Sustainability Connected

A lot of the research Sustianable 1000 did in Colorado ended up being related to how the effort has to be a combined one so, I thought it would be interesting to look at how recycling and sustainability is doing internationally. After all, we all live on one planet.

Through The Beareau of Internation Recycling, I was able to find some pretty interesting facts. The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) is the only global recycling industry association representing more than 700 companies and 40 affiliated federations from 70 different countries. Its members are world leaders in the supply of raw materials and a key pillar for sustainable economic development

Living in granola Washington State, I was always told to recycle, but I never really understood how significant an impact everyday acts can have.
Here are some of the more surprising facts listed on the website:

1. Of all collected textiles, 50% are reused and 50% are recycled

2. Almost 40% of the world's need for copper is met by recyling

3. Recyling a single plastic bottle can save enough energy to power a 60-watt bulb for up to 6 hours

4. Recycling paper saves 65% of the energy needed to make new paper

5. An average stainless steel product is composed of about 60% recycled material

6. Scrap tires used as feul can produce the same amout of energy as oil and about 25% more than coal

Pretty amazing...

Colorado Green Radio - June 4, 2010 - Sustainability & Community

The pre-recorded radio show broadcast live on June 4, 2010 with call-ins and social media interaction for questions. The Colorado section starts at the 1 hour mark. Sustainable 1000 Green Radio covered two states on this day. Our focus was exploring how community and sustainability connect with each other. Our Colorado guests included (in order of introduction):

Meaghan Carabello

Goodwill Industries

www.goodwilldenver.org
 

Karl Jolliff

Community Partnerships

Adams State College

http://www.adams.edu
 

Matthew Harris

Solar Energy International

http://www.solarenergy.org 

Resources mentioned:
http://dsireusa.org
http://earth911.org

The Green World of Boulder: Small Town Center’s Dilemma

There is so much green happening in Boulder, Colorado. I am a loss to describe it all, so I will start small. Each video will introduce a character who is working to green their work and life in various ways. This on-going web video series will describe the main characters of Colorado in the sustainability space. Sustainable1000 is finding this land immeasurably charming and fantastically green.

Independence stands out as a big player in this theater of verde. The other character is the earth. With nature everywhere, there is a desire to preserve it I think. Lastly is the character of activity.

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I was out in a small town 10 minutes north of Boulder waiting around for an interview at an organic farm. The tiny town had revamped its historic 1.5 block of old building with nice signs and a charming design, but no one was coming out there anymore. People live all around them but the city center of Boulder draws everyone away from this little place. I wonder about this puzzle.

How do we make small centers around the outskirts of larger towns attractive?

Technorati Tags: eco,green,Boulder,Small,Town,Center,Dilemma,Colorado,life,series,Independence,player,earth,View,Larger,People,outskirts,towns

Flickr Tags: eco,green

GREEN MEDICINE: Featured Interview for June 1, 2010

Kai Abelkis has been Boulder Community Hospital’s Sustainability Coordinator since 1999. To minimize the hospital’s environmental footprint, Kai is responsible for reducing waste, conserving energy, promoting alternative transportation, utilizing alternative energy sources, conserving water, integrating environmental preferable purchasing, green building practices eliminating latex and PVC from the product line and educating staff. Their Foothills hospital was the first LEED certified medical facility in the world. BCH is part of a growing choir of medical institutions who recognize that the health of our environment is directly connected to the health of our community.

Kai has been recognized around the world as a leading voice in the efforts to create a more sustainable industry. He sits on Colorado’s Pollution Advisory Committee, City of Boulder’s Climate Advisory Group, and a Board member of the Boulder East Transportation Management Organization. Kai has worked with Novation and medical manufacturers on implementing sustainable practices. He is currently working with University of Nebraska, University of Maryland, Calgary Health, and Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula and others on their sustainability efforts.

While at the Boulder Creek Festival over Memorial Day Weekend, I noticed this organization, Protect Wild Utah, that is protecting wilderness in Utah. The booth was crowded too. I like that Colorado cares about its neighbors. This makes sense from a sustainability perspective.

As we consider what is happening in our homes, then neighborhoods, then cities, then counties, states, regions, our countries, multi-national alliances, and finally the world, this thinking will allow us to plan organizations, governments and communities to fully guage their impacts.

Where are we in Colorado

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