative Fuel Solutions -- groups interested in the post's efforts.
Dr. Linda Smyth, president of the MGCCC, said her organization has found that the military always takes the lead on projects involving new technology and is willing to be the first to try things that others later adopt.
Please see Ethanol, page 10

Col. Rick Riera, garrison commander, fills a government vehicle with Ethanol85. Ft. Benning has more than 300 E85-capable vehicles. Photo by Melissa House, Ft. Benning Bayonet.

DNR invites public comment on 10-year strategic plan

T he Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold three public hearings in February to receive input from the public about its proposed strategic plan. The plan will provide goals, objectives and strategies to guide the development and implementation of department programs and operations during the next decade.
The public is asked to provide input on the goals, objectives and strategies in five key operational areas: resource inventory and monitoring; natural and cultural resources management; recreation management; regulatory and non-regulatory programming; and public education, outreach and communications.

Attendees at the meetings may make comments either orally or in writing. Those unable to attend a meeting may submit written comments prior to the close of business Feb. 25. Comments may be submitted electronically at http:// www.gadnr.org/strategic or mailed to Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Strategic Plan, 7 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. S.W., Suite 450, Atlanta, GA 30334.
These meetings will be accessible to people with physical disabilities.
For more information about the meetings, contact DNR at (404) 651-5120. This information is also available at http://www.gadnr.org/ strategic

DNR Strategic Plan Public Hearings
Feb. 15 7 P.M. Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum 175 Bourne Ave. Pooler, GA 31322 (Savannah)
Feb. 22 2 P.M. DNR Boardroom 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SE Suite 1252 East Atlanta, GA 30334
Feb. 23 7 P.M. Century Fire/EMS Station 934 U.S. Highway 19 South Leesburg, GA 31763 (Albany)

P2AD's From the Source :: Winter 2006

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Georgia DNR a national LEEDer
by David Freedman, P.E., Chief Engineer, Georgia Department of Natural Resources

T he Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has one of the most aggressive green building programs in the nation. DNR has more LEEDTM-certified buildings than any other state agency and ranks third in the nation among all building owners, both public and private, with LEEDTM-certified buildings.
The LEEDTM (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, is a voluntary, consensus-based, national standard for developing high performance, sustainable buildings. The most impressive aspect of DNR's program is that all of these buildings are open to the public and provide full-scale examples of green building construction and operation.
"Our green buildings serve as examples to other building owners and contractors on how to build and operate buildings that minimize the adverse impact of buildings on the environment and the building occupants," said Becky Kelley, director of the Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division.
DNR's certified buildings are located around the state and include various types of buildings:
1. The Len Foote Hike Inn at Amicalola Falls State Park LEEDTM for Existing Buildings (EB) Gold; the first LEEDTM EB facility in the southeast (Dawsonville)
2. The Museum at Franklin D. Roosevelt's Little White House LEEDTM NC Silver; (Warm Springs)
3. The Suwannee River Visitor Center LEEDTM NC Gold; (Fargo)
4. The Golf Course Clubhouse at Arrowhead Pointe, Richard B. Russell State Park LEEDTM for New Construction (NC) Silver; the only LEEDTM certified golf course clubhouse (Elberton)
5. The Dining Hall at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center LEEDTM NC Silver; (Mansfield)
These green buildings have resulted in considerable operating savings for the state. The average energy savings is 31.8 percent and the average water savings is 44.8 percent. The buildings not only cost less to operate, but also reduce the impact on the local infrastructure with

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their reduced energy and water use. All of the buildings include an educational component
on green buildings ranging from an educational display to hands-on interactive exhibits at the Suwannee River Visitor Center. The state also has benefited from the integrated design process that results in a better allaround building.
One of the great benefits of the green building program is the reduced impact to the environment during construction. For the DNR projects, the average amount of construction waste diverted from landfills is 87.8 percent, and nearly 94 percent of waste was diverted during construction of the Little White House Museum. This is an important aspect of green buildings since construction waste generation in the United States is 2.8 pounds per person per day.
The other great benefit of green buildings is their superior indoor environmental quality. By implementing an indoor air quality management plan during construction that includes the use of low VOC paints, adhesives and sealants, the typical odors and dust associated with construction are eliminated. Increased day lighting and

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P2AD's From the Source :: Winter 2006

34

cabins in state parks that will be certified under Southface's Earth Craft House Program. Inmate construction crews from the Department of Corrections are constructing some of these cabins. DNR's first Earth Craft building, the administration building at the Suwannee River Visitor Center, is one of the most energy efficient buildings in the state, sometimes generating more energy than it uses.

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high performance HVAC systems also provide a much more pleasant environment for the building occupants.
DNR is currently constructing its first green office building for the Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) at Social Circle. "We have been pleased that our visitors have been able to utilize our green buildings and it is exciting that our employees will now realize those same benefits," said DNR Commissioner Noel Holcomb.
In addition to the new WRD office, DNR has several other green buildings in the design and construction stages, including an aquarium expansion at Magnolia Springs State Park and a new visitor center at Sweetwater Creek State Park. By harvesting rainwater and using waterless plumbing fixtures, the Sweetwater building will be one of the few buildings in the country that uses no potable water and produces minimal amounts of wastewater. Working with green-minded partners such as the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA), Southface and BP Solar, the Sweetwater building will be equipped with a photovoltaic system that generates more than 20 percent of the building's energy use.
The story does not end here. DNR also is constructing
P2AD's From the Source :: Winter 2006

Other state agencies following LEED DNR is also encouraging other state agencies to "go
green." The Department of Transportation is constructing a LEEDTM office building in Thomaston and the World Congress Center, the state's largest building, has registered under the LEEDTM for Existing Buildings program. Also Gov. Sonny Perdue will be proclaiming the week of March 20 as "Green Week" in Georgia in honor of the state's green building efforts and Southface's Greenprints conference March 23-24 at Georgia Tech, the site of one of the state's first LEEDTM-certified buildings.
It is an exciting time in Georgia for green buildings. The Atlanta skyline continues to change with LEEDTM certified buildings at Atlantic Station and on Peachtree Street. Premier educational institutions, including Woodward Academy and Emory University, are fully committed to constructing green buildings, and Melaver in Savannah is a fine example of green building retail development. All building owners, public and private, are encouraged to implement all or part of a green building program to realize significant cost savings while protecting Georgia's great natural resources.
For more information, please visit: Georgia State Parks -- http://www.gastateparks.org/ec Southface -- http://www.southface.org U.S. Green Building Council -- http://www.usgbc.org
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Atlanta apartments save $60,000 per year in water bills

Lenox Woods Apartments in Atlanta cut its water use in half by implementing water conservation measures recommended by P2AD.
Faced with rising water and sewer bills in 2004, Lenox Woods asked for P2AD's help in surveying its operations and identifying water saving measures. "From the beginning, our water bills were tremendous and they continued to go up every year since I bought the property, " said Chip Fife, president of FifeCo Properties and owner of Lenox Woods Apartments.
The apartments' water and sewer bill decreased by $6,800 per month immediately after implementing the water conservation measures. Lenox Woods expects to save more than 4 million gallons of water and $60,000 per year from its water conservation efforts.
Owner Chip Fife had submeters installed to bill tenants for the actual amount of water they used.
They will see additional cost savings by reducing the amount of natural gas used to heat water. "The return on investment for this project is approximately 18 months," said Fife. "I think I'm doing well. I think any investment with a return less than three years is a wise business decision."

After receiving recom-

mendations from P2AD,

Fife hired a contractor to

replace the plumbing

fixtures in 101 apart-

ments. Most of the

apartments were built in

the 1960s and had older

plumbing fixtures that

used large amounts of

water. Many of the flappers on the older toilets were also leaking.
The contractor

Chip Fife, owner of Lenox Woods, and Jeanette Beraldi, property manager, led a successful effort to reduce water bills at their Atlanta apartment complex.

installed 161 toilets, 161 bathroom The more communication you have

faucet aerators, 103 kitchen faucet

with the tenants, the better."

aerators and 125 showerheads. Lenox Woods chose a well-rated flapperless Dedicated employees

toilet after seeing an independent

PAD attributes the success at

toilet-performance study.

Lenox Woods Apartments to the

Fife said replacing the toilets ended involvement and dedication of its

up saving the complex the most water. employees. "The team at Lenox

"We didn't get any complaints about Woods was extremely committed to

the low-flow plumbing fixtures and water conservation," said Judy Adler,

we received nothing but compliments program manager with PAD. "The

about the toilets," said Fife. Tenants property manager and maintenance

told Fife the new toilets were better engineers woke up in the middle of

looking and they flushed better.

the night on several occasions to read

After completing the plumbing

the water meter at 2 a.m. If that isn't

retrofits, Lenox Woods installed

dedication, I don't know what is."

submeters on all of the older apart-

Plumbing retrofits and submeters

ment buildings. Prior to the

are not the end of Lenox Woods' water

submetering, the tenants were billed conservation efforts. The complex is

for their estimated water use. With also mandating water- and energy-

individual water meters now installed efficient clothes washers and dryers in

on every apartment, tenants now pay the new contract for its laundry

for water and sewer according to their facility.

actual water use.

Fife, who is in the process of

"They are now responsible for their purchasing a property in Smyrna, is a

own consumption," said Property

true convert. "That [water conserva-

Manager Jeanette Beraldi. "The less tion] is the first thing we are going to

water they use, the more money they do go in and replace the commodes

are going to save. Keeping your

and submeter," he said.

residents informed is very important

when you switch to submetering.

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P2AD's From the Source :: Winter 2006

UGA small tarp method for litter

Poultry litter spreader calibration: education & demonstration classes

spreader calibration (http:// www.agp2/aware, search keyword "calibration"). A convenient calibra-

tion kit was assembled to facilitate

quick and easy replications in the

field.

A curriculum on spreader calibra-

tion was also developed for county

and regional workshops. Monroe

County Extension worked with the

poultry science and biological and

by Thomas Bass, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension and P2AD Agricultural Pollution Prevention Program

agricultural engineering departments to plan the first course on animal feeding regulations and nutrient management planning that

Agreat amount of time and resources have been put into nationally recognized programs in nutrient and animal waste management conducted by UGA extension specialists and county agents in the last five years.
These programs were born from regulatory changes, increased public scrutiny and a proactive industry. An integral component of nutrient management planning is the calibration of land application equipment.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture now requires haulers and brokers of animal manures to apply for a permit and annually calibrate application equipment.
Whether one is a regulated user of litter or not, spreader calibration is necessary for the continued use of animal waste resources in an environmentally responsible manner. This is particularly true in Georgia, which produces 1.5 million tons of poultry litter annually. (See "Understanding the Benefits and Risks of Poultry Litter Use," From the Source, fall 2004, vol. 13, no. 3 for additional information on poultry litter.)
In March 2004, extension specialists, PAD agricultural specialists and more than 25 county agents field tested a variety of methods for poultry litter spreader calibration. The field day was promoted as an in-service training with an interactive component. It was cooperatively planned by five specialists, as well as county agents from Greene, Morgan and Putnam counties.
During the training, five methods were each tested on four different spreaders at the UGA Central Branch

also included calibrating a spreader. The program consisted of a 2-hour classroom session covering poultry regulations, litter and soil testing, farm mapping, nutrient management planning software and explanation of calibration. A hands-on demonstration and interpretation of the recommended "UGA small tarp method" for spreader calibration was also conducted. Since summer 2004, more than 10 successful workshops have been conducted around the state for producers, litter brokers, poultry company field men, as well as technical service providers and other educators. Two additional workshops are Workshop course materials. already planned for early 2006. The compiled curriculum, set of presentations and calibration kit make this training easy to replicate. Requests for additional trainings have been received and will be accommodated to provide this pertinent and timely training in convenient geographic regions throughout the state. These trainings exemplify successful collaboration and cooperation between extension specialists, county agents, local soil and water districts, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the poultry industry. They also demonstrate the successful delivery of pollution prevention education in conjunction with regulatory technical assistance.

Experiment Station in Eatonton. The results of this

Visit http://www.agp2.org for more information on animal waste

exercise allowed specialists to continue recommending the programming in Georgia.

P2AD's From the Source :: Winter 2006

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Partner Spotlight

Located in Dalton, C&A Floorcoverings has been manufacturing high-performance carpeting for the commercial market for more than 35 years. The

company is a Red Level Partner in the PAD Partnership

Program (and had been a member of its predecessor, the

Pollution Prevention Partners (P3) program since 1998)

and is a charter member of U.S. EPA's National Environ-

mental Performance Track program.

In 1992, C&A introduced its reclamation and closed-

loop recycling program encouraging its customers to

recycle their vinyl-backed carpet. Any vinyl-backed carpet

can be recycled in C&A's program, regardless of the

manufacturer.

One hundred percent of

the returned carpet (in-

cluding face fiber, backing

and intermediary compo-

nents) is recycled and used

in the production of new

carpet. Incineration is not

used as a form of disposal.

In fact, C&A's sustainable

warranty guarantees that carpet returned to C&A

Carpet headed for the grinder.

will be recycled in its entirety and that no portion will be

landfilled, incinerated (including waste-to-energy) or

disposed of in any other way.

Carpet recycled in the program is used to produce

recycled-content secondary backing for new ER3 floor

coverings. C&A was the first manufacturer to produce

modular carpet tile with a 100% recycled-content backing

and it has been the standard backing in their modular

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carpet line since 1998. The product's recycled content ranges from 31 to 50%
overall, depending on the style, and contains a minimum of nine percent post-consumer content. The company also offers ER3 six-foot broadloom, with a recycled-content cushion backing.
In 2004, C&A introduced a new product, ethosTMcushion 100. The products' cushion backing system contains 76% post-consumer recycled content and is made from reclaimed polyvinyl butyral (PVB). PVB is a thermoplastic film recovered from car windshield and safety glass recycling. Until now, there have been only limited applications for PVB film, and most PVB waste was destined for the landfill. C&A is the first manufacturer to recover and recycle this material into a highperformance carpet backing.
The ethos product meets or exceeds industry performance standards, is 100% recyclable and is currently being recycled in C&A's existing closed-loop recycling process. The recycled content in the ethos product ranges from 30 to 52% overall, depending on the style, and contains a minimum of 30% post-consumer content.
EPP certification C&A has received environmentally preferable product
(EPP) certification for its ER3 modular carpet, ER3 sixfoot cushion and ethos cushion products from Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), an independent third-party environmental claims certification organization. Additionally, C&A products have been certified annually for recycled content since 2001.
C&A will be applying for certification in the U.S. Green Building Council's LEEDTM program for its renovation of an old trolley barn in downtown Atlanta as a showroom and office space. The company hopes to achieve a silver rating. The company is also dedicated to continual improvement and measurement in resource use, air and water quality and energy use, and has "goal zero" programs for waste and emissions. Over the last 12 years, waste has been reduced by 95%, energy and greenhouse gases by 15%, water by 55% and air emissions by 89% per unit of production.
C&A is a member of the Tandus Group that collectively unites three leading commercial flooring brands Monterey, C&A and Crossley. Based in Dalton, Tandus offers its customers single-source innovative product design, comprehensive services and environmental leadership. For more information visit http://www.tandus.com
P2AD's From the Source :: Winter 2006

Zoo Atlanta was founded in 1889, and is one of the 10 oldest zoos in continuous operation in the United States. It maintains a collection of more than 700 specimens on 40 acres near downtown Atlanta.
Zoo Atlanta's naturalistic environment has earned it national acclaim and is designed to give guests a tour of select destinations around the globe including: The Ford African Rain Forest, African Plains, The Asian Forest, Flamingo Plaza, World of Reptiles, Orkin Children's Zoo and Outback Station.
A leader in conservation education, Zoo Atlanta provides much more than just recreation to its roughly 600,000 annual visitors. It also participates in the American Zoo and Aquarium Association's Species Survival Plans for 25 endangered species that are part of its collection, managing breeding and supporting research, public education and reintroduction and field projects to

Partner Spotlight
ensure the long-term sustainability of these species.
In addition to its many external conservation efforts, Zoo Atlanta works to minimize the environmental impacts of its daily operations through an active Green Team, and participation as a Yellow Level Partner in the P2AD Partnership Program (since spring 2005).
Some of the Green Team's many efforts include expanding a recycling

program for Zoo guests and employees, developing a composting program for elephant manure and bamboo waste and hosting a number of educational events.
Zoo Atlanta's Green Team is currently asking guests to donate old cell phones, which will be recycled through Eco-Cell, a cell phonerecycling firm based in Louisville, Kentucky. Any funds the Zoo receives through the program will go to The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International for gorilla conservation efforts.
In addition to many hazardous materials, cell phones also contain coltan, a mineral extracted from central-African forests, home to the world's endangered lowland gorillas. Recycling cell phones may help reduce the demand for coltan mining.
The Team is also hosting Think Green Day at the Zoo March 18.
Visit http://www.zooatlanta.org/ conservation_landing.htm for more information on these activities and other conservation efforts at Zoo Atlanta.

Partners GM and Dunwoody Nature Center team with students to monitor stream health

General Motors, the Dunwoody Nature Center and students from Holy Innocent's Episcopal School have teamed up to monitor the water quality of a local creek.
Each month, the team visits Long Island Creek in DeKalb County to take water samples. The results are catalogued to track the creek's health over time.
GM professionals bring hands-on engineering, critical thinking and teamwork skills to these events. Other training is provided by the Georgia Adopt-A-Stream program, the American Society of Civil Engineers and staff from P2AD.
The GM GREEN (Global Rivers Environmental Education Network) program, in partnership with the
Please see Stream, page 10

Students from a science class at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School in Sandy Springs take part in a stream monitoring project with GM and the Dunwoody Nature Center in December.

P2AD's From the Source :: Winter 2006

9

Students benefit from partnerships
Stream, from page 9
Holy Innocents' Episcopal School students receive hands-on instruction in their outdoor classroom. Nature Center, helps develop awareness and activism in local high school students through environmental education.
This unique and successful partnership brings together corporations, regulatory agencies and environmental organizations to involve young people in protecting the watersheds of the United States.
Around the state, 25 GM employees and 100 students take part in the project. Nationally, GM GREEN includes more than 9,000 students, more than 200 GM employees and 140 educators from 79 schools.
GM has been active in the GREEN program since 1985, shortly after it was founded by a professor at the University of Michigan. GREEN was adopted in 1998 by Earth Force, a national organization that engages young people as active citizens who improve the environment and their communities now and in the future.
Four of the project's participants are active in the P2AD Partnership Program and have been recognized for their environmental stewardship and community relations. GM Doraville is a Blue Level Partner in the Program, while the Dunwoody Nature Center, the Georgia Adopt-A-Stream program and the American Society of Civil Engineers are all White Level Partners.
Photos: George Guerin. Used with permission of GM.
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More than 2 million GM vehicles can run on Ethanol 85
Ethanol, from page 3
"That's commendable, and we applaud anything that reduces our use of fossil fuels," she said. "It's good for the environment, for our economy and for national security." Smyth's group promotes the use of alternative fuels and reducing the use of petroleum "in any way, shape and form."
Infrastructure forming And opening an ethanol pump on Fort Benning is good
for Georgia, too, said Ed White, representing Alternative Fuel Solutions, LLC and Clean Fuel USA. The groups promote the use of ethanol fuel, specifically, and facilitate the use of ethanol fuel by developing infrastructure and assisting in creating programs for its use.
White said they encourage companies to create ethanol plants in Georgia and to take advantage of the state's agricultural capabilities. Ethanol alcohol is distilled mainly from corn plants, and E85 is available at fewer than 200 stations nationwide.
"Ethanol means jobs," White said. "It's economically and environmentally beneficial. It's win-win for everybody."
Nationwide, there are more than two million General Motors vehicles capable of running on E85, said GM Fleet Account Executive Randy Queen.
"But right now the `pretty boy' on the block is the hybrid (vehicle)," Queen said. "But the hybrid doesn't do nearly as much in reducing fuel consumption as E85 vehicles do." Unfortunately, he said, there are few retail E85 facilities. The majority of the nation's pumps exist in the Midwest, where the bulk of the ethanol is produced.
The good news for the average consumer is that some may be driving a vehicle that is capable of using the E85 fuel -- and buying it at the Dixie Road pump at approximately 20 cents per gallon less expensive than gas.
"A lot of people don't know their vehicle will handle ethanol," White said. "And as you decrease the demand for gas, you ease the price people are paying for that gas.
"E85 -- it's 85 percent ethanol. For every gallon, you're only burning 15 percent of what a normal person is burning. That's huge."
P2AD's From the Source :: Winter 2006

Calendar of Events

2006

Mar 8-10 Mar 15-16 Mar 18 Mar 22 Mar 23-24 May 3-7 May 8-11 Oct 22-25

Managing Environmental Compliance Course Georgia Tech http://www.pe.gatech.edu >> keyword: managing environmental compliance Georgia Association of Water Professionals Industrial Conference & Expo Georgia International Convention Center, Atlanta GA http://gawponline.org Zoo Atlanta's Think Green Day, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. http://www.zooatlanta.com/family_fun_think_green_day.htm Greenprints Visionary Dinner Georgia Freight Depot, Atlanta, GA http://www.southface.org Greenprints Conference and Tradeshow Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center, Atlanta, GA http://www.southface.org EDRA 37: Annual Conference of the Environmental Design Research Association Sheraton Midtown Atlanta - Colony Square, Atlanta, GA http://www.edra.org National Environmental Partnership Summit Sheraton Atlanta, Atlanta, GA http://www.environmentalsummit.org 25th Annual National Recycling Coalition Congress & Exposition Atlanta, GA http://www.nrc-recycle.org/congress/index.htm

Best Buy joins ReCellular to recycle cell phones

Best Buy Company, Inc. has launched a nationwide mobile phone recycling program, allowing customers to mail their old phones to a recycler free of charge to benefit a national youth organization.
The company will give postagepaid envelopes to customers who buy cell phones or related equipment at any of its U.S. stores. Customers can then mail their old

phone at no cost to ReCellular Inc., a Dexter, Mich.-based cell phone recycler that is partnering with Best Buy.
Minneapolis-based Best Buy also will donate $1 to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America for each phone collected through the program. The store is encouraging customers to donate enough phones to generate a minimum of $500,000 for the organization.

P2AD's From the Source :: Winter 2006

New GRC president
GRC, from page 1
Currently, the group has 170 members throughout the state, including mills, processors, local recycling coordinators, educators, trade associations and local, state and federal agencies. Recently, GRC became an affiliate of the National Recycling Coalition.
To join, or for more information, go to http:// www.georgiarecycles.org
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