DONSCYCLEWARE.COM IS GOING GREEN

2007-09-27T13:04:00.000-07:00

GOING GREEN

While repackaging our last large delivery I became aware of the huge amount of needless waste and ancillary pollution even a small business generates. We pay to have tons of packaging material:

Manufactured
Shipped halfway around the world
Trucked halfway across the United States

Then we throw it away and it is:

loaded into a trash truck
loaded into a train
Dumped in a landfill

Then we package our products and the cycle is repeated.
The electricity we use causes waste and pollution. Most of our electric is generated by a Nuclear plant in Callaway Missouri or coal fired plants. The generation of this electric is responsible for creating a stream of waste and pollution across the US as fuel is mined, processed and used and the resulting waste is disposed of.

The amount of fuel wasted and pollution generated is astounding.

I have decided to do what I can to reduce the amount of waste and pollution generated as part of doing business.

The effort isn’t free of cost however the impact we alone can make is impressive:

Reduce packaging waste

Whenever possible reduce bulk packs and over packs; order products in individual containers than can be used to ship the products.

Use recycled packaging materials

Use packaging materials that can be recycled

My cost: Approximately $500 per year

Pollution reduction = 1400 pounds solid waste. Air pollution = can’t calculate, estimated to be Two tons.

Reduce transportation

Encourage customers to combine shipping by offering shipping discounts.
My cost: 0

Pollution reduction = Air pollution; can’t calculate, estimated one ton.

Reduce energy use
Use high efficiency lighting and appliances.
Monitor and control energy usage.
Improve insulation.
My cost: Short term : $400 long term over five years 0, after that approximately $90 / year savings.

Pollution reduction = 1 MWh / year X 800 pounds = 800 pound reduction.

Use green energy

Enroll in the voluntary renewable energy program. This program costs 1.5 cents per kilowatt hour to purchase electric produced in regional wind and renewable energy generation facilities.
My cost: based on 10.8 kilowatt hours per year : $162 a year.
According to Ameren UE the average customer who enrolls will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 19500 pounds. Equivalent to driving a car for two years.

Estimated five year totals
Air pollution reduction 131,500 pounds
Solid waste reduction 7000 pounds
Cost $3310

It’s worth fourteen bucks a week to me to make a huge reduction in the amount of pollution generated.

We only have one planet. I encourage you to do your part. As a business owner or individual you can make a big difference for little or no investment.

Here are some good ideas that save money and reduce your impact on the planet:

Ride your motorcycle instead of that gas hog pick up or SUV. It's fun cheap and clean!

Turn off the lights when you leave a room.

Switch over to CFL lighting.

IF YOU WANT TO DO BUSINESS WITH SOMEONE WHO IS DOING THEIR PART CHECK OUT: http://DONSCYCLEWARE.COM for your motorcycle gear.

NOTES:

1. The factors used in my calculation were obtained from various generally available sources on the internet. I encourage you to research this subject yourself and draw your own conclusions.

Some links are:

http://www.ameren.com/aboutus/adc_au_Callaway.asp

http://www.ameren.com/PurePower/

http://lungaction.org/reports/sota04_region5.html

http://www.knowyourpower.net/coal_pollution/default.aspx

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls