Sobuka’s Campaign Platform: Let’s Recycle, Reuse or Re-purpose old campaign signs and stop spending money to pollute the environment I know we all can become overly preoccupied with which candidate to vote for, however, we must not forget about the environment. The truth of the matter is, most homeowners who are uninformed will put their campaign signs in one place after the election, “the garbage”. Therefore, Sobuka is encouraging all candidates for political office as well as citizens to recycle campaign signs at the end of the election process instead of tossing them in the garbage. The important thing is, when we recycle materials such as campaign signs, it keeps waste out of landfills and allows for the reuse of materials. Recycling campaign signs not only saves space at landfills, each ton of recycled paper saves 17 trees and 7,000 gallons of water. Recycled paper also uses 60 percent less energy in comparison to new paper and generates 95 percent less air pollution. Now that you are “informed”, I know you’re excited and want to jump into action, so here’s how you can be part of the solution instead of the problem. What should a person do with a campaign sign after the election is over? The environmentally friendly thing we all can do with old campaign signs is toRECYCLE, REUSE, or RE-PURPOSE. Recycle Broken down corrugated plastic, cardboard signs and metal stakes can be placed into your curbside recycling blue cart. Campaign signs must be free of staples, metal or wood posts and tape. Small wood stakes can be recycled with green waste in counties that have green carts. Drop off small or large corrugated plastic and cardboard signs at the various Recycling Center that take plastic and cardboard. Wood signs and wood frame/stakes can be recycled at centers that take wood. If you have wire frames made of steel or aluminum the metal can be recycled. Standard “H” stakes weigh about .43 lbs which is equal to 12 empty aluminum cans. To find a recycling center in your area please visit Earth911 which is a website where you can search for local recycling centers by entering your zip code. You can also call 1-800-CLEANUP for recycling information in your state. Reuse or Re-purpose Old campaign signs can be turned inside out and written on with markers to make new signs for different occasions such as parties, garage sales or you can even make your own sign supporting your church or charity. Unfortunately, bag signs are not as easy to reuse, but it’s possible. Turn the bag inside out and you can make your new sign. They are a little tricky to write on, but a thick black marker works well. The bag signs can be put into the recycling bins of most municipal collection operations, so that’s another option. If you have a corrugated plastic campaign sign, you can paint over it next time you have a wet paint roller out to cover up the political information. Then you’ll be able to make it a sale sign or other sign you need in the future. Metal “H” Stakes are also good for holding up plants. Just step the stake into the ground and you’ve got the support for your plant. They work great for ivy and tomatoes. You can cut the steel wire at the corners and use them in the future. This is very good material, so it shouldn’t be thrown away. If you’re going to keep the steel wire wickets, they should be properly stored. First, wipe the wicket off with a damp cloth. This will remove dirt that sticks to the wire. Then, store the wire in a place where it won’t get wet. Otherwise, you’ll have a rusty rod that won’t be much good. The steel wickets can also be used to hold up and grow plants as well. If you don’t find any of these suggestions useful you can always return the campaign sign to the candidate’s office. Political candidates are not going to stop ordering campaign signs; they are a vital part of every good political campaign. But, all that material doesn’t need to be wasted. A quick minute of planning, and you can figure out the best use for your old campaign sign. Never forget to vote and Remember Vote for the Environment by choosing Sobuka for your green needs !! More green info? Also enjoy some very cool videos at sobukaTV for more emerging green news. Sobuka can also help you find a green contractor in your area. Search with your zip code and also find out which rebates you may qualify for in your area. Tags: how to recycle campaign signs, re-purpose campaign signs, Recycle campaign Signs,Reuse campaign signsGet Ready to Recycle Campaign Signs
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Get Ready to Recycle Campaign Signs
Need a Job? Think Green!
Are you a recent graduate, recently lost your job or otherwise unemployed and in search of your next opportunity? You should consider joining the green –collar workforce. Green-collar jobs help do more than save the environment; they offer a living wage and opportunities for advancement. According to Green for All, (www.greenforall.org) green collar jobs not only rebuild a strong middle class by paying family wages and providing opportunities for advancement, but also provide pathways out of poverty because they often require less than a four-year degree making them well within reach for lower-skilled and low-income workers as long as they have access to effective training programs and appropriate supports. If you think that a green-collar job may be the way for you to go, check out these local resources: Your local One-Stop Career Center You can also check out these job boards that focus on social or environmental responsibility. Good luck with your job search! Go forth and save the world! ☺ Tags: Business, employment, green-collar
Prince George’s Community College
Northern Virginia Community College
United Communities Against Poverty (PG County)
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
When Snow Gets On Your Panels…
Question: What can you do when snow or ice is on your solar panels? Folks have asked us a lot of questions around this topic especially with this year’s snow storm that broke records along the east coast.
Several recommendations we have heard and also things to consider have been listed below. They are just opinions thrown together and have no bearing by us in rank. We encourage anyone with this type of issue to first contact their installer or licensed solar contractor and/or professional.
1. Make sure that the panels on your roof are tilted. We’ve heard anything from 15 to 40 degrees. If your solar roof is adjustable, you are in much better shape. You can slowly hope for the ice to slide right off as the outdoor temperature increases during the day.
2. You can hit the ice off with a soft football-like object. One blogger came up with this idea. Make sure it’s soft and that you avoid hitting your neighbor. 
Please avoid rocks or anything heavy as to not damage the panels.
3. Use a garden hose or roof rake to clean off any debris. This is the commonly used method until technology improves. If you are using either one, please make sure that the panels are cleaned throughly without smear as best as you can. Avoid damaging the panels if you are doing it yourself. Please contact a professional solar contractor.
4. If you live in a snowy area and are considering installing solar panels, you might want to consider installing a ground mount system. That way you can easily wipe anything off by avoiding far to reach places.
5. Snow may not be a bad thing during the winter. Several sources are saying that snow can actually make the panels more effective. Snow from the surrounding ground can reflect light back to the panels. The cold weather also makes the panels efficient from a molecular prospective.
6. Any guess on technology? There are smart technologies already out there. One company in Germany has created solar panels with self cleaning instruments similar to a wind shield wiper. The language of the article was in German so it was hard for us to translate. We will see if they can translate it for us. If you find any technology out there please feel free to share with us.
7. Wait for the snow to melt. If you are in the part of the world where one day it snows and the next day it’s 80 degrees Fahrenheit, then you are in luck.
8. Find out if your contractor has a maintenance package and/or program. They may be able to provide you with an expert who can assist you with the up keeping of your panels.
More green info? Also enjoy some very cool videos at sobukaTV for more emerging green news. Sobuka can also help you find a green contractor in your area. Search with your zip code and also find out which rebates you may qualify for in your area.
Tags: ice, rake, snow, solar panels, winter
Thinking about switching?
Could it be the fear of hassle or unknown complications that make most DMV residents “stagnant” about choices of alternative renewable energy? Besides mere contentment on current situations, everyone should become more educated about the renewable energy options available to them – especially with the likelihood of them benefiting by saving money on their current energy expenses. As we all continue to be more conscious about wasting energy in our homes we should consider and make inquiries about alternative renewable energy resources. Switching to alternative renewable energy resources such as Solar or Wind are available options to the majority of homeowners.
There are affordable solar installers, wind RECs service providers or energy audit technicians that would love to help anyone to streamline their energy accounts and conserve energy in their households. A few minutes of your time to consult reliable providers such as Clean Currents or Kenergy solar on considerations about electricity supply options will help and educate you on making the right choice.
A D.C resident recently made a complete switch to 100% wind RECs as his energy supplier instead of using PEPCO. The following process lead to him switching to a renewable energy provider:
- Examined current billing charges of cents per KWH (pepco, BGE, etc.)
- Inquired and compared rates from renewable energy provider ( Clean Currents)
- Considered the options available within budget from the renewable energy provider (most likely will have lower rates for residents when compared to local utility company)
- Proceeded with switching process ( simple sign up with energy billing documents)
- Confirmation from parties involved about successful transition and other important information
The transition the resident described was simpler than expected – and I believe others would say the same. As we gradually roll into colder season, so does most budgets adjust and you may see an increase in your utility bills due to heating your home. However, on the other hand if you switch to an alternative renewable energy supplier you can have a lower fixed rate no matter the season. It is alarming to know how far-back we are when it comes to this aspect of technology growth – east coast in general. But the numbers are changing; and it should when there are no significant reasons for staying in an “old system”.
Nothing is perfect nor would anything improve without series of hurdles. Solar energy and wind RECs are reliable energy with good causes and incentives – not to mention a good investment. One important notion about going green is living smart. There is no sense in making these changes in your homes when there isn’t any discipline on daily activities concerning energy usage.
An affordable energy audit will do more than tell you what you might already know but it will also give you specific individual assessments for necessary changes while educating you in the process. Making these choices or having inquired about different alternative energy considerations is one step towards smart green living for all DMV residents.
Sobuka would be glad to assist anyone within the area that considers making the switch. Contact us at info@sobuka.com for assistance.
Tags: Energy Savings, Renewable energy, Residential energy supply switch, Solar Resource, Utility bill audit, Wind RECs providers
Monday, June 27, 2011
Tertia3 System by Keith Ware
The Tertia3 System is one of the most energy efficient systems available and able to provide hot water heating, chilled water cooling, and simultaneously producing unlimited amounts of potable hot water. The Tertia3 System provides these features regardless of the season or atmospheric conditions your home or business experiences. The Tertia3 System is manufactured in the USA. All parts utilized in the Tertia3 System are UL approved and have been thoroughly tested in the HVAC market. The Tertia3 System can be custom designed for any size residence or commercial building. All Tertia3 Systems are capable of modular installations for very large commerical buildings. The custom engineering, precise factory manufacturing specifications, and UL parts combine to provide an industry leading ten year parts and labor warranty.
Tertia3 Systems Advantages
- Saves up to 70% of utility usage/costs
- Ten year parts and labor warranty
- Federal tax credit (30%) with solar option
- Low maintenance
- Quiet operation
- Multi-zone capability
- Utilizes environmentally safe refrigerant
- No outside equipment
- Installation costs of 1/3 less than geothermal systems
- Installation costs comparable to standard high efficiency systems
- 18-36 month return on investment
- Decrease use fossil fuels to heat and cool
How the Tertia3 System Functions
The Tertia3 System is a patent pending refrigerant to water thermal exchange system. Tertia3 uses thermal storage tanks to store hot water, cold water, and hot potable water. The system has energy efficient Scroll compressor, specifically engineered refrigerant to water thermal exchangers, electronic water circulating pumps, and electronic controls. All Tertia3 models have several redundant safety features incorporated in the system design. The specifically engineered storage tanks (4) are coated with high tech ceramic paint that provides thermal insulation values to R-60.
This insulation significantly decreases thermal loss from the storage tanks. The four thermal storage tanks store hot water, chilled water, potable hot water heat exchange coil, and a return water tank. The thermal storage tanks can range in size according to the capacity of indoor air requirements. The Scroll compressor functions using environmentally safe R-410A refrigerant, an environmentally safe refrigerant. The Scroll compressor provides hot and cold refrigerant simultaneously to each specifically engineered thermal exchanger producing hot water up to a temperature of 150 degree Fahrenheit and chilled water of 37 degrees Fahrenheit. The Tertia3 System automatically changes the hot water flow to the thermal storage tank that contains a copper heat exchanger designed to transfer heat to the existing hot water heater. This process takes place automatically and electronically to maintain 125-140 degrees Fahrenheit in the existing hot water heater.
Tertia3 Systems are manufactured in many sizing options. Some of the models and system capacities are listed below:
- T3/5.0 @4.5-6.5 tons
- T3/7.5 @6.0-8.5 tons
- T3/10 @9.5-12 tons
- T3/12.5 @11.5-13.5 tons
- T3/15 @14.0-16.5 tons
- T3/20 @18.5-22 tons
The electronic control section automatically insures water is distributed to thermal storage tanks and each zone (heating/cooling) with specifically engineered 24 volt water valves during the operation of the Tertia3 System. Hydronic heating and cooling coils are installed in each zone of the the existing air ducting system (heat pump, oil furnace, gas furnace, air conditioning) which are then specifically engineered to meet heating and cooling requirements. These hydronic coils transfer heating and cooling into homes and businesses. If the existing system does not have an air ducting system, the Tertia3 can easily be assimilated to the existing water system. In a new construction application, Tertia3 Systems have specifically engineered air handlers which incorporate a variable speed fan and a factory installed hydronic coil for heating and cooling. All heating and cooling functions of the Tertia3 System are connected to the existing thermostat or building control system. Thermostat and building controls will operate as any heating and cooling system control.
The Tertia3 System is distributed and sold to factory and licensed distributors and contractors only. The Tertia System has the following certifications pending: Multiple patents, UL approval, Energy star rating, and ARI rating.
For more information about the Tertia System, please visit Eco-Green or complete the form below:
Tags: ARI rating, Energy Star, Gas, heating, HVAC market, Tertia3 system, UL, utility
Friday, June 24, 2011
JOIN DC GREENWORKS AT DC VEGAN DRINKS
« Back to Events Join dc greenworks at DC Vegan Drinks #25 WEDNESDAY JUNE 29, 7-10 pm Come hear about our work with green roofs, our latest activities and how you can help us green the city! Try out the menu of Bread and Brew along with treats from Sticky Fingers Bakery, while supporting dc greenworks with 10% of the night’s sales. There will also be a raffle of Bread and Brew and Sticky Fingers gift cards and a dc greenworks t-shirt. The dc greenworks TeamJOIN DC GREENWORKS AT DC VEGAN DRINKS
iCal Import 
Bread and Brew
1247 20th Street NW, Washington, DC
Energy Audits for DC Residents
DC residents gets free energy audits, Energy Audits, energy efficiency, energy usage control, Free Energy Audits, Home, Home Energy Audits in DC, Solar Energy thermal image, Washington DC, weatherization, windows Calling all DC Residents!!!! Guess what? If you are a homeowner in the District of Columbia, and your home is a: The program promotes energy efficiency assessments for single family homes in the District. Based on a home energy rating system, auditors will suggest specific cost-effective, energy efficient improvements that should be done to reduce the home’s operational costs and improve comfort. Such improvements and ratings may help you qualify for lower rate mortgages or energy efficiency home mortgages. Your energy rating should also help sellers be more attractive to home buyers. What is a home energy rating? The Home Energy Rating is a standard measurement of a home’s energy efficiency. An energy rating allows a homebuyer to easily compare the energy costs for the homes being considered. A homeowner who wants to upgrade the home’s energy efficiency can use the energy rating to evaluate and pinpoint specific cost-effective improvement needs. Home energy ratings involve an on-site inspection of a home by a residential energy efficiency professional, a home energy rater. DDOE has selected Elysian Energy, LLC to conduct the Home Energy Ratings. As a rule, home energy raters come from either the housing or energy fields. Their backgrounds include experience as home inspectors, appraisers, energy auditors, low-income Weatherization contractors, and energy efficient homebuilders and designers. The home energy rater inspects the home and measures energy characteristics such as: insulation levels, window efficiency, wall-to-wall ratios, the heating and cooling system efficiency, the solar orientation of the home, and the water heating system. Diagnostic testing, which may include a blower door for air leakage and duct leakage testing, is often part of the rating. The data gathered by the home energy rater is entered into a computer program and translated into points. The home receives a point score between 1 and 100, depending on its relative efficiency. An estimate of the home’s energy costs is also provided. The home’s energy efficiency is then equated to a STAR rating ranging from 1 STAR for a very inefficient home to a 5 STAR for a highly efficient home. Along with the rating sheet, homeowners receive a report listing cost-effective options for improving the home’s energy rating. FIVE STAR + (PLUS) = EXTREMELY EFFICIENT One of the major differences between a home energy rating and an energy audit or Weatherization assessment is that the rating is a recognized tool in the mortgage process. Home energy ratings are valuable to the housing industry and can be utilized in a variety of ways. The information derived from the home energy rating provides important information about a home’s performance and the economic analysis necessary to support lending decisions. Sign Up Here for your “Free Home Energy Audit” In addition, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) extends, expands, and simplifies the federal income tax credits for homeowners who make energy efficiency home improvements. The law extends the consumer tax benefits for another year, through 2010; triples the total available tax credit from $500 to $1,500; and increases the tax credit to 30 percent of the cost of each qualified energy efficiency improvement. The law also removes the cap on geothermal heat pumps and solar water heaters through 2016 More green info? Also enjoy some very cool videos at sobukaTV for more emerging green news. Sobuka can also help you find a green contractor in your area. Search with your zip code and also find out which rebates you may qualify for in your area. Tags: Dc residents gets free energy audits, Energy Audits, energy efficiency, energy usage control, Free Energy Audits, Home, Home Energy Audits in DC, Solar Energy thermal image,Washington DC, weatherization, windows
FIVE STAR = VERY EFFICENT
FOUR STAR + + = EFFICIENT
FOUR STAR = GOOD
THREE STAR + + = ABOVE AVERAGE
THREE STAR = AVERAGE
TWO STAR + + = BELOW AVERAGE
TWO STAR = FAIR
ONE STAR + + = POOR
ONE STAR = EXTREMLY POOR
Are you dining green?
Green Certificate, Green Dinning, Green Restaurant Association, Healthy living, Recycle program and composting, Sustainable Environmen Shopping occasionally at organic stores, growing little fruits and vegetables or enjoying more natural provenders are encouraging behaviors that will surely continue to build green-living consciousness to more communities. They would often influence daily practices, improve diets and importantly support eco-living localities. But we sometimes change routine once in a while – enjoying lunches, dinners (healthy of course) in the interest of variety. Still, do you know if restaurants are beginning to or already disciplined in green behaviors like recycling, eliminating styrofoam and more activities of which some may not ever think of beside the aesthetic appearance or choice on menu of “the” restaurant? A long existed and successful non-profit organization, Green Restaurant Association (GRA) has lead the efforts to make restaurants go green and maintain a required minimum level of achievements to identify as a Green Restaurant Certified member. Green Restaurant Association is a Massachusetts-based organization helping restaurants with resourceful solutions that aims to reduce baleful environmental impacts and behaviors. Expanding this trend by consumers being informed, pairs with the standards this organization enforces towards their mission – creating an environmentally sustainable industry. GRA is partnered with various corporations to educate and largely influence the restaurant industry about environmental sustainability and responsibility. Present-day restaurants are assessed for qualification on these categories: Greening restaurants is important because as consumers, we play a significant part not only as a vital piece on the economic consumerism, but also as a balance on sustainability of the environment. Unbeknownst to many, we as consumers weigh heavily on such matters from fast-food chains to sophisticated restaurants; because the pulse of consumers and behavior is the driving force in their businesses. This does not mean boycotting any restaurant but perhaps try to impart greening notions towards their activities and encourage those unaware to join the association. It could be one of your easy thoughts and discussion in your next dinning. Grin to a friend about it, this is a green movement. Tags: Green Certificate, Green Dinning, Green Restaurant Association, Healthy living, Recycle program and composting, Sustainable Environmen
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Green School Supplies Can Help Plane
Now it’s that time of year again. A time for report cards, essays, dances, fieldtrips, assemblies, tuition, finals, freshmen independence, falling asleep in lectures, parties, proms, uniforms, and the list could go on and on. However, I can sum everything up in these familiar four words “Back-To-School-Time”. Back to school time is a time when students become a little smarter and for a majority of them, a time for fun with friends whom they have been separated from all summer but it’s also a time when used school supplies such as notebook paper, plastics pens, plastic markers, and three-ring binders aren’t recycled and contribute to the waste that’s filling up landfills. Even though back-to-school time is a happy and joyous time for students, it can also be a sad and sombrous time for the planet when we choose not to recycle used supplies. However, the Sobuka team strongly believes that we shouldn’t have to choose between joyous students or a sombrous planet during back-to-school-time, but in fact we can have both happy students and a clean planet when we make smarter choices when buying school supplies. Instead of buying traditional school supplies let’s all purchase eco-friendly school supplies because when we add “green” to our school supplies we help contribute to a “greener” planet. The Sobuka Team has provided a few green resources below to help you “Go Green” this school year and a be part of the Solution instead of part of the Problem. Sobuka’s Eco-Friendly School Supplies Buying Guide Recycled Pencils: Paper Mate® EarthWrite™ Recycled Pencils are made from 100% recycled materials, down to the lead and eraser. A Pack of 48 can be purchased from Office Depot. Eco-Friendly Pens: Earth Friendly Pens are made from recycled plastic, recycled paper, corn & vegetable derivative bioplastic, wood and more. They are priced competitively with traditional pens with prices from under $0.50 each to over $8.00 a pen so there is no reason not to “go green” Eco-Friendly Notebook binders: Earth Binder is low impact recycled binders for all your loose-leaf needs. It’s a fully recycled binder made from 100% recycled material: The chipboard is 95%+ post consumer content material, and the spine material is 100% post-consumer content. Recycled Notebook paper: Green Earth Office Supply offers 3-hole punched 100% recycled, 30% post-consumer 100 sheet pack of notebook paper for $1.25. 100% Recycled printer paper: Staples has 100% recycled copier paper sold as a ream or case, processed without using chlorine or chlorine compounds. Eco-Friendly Laptops: If you are in search of a new laptop this school year before you go shopping check out this selection of eco-friendly laptops provided by Discovery Channels Planet Green. Including Dell, HP, Toshiba, Mac, etc. Eco-Friendly Backpacks: Terracycle Drink Pouch Backpack is made from used drink pouches. Each year, billions of used drink pouches fill dumpsters and landfills across the United States and are unable to be recycled. TerraCycle is an industrial waste management company that has launched a campaign to collect these used juice pouches and remake them into new products – a process called ‘upcycling.’ The drink pouches are converted into stylish backpacks, lunchboxes, tote bags, pencil cases, and other items for kids and adults. The backpack is also water-resistant and easily wipes clean with the swipe of a damp sponge. HAVE A GREAT GREEN SCHOOL YEAR!! Get more green resources by entering your zipcode here! Tags: back to school, Going Green with School, Green Back to School, green in schools, Green Notebooks, Green Planet, Green School Supplies, Students going green
NASA Aims for LEED Platinum
As one of the nation’s premier organizations for the advancement of science, NASA really isn’t at the forefront of the latest and greatest in eco-friendly technology. That’s why the agency is making a push to revamp its decades old centers to join the green revolution. The Kennedy Space Center’s (KSC) Propellants North Administrative and Maintenance Facility is being constructed to obtain the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Platinum standard, its highest award for green construction. One of the stringent requirements is to use materials and resources within a 500-mile radius from the construction site. To help it meet this requirement, the construction reused waste concrete from KSC’s demolition projects for its foundation, incorporated the old glazing and framing from the iconic Launch Control Center’s firing room, and added the crushed crawlerway rocks into its landscape. Approximately 95% of all the waste generated during construction has been diverted from landfills. So far, they’ve recycled 475 tons of concrete, 163 pounds of crushed bottles and aluminum cans, 2.16 tons of cardboard, 164 pounds of white paper, 2.3 tons of wood and 3.5 tons of steel. These numbers will only increase as the project nears completion. Our hats off to NASA. At Sobuka, we help homeowners and businesses go green by connecting them to contractors for solar, wind RECs, energy efficiency audits, and any other green remodeling. An energy efficiency audit is the first step you should take to go green. Perform a zipc0de search on our homepage and request a FREE quote from one of our qualified energy efficiency auditors. Be part of the solution to the environment! Story from NASA.gov. Tags: Kennedy Spaceflight Center, LEED Platinum, NASA, USGBC
What’s LEED? An acronym for “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design,” LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system. It verifies a building’s or community’s design and construction used strategies that improved performance in energy savings, water efficiency, and CO2 emissions reduction. It also verifies improved indoor environmental quality, and ensures resources were used in an eco-conscious manner, minimizing their impact on the environment.
Scheduled to open in late December, the 10,703-square-foot facility is designed to be 52% more efficient than traditional commercial buildings. It will have an underground rainwater collection system for irrigation and bathrooms, high-efficiency roofing, windows and walls, air conditioning with energy recovery technology, smart lighting controls, water-conserving bathroom fixtures and high-velocity hand dryers. Natural daylight will be incorporated with high windows at the right solar orientation, and the facility will use polished concrete and laminated bamboo for flooring.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Last Year on VH1
Visit sobuka for more related green articles…
It is not everyday I watch VH1. It’s only been a couple of times in my entire lifetime where I stumbled onto the channel. To recall, last week while finishing up Sobuka related activities, I landed onto the channel. I saw Jane Lynch walk across the isle to the stage with a dozen blond women dressed like her and walking along the isle. It kinda reminded me of the stint a famous rapper pulled off several years ago on MTV.
The VH1 show gave honor to an organization called Do Something (non-profit). Do Something’s mission is to get kids involved into helping others. The organization, through the assistance of CEO Nancy Lubin, has been active throughout the United States and abroad by campaigning via the internet and forming strategic partnerships to get their message across, touching the lives of kids and adults.
The organization’s appearance on VH1 was the first time, I have heard of them. One thing that compelled me to write about it, was the story of Twenty-five year old Mark Rembert, of Wilmington, OH. Mark was honored for helping his community transition to a green economy after a large corporate employer pulled out in 2008. Since Mark launched his company back in 2008, his community has received 1.4 million dollars of direct green investment.
It is encouraging to see young people in our community making an impact and a difference to help our environment. This type of visibility will hopefully encourage other young people in our area to do the same. I leave by sharing a video of CEO, Nancy Lubin’s explanation of Do Something and why she choose a path to volunteer.
More green info? Also enjoy some very cool videos at sobukaTV for more emerging green news. Sobuka can also help you find a green contractor in your area. Search with your zip code and also find out which rebates you may qualify for in your area.
Tags: Do Something, Jane Lynch, Mark Rembert, VH1
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Got Solar?
Still not sure if going green makes business sense? How about this GREEN move by one of the busiest car wash facilities in the Mid-Atlnatic region? The College Park Car Wash has installed a solar thermal system for hot water with no upfront cost!That’s right, this facility is one of many businesses going green in an affordable manner.
College Park Car Wash attained a $4,469 grant from the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) by partnering with Skyline Innovations, a solar PV company that takes care of the entire solar install process from start to finish. Skyline is essentially a utility company specializing in solar power generation, by installing systems at various business establishments.
This car wash uses up to 2,200 gallons of hot water daily, and 30 percent of the electricity used to heat the water will now come from these solar panels [updated:] because the water is now heated with the solar water heater, the car wash will consume 30 percent less electricity than before. That’s approximately $370 to $400 of monthly savings on the electric bill. The car wash pays monthly for the installation costs, and still manages to save $55 to $60 each month. There’s no reason why others should think access to GREEN is not affordable!
The MEA’s Mid-Sized Solar Grant program has 12 approved projects for solar photovoltaic systems throughout the state. These projects are estimated to add 244 kilo-watts (kW) of clean renewable electricity to Maryland’s grid, and save approximately 70 mega-watt-hours (MWh) annually.
Sobuka helps businesses and homeowners connect with green contractors, enabling them to be part of the environmental solution. Go to our homepage, enter your zipcode, and find green contractors in near you for your solar/wind energy solutions, or for a simple energy efficiency audit, or even green remodeling providers.
Tags: college park, Maryland Energy Administration, skyline innovations, solar car wash