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Green will become second nature.

“Sustainable design and the codes that support it are not a fad that will fade away, but will instead become common business practice.” says Jay Peters, Executive Director of the ICC®’s Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Group. “Green building applications will be integrated into standard construction practices so it will become second nature to implement greener plumbing, mechanical and other energy- and resource-saving measures.”  The International Green Construction Code is an exciting new addition to the extensive sustainable design provisions the Code Council has been publishing for years.  The organization, along with the entire building industry is committed to building stronger, safer and smarter for our communities and our planet.  Visit the IGCC page to learn more about this exciting new code and its PMG sections. You can also download a free version of the IGCC via a link on this page.  The International Code Council (ICC) publishes building safety, energy efficiency and fire prevention codes that are used in the construction of residential and commercial buildings. Most U.S. cities, counties and states choose the I-Codes based on their outstanding quality. The ICC’s Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas (PMG) Group is devoted exclusively to providing PMG products and support to jurisdictions and construction industry professionals across the country and around

the globe, with one or more PMG codes adopted in 49 states. The more than 200 superior products and related services were developed specifically by and for plumbing and mechanical professionals. Contact the PMG Group for additional information at 1-888-ICCSAFE, x4PMG, PMGResourceCenter@iccsafe. org, or visit www.iccsafe.org/pmg .

Read the complete article at GreenBuilder

LED Lighting Retrofit to Save Hawaii Hospitals $1.2M

Hawai’i Pacific Health (HPH), comprised of four nonprofit hospitals and 44 outpatient clinics and service sites, expects to save more than $1.2 million thanks to a LED lighting retrofit across its facilities.

The switch to LED lighting at its four hospital facilities also will help reduce HPH’s carbon emissions by 465,324.65 pounds per year from just the parking garages alone, according to Pacific Eco-Lights, which is supplying the LED lighting.

HPH expects to recover the cost of the conversion through energy bill savings in 15 months due to Eco-Light’s Seesmart LED technology, which is said to use 50 percent to 90 percent less electricity than a standard light bulb or compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL). Other benefits include longer life and no hazardous wastes such as mercury and lead, which are found in CFLs.

By retrofitting existing fixtures with LEDs, HPH is projected to save up to $10,000 to $12,000 per month from the conversion of just one of its parking garage facilities, which will translate into $1.2 million in combined annual savings by retrofitting hallways, waiting areas, cafeterias and offices throughout its four hospitals.

Pacific Eco-Lights says it offers city municipalities and companies financing, such as leasing with maintenance, installation and extended warranty agreements to make switching to LED lighting easier.

Read the complete article at Environmental Leader

Businesses Lag in Tracking Most Sustainability Metrics

While a majority of facility and sustainability professionals are tracking electricity use, many still don’t track for waste, water, green purchasing, carbon footprint and other sustainability metrics, according to a survey from iReuse.  They also lag behind in using data tracking tools.

The “Facility and Sustainability Data Management Survey“ (PDF) indicates that while most ‘green’ professionals track their operational and environmental performance, it’s primarily for electricity data using an Excel spreadsheet.  Survey respondents say that using the spreadsheet is “cumbersome” and leads to data entry errors and the need for custom formulas.  Eighty-six percent of respondents currently use Excel to track their utility data, but only 33 percent are satisfied or very satisfied with this tool.

Many survey respondents are tracking electricity — 74 percent track some utility data and 72 percent track electricity — and about half track water, waste, or natural gas, says iReuse.  The survey also finds that 46 percent don’t track any other data such as green purchasing metrics, business travel, or carbon footprint.

In addition, 44 percent of respondents indicate that utility data is tracked by facilities, 24 percent by the sustainability department, and 16 percent by the accounting department.

Read more at Environmental Leader:

Sustainability Certification for Companies Opens for Public Comment

Another form of institutionalization of the environment is the ongoing development and diffusion of green standards — in buildings, LEED and Energy Star are the most obvious in the U.S. Moving from green things to green organizations and processes is a logical next step.  It is a next step that has been jointly undertaken by UL Environment in partnership with GreenerBuildings.com’s parent company, Greener World Media.
A new standard for green business practices unveiled today by UL Environment and Greener World Media, publishers of GreenBiz.com, has as its aim the ambitious goal of measuring and certifying the sustainability of manufacturing companies. The two organizations released the draft standard for a 45-day public comment period.

“ULE 880 – Sustainability for Manufacturing Organizations” is a points-based standard that will feature three levels of certification. The 102 indicators aim to measure and rate the sustainability of an entire business, focusing on the full spectrum of social and environmental sustainability rather than the environment.

Read more at Green Biz:

WSPPN Announces Sustainability Conference on October 27-28, 2010 in San Diego

The Western Sustainability and Pollution Prevention Network (WSPPN) annual conference will be held at the Bahia Hotel in San Diego on October 27-28, 2010.  There will be eighteen sessions presented in three tracks.  This year’s keynote speaker is Joel Makower who will be speaking on how mainstream companies are finding new sources of business value through the intersection of sustainability and innovation

The WSPPN conference is recognized as one of the best Pollution Prevention (P2) conferences in the country.  This is due in part to the collaborative nature of the conference that engages many experts in pollution prevention and sustainability and leverages technical and informational resources across the region.  This year’s conference will focus on sustainability, greening operations, emerging issues including greening chemicals and nanotechnology, and energy and green house gas reduction in business including lodging, printing, and personal care products.

Registration opens July 1, 2010.
The cost for the conference is $150.00 per day or $300.00 for the full conference.  These costs will increase on September 20, 2010, so register early and avoid the increase.

BEP Seminar in Fallon: Best Practices for Waste Management and Minimization

Benefit from the knowledge and collective experience, with effective environmental management and improving environmental and business performance, from the University of Nevada, Reno’s statewide Business Environmental Program.

Understanding waste management requirements is essential to business success.  The most successful businesses understand the management and operational approaches that improve performance and reduce costs. 

This seminar delivers the information you need, to not only comply with law, but make the best decisions to manage environmental and operational costs.  The seminar will provide the information you need to properly manage hazardous waste from your operations.  It will convey practical and cost-effective management strategies to minimize waste, conserve water and energy, and increase business and operational efficiency.  It will give you the tools to make the best decisions for improving your business performance.

Pre-registration required.

There is no charge for this seminar

Register on line.

Toll Free:  (866) 638-7232 or (775) 689-6690        E-mail: registration@nsbdcbep.org

Lead Based Paint Certified Renovator Training

Attention remodelers, painters, drywallers, window installers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and anyone else who works on pre-1978 homes and buildings!

Under new EPA rules that went into effect in April, 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, schools, or other buildings where children may be present that were built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to minimize occupants’ exposure to lead hazards.  All individuals performing activities that disturb painted surfaces must be certified renovators or have been trained by a certified renovator.  A certified renovator must also be assigned to each renovation and perform all of the EPA-mandated responsibilities of a certified renovator.

Fines for non-compliance are anticipated to be $5,000 per day per jobsite….or more!

Register today! Class size limited to 15!

This one-day class will give you the EPA-mandated training needed for you and/or your employees to become Certified Renovators and will comply with this new federal law.  For more information on the new lead-based paint law, go to The Builders

Lead Based Paint Certified Renovator Training

 Lead Based Paint Training August 7, 2010

Attention remodelers, painters, drywallers, window installers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and anyone else who works on pre-1978 homes and buildings!

Under new EPA rules that went into effect in April, 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, schools, or other buildings where children may be present that were built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to minimize occupants’ exposure to lead hazards.  All individuals performing activities that disturb painted surfaces must be certified renovators or have been trained by a certified renovator.  A certified renovator must also be assigned to each renovation and perform all of the EPA-mandated responsibilities of a certified renovator.

Fines for non-compliance are anticipated to be $5,000 per day per jobsite….or more!

Register today! Class size limited to 15!

This one-day class will give you the EPA-mandated training needed for you and/or your employees to become Certified Renovators and will comply with this new federal law.  For more information on the new lead-based paint law, go to www.thebuilders.com