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Does Your Company Recycle Electronics? 

10/13/2015

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If so, your customers may soon start asking whether it is R2:2013 certified.  While this certification is fairly new, many industry leaders have adopted it which may influence your ability to re-sell or recycle their electronics.  As a key component of the standard, downstream vendors that process electronics from other, upstream companies that are R2 certified will be expected to meet certain standards for product quality and responsible recycling practices.

Even if R2:2013 certification looks like a distant possibility for your company right now, get ahead of the curve by setting up your ISO 14001 environmental management system and OHSAS 18001 health and safety systems now.  The R2 Standard requires accreditation to both of these standards or to RIOS in order to receive certification, and these certs also have their own benefits.  Having an internationally-recognized certification proving you have systems to manage your environmental, health, and safety issues can only benefit your company in the long run whether or not you choose to pursue additional certifications to increase your ability to do business.  

For more information on the R2:2013 Standard, view SERI's website here:  https://sustainableelectronics.org/

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Energy Efficiency Rebates Moving to Mid-Stream Vendors

9/21/2015

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As of July 1, 2015, SCE has announced that the one-for-one conventional to LED light bulb upgrade is only eligible for commercial customer rebates through mid-stream distributors.  What this means is that in the same way that you can get a rebate on an efficient refrigerator for your home directly through the vendor you purchase it from, the same now applies for approved vendors you buy your LED lamps from for your business.  Instead of an application process, these rebates will now be applied on your purchase at the point of sale from these SCE-approved vendors.  

As this significantly reduces the need for rebate application support in most situations, we'll be limiting our rebate application service to existing customers and new customers already bundled with our traditional consulting services effective the 2016 calendar year.  Still need help identifying energy efficiency solutions that make sense for your business?  We recommend contacting us for a general sustainability assessment to get the most value for your service.  

For more information about the upcoming changes to energy efficiency rebates in the coming year, visit the SCE website directly at sceonlineapp.com  

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Laundry Poster Giveaway!

4/30/2015

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As a special web exclusive, here is a free laundry poster download containing a variety of helpful sustainability tips.  Post it up in any common laundry room to make sure users save you water and energy, and minimize pollution impacts with their laundry habits.  Enjoy!

Having trouble seeing the preview below?  Click here to download this free PDF file.  Be sure to contact Sundowner for a quote if you have additional custom sustainability signage needs!
sundowner_laundry_signage.pdf
File Size: 272 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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Ramada Santa Barbara Designated Gold Certified Green Lodging Property

1/22/2015

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Ramada Santa Barbara was recently designated a Gold Certified Green Lodging Property by environmental nonprofit Audubon International.

The hotel is the first in Santa Barbara and the sixth in California to receive certification from Audubon International.

The hotel’s environmental highlights include a pool heated by solar panels, electric vehicle charging stations, LED lighting, permeable pavers, water-conserving fixtures and plates made from sugarcane.

"Because we care about our local community, we're constantly looking for new ways to reduce our environmental footprint," Ramada Santa Barbara general manager Tom Patton said. "Earning a gold-level certification through Audubon International allows us to further communicate this environmental commitment to our guests, and provides great encouragement to our staff to keep up the great work."

Sundowner Sustainability Consulting, a Santa Barbara-based company, is also thrilled with Ramada Santa Barbara's latest environmental achievement. As the hotel's consultants during Ramada Santa Barbara's successful bid to achieve Green Business Certification through Santa Barbara County last year, Sundowner continued to partner with Ramada to ensure its best practices were highlighted throughout the Audubon International review process.

"Ramada's willingness to adopt green practices whenever feasible has really helped solidify their position as a local environmental leader in the hospitality industry," Sundowner Sustainability managing partner Ellie Perry said. "It's been a pleasure to see how quickly they continue to evolve and innovate with each environmental certification they pursue."

Ramada Santa Barbara is one of 64 Audubon International Certified Green Lodging Properties around the United States and the Caribbean. Certified properties are rated in the categories of Communication and Education; Waste Reduction, Reuse, and Recycling; Water Conservation, Energy Efficiency, and Indoor Air Quality. To earn certification, all properties receive a site visit by an Audubon International staff member and undergo a recertification process every three years.

“Ramada Santa Barbara demonstrates a clear passion for adopting measures to lower their environmental impact,” said Katie Hopkins, director of communications at Audubon International. “From the installation of electric vehicle charging stations to incentivizing staff to use alternative transportation, Ramada Santa Barbara is setting a great example in the Santa Barbara community.”

For the full press release, see Noozhawk's article here. 

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ISO14001 is Changing in 2015!

11/5/2014

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ISO 14001 is changing in 2015!  ISO 14001 is an international standard for creating an environmental management system.  If your company manufactures products, deals with suppliers/vendors or customers that are certified, or simply wants to improve its corporate image, an environmental management system may be a good fit for you.  But act quickly!  The standard will be changing in 2015, so this is your last opportunity to lock in your certification for the next three years under the current revision.  


Read on for more information on the ISO 14001 certification or click here to see how Sundowner's coaching services can help
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