Sustainability: Program Specific Resources

Everyday, our decisions and actions matter...  Consider the following:

• Incinerating 10,000 tons of waste creates one job; landfilling 10,000 tons of waste creates six jobs; recycling 10,000 tons of waste creates 36 jobs. ( EPA, "Resource Conservation Challenge: Campaigning Against Waste," EPA 530-F-02-033, 2002
• Manufacturing one ton of office and computer paper with recycled paper stock can save between 3,000 and 4,000 kilowatt hours over the same ton of paper made with virgin wood products. (EPA)
• Recycling a single aluminum can saves enough energy to power a TV for three hours. (Pepsi)
• Producing new plastic from recycled material uses only two-thirds of the energy required to manufacture it from raw materials. (EPA)
• Recycling one ton of cardboard saves over nine cubic yards of landfill space.
• Etc!!!  Find more than 100 facts in the document below!

There are many, many sites dedicated to Green Business.  Here are a few links  and guides that are particularly helpful.  If you find another great resource, please let us know!

Small Business Association - Green Business Guide The online guide includes:  Green Marketing, Green Business Case Studies, Green Business Practices, Green Certification and Ecolabeling, Green Marketing Regulations, America's Green Cities, Environmental Grants & Loans, Green Commuting, Green Product Development and Energy Efficiency.

Green Business, Santa Barbara County  The Green Business Program provides incentives and assistance to encourage businesses to implement voluntary actions to protect, preserve, and improve the environment beyond what current laws require.  Business meeting these criteria can be certified as green businesses within the county.  The program provides:  guidebooks, resources and assistance; certifies businesses through on-site visits and evaluation; and highlights certified businesses so that local consumers can shop green. 

Stark State College will soon have 5 certified green buildings.  Why not use these buildings and the principles behind their design to educate for sustainability?  USGBC teamed up with Second Nature to create a guide for integrating green buildings into any curriculum.  Advancing Education for Sustainability:  Teaching the Concepts of Sustainaibility to All Students  (Curriculum examples begin on p. 21)

The Sustainable Performance Institute posts free ppt presentations on Green Building and business practices for offices affiliated with the building and construction industry.  They are available at:  http://www.slideshare.net/Aarongrt/slideshows/2