GLRPPR Sector Resources Recent Documents

The eGallon: How Much Cheaper Is It to Drive on Electricity?

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:26:31 GMT

How much does it cost to commute to work or drive across town? The price of gasoline is posted at every corner gas station, but what about the cost of driving on electricity? The Department of Energy's eGallon provides a quick and simple answer to this question and allows electric vehicle (EV) drivers to see how much they can save on fuel by using electricity instead of gasoline.

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Portland State University Solid Waste Assessment Report

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:14:28 GMT

With the goal of providing recommendations for improving waste diversion and reduction efforts on campus, university staff sorted through 690 pounds of campus garbage to find out what portion of materials could have been diverted from the landfill through recycling and composting, or avoided altogether by using durable goods. Recommendations to lower the percentage of materials that could have been composted (35 percent) and recycled (13 percent) include increased collection and education, enhanced recycling infrastructure and signage, and replacing restroom paper towels with efficient air hand driers.

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Buildings Performance Database

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:36:13 GMT

The Buildings Performance Database (BPD) unlocks the power of building energy performance data. The platform enables users to perform statistical analysis on an anonymous dataset of tens of thousands of commercial and residential buildings from across the country. Users can compare performance trends among similar buildings to identify and prioritize cost-saving energy efficiency improvements and assess the range of likely savings from these improvements.

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Energy Efficiency in Water and Wastewater Facilities: A Guide to Developing and Implementing Greenhouse Gas Reduction Programs

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:22:24 GMT

This guide describes how water and wastewater facilities can lead by example and achieve multiple benefits by improving the energy efficiency of their new, existing, and renovated buildings and their day-to-day operations. It is designed to be used by facility managers, energy and environment staff, local government officials, and mayors and city councils. Readers of the guide should come away with an understanding of options to improve the energy efficiency of water and wastewater facilities. Readers should also understand the steps and considerations involved in developing and implementing these energy efficiency improvements, as well as an awareness of expected investment and funding opportunities.

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Materials Sustainability Index

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 20:31:21 GMT

The Materials Sustainability Index (MSI) is a cradle-to-gate index informed by life cycle assessment (LCA) derived inventory data to engage product design teams and the global supply chain of the apparel and footwear products in environmental sustainability. The MSI was originally developed by Nike and is a result of more than eight years of materials research and analysis. In July 2012, it was adapted by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) and incorporated into the Higg Index, a tool that measures the environmental and social performance of apparel and footwear products. The MSI web tool integrates and visualizes the data and methodology of the MSI (Base Material Scores only) and enables the SAC and stakeholders to submit, review, publish and compare material data and scores. The complete MSI dataset is open source and the vision is to evolve this tool into a "Federated Wiki" that will further empower collaboration and data transparency across the apparel and footwear industry.

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Objection Handling: A Professional's Guide to Overcoming Objections to Sustainability Adoption and Implementation

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 19:29:36 GMT

This paper outlines not only how to 'win over' objectors, but also how to effectively present and implement sustainability initiatives through an understanding of psychological mindsets and principles of organizational change.

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Sustainia100

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 15:06:21 GMT

Sustainia100 is an annual guide to 100 innovative solutions from around the world that presents readily available projects, initiatives and technologies at the forefront of sustainable transformation. Identifying 100 innovative, sustainable solutions in 10 key sectors, spanning from energy, transportation to fashion, food and education. Sustainia100 gives investors, regional developers, business leaders, politicians, and consumers in-depth insights to the most promising projects and technologies within their field

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Center for Corporate Climate Leadership Case Studies

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 14:38:29 GMT

These case studies highlight some of the efforts by Climate Leaders Partners to reduce their GHG emissions during their participation in the program. Although the program has been phased down, these case studies continue to serve as a useful source of information for organizations looking for practical and innovative ideas to reduce their own GHG emissions.

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Center for Corporate Climate Leadership

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 14:37:23 GMT

EPA's Center for Corporate Climate Leadership serves as a resource center for all companies looking to expand their work in the area of GHG measurement and management. The Center was launched in 2012 to establish norms of climate leadership by encouraging companies with emerging climate objectives to identify and achieve cost-effective GHG emission reductions, while helping more advanced companies drive innovations in reducing their greenhouse gas impacts in their supply chains and beyond. The Center also recognizes exemplary corporate, organizational, and individual leadership in addressing climate change by co-sponsoring The Climate Leadership Awards with the Association of Climate Change Officers, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, and The Climate Registry, and serving as the Climate Leadership Conference headline sponsor.

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Rare Earth Elements and Recycling Possibilities

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 14:30:43 GMT

Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of 17 metallic elements mined in ores containing low quantities of REEs. They have particular properties essential to many industries. REEs are key components of clean energy and high-tech growth industries, and are therefore considered a critical raw material. REEs are imported into the European Union (EU) from a very limited number of producers. Until recently, China has been almost the sole supplier of REEs to the rest of the world. Demand for REEs is high and steadily growing, since more and more products include REEs. The REE market is therefore of economic and geopolitical importance. Alternatives to the primary supply of REEs from mined ores are being developed to bring relief to the REE market. Recycling of REEs, from materials used in spent products, provides a secondary supply. However, closing the REE "life-cycle" is a technological challenge, due to the specific uses and properties of the elements. Recycling REEs is still at an early stage.

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