Fun and Rewarding Places to Work!

By Todd Ufferman | Published: November 3, 2011

Seems like we are all pretty quick to criticize corporate America and assume that big employers are bad employers.

It is great to catch a company doing something good for both the Earth and their employees by promoting making buildings where they work and live more environmentally friendly.    Here is a shining example – Clif Bar and Company , manufacturer and distributor of all kinds of healthy and great tasting bars and drinks.

In addition to incentives for taking public transportation, buying commuter bikes, and buying the most fuel efficient cars on the market, Cliff Bar employees can get up to $1,000 for eco-home improvements!   Nice way to practice what they preach and support making good choices both at work and at home.

Clif Bar understands the value of both human and natural capital but, true to form for a company that was “started on a bike ride”, do not sing their own praises.   I read about Cliff Bar and Company and went to their site to see how they presented their employee benefits and this is all I found:

“Clif Bar & Company is a pretty neat place to go to work every day.  If you like tasty food, nice people and lots of interesting challenges, we’d love to hear from you.  Did we mention there’s a rock-climbing wall?”

Clif Bar founder Gary Erickson (left) and his wife, co-owner Kit Crawford on the climbing wall.

My friend Dr. Andrea Cook told me about programs at the California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE) – an awesome San Diego company that really walks the walk.    CCSE did their own upgrade to their space and installed motion sensor lights, high efficiency bathrooms with waterless urinals, quick air dry for hands, and have reverse osmosis water onsite and always available.  In addition, they have a monthly “Green Award” monthly given to an employee who is recognized (caught) doing something green that goes above and beyond (or is out of character).

-Ruth

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Can’t Recycle? Upcycle it!

By Todd Ufferman | Published: November 3, 2011

We try so hard to be responsible and only buy things that come in recyclable containers and packaging.   But what do you do with the hard to recycle stuff or the things no one will take?

I found this great company, Terracycle, that is trying to eliminate the whole idea of waste.   They are signing people up to collect anything from pens to juice boxes to candy wrappers to cork to cell phones to key boards and back again.   They pay for you to ship it to them and then they “upcycle it” (turn it into a cool new product or material).

Here’s an example of a cool upcycling project.   Terracycle created the Drink Pouch Brigade.   They collected over 50 million drink pouches and turned them into upscale items like tote bags and Christmas tree skirts.  Over a million dollars from the sale of those items went to schools, charities, and nonprofits.   Not bad.

The Terracycle Tree-Skirt

In 2010 Terracycle set up what they called a “pop shop” in New York City’s Port Authority – a place where anyone could drop off hard to recycle items and buy upcycled items.  That is spreading some goodwill!

Pop-Up Shop in NYC Port Authority

-Dan

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The K3 Wind and Solar Device Charger

By Todd Ufferman | Published: November 2, 2011
This blog post features a new product we have been messing around with at the office for the past few weeks. I will give you a quick review of our experience with the K3 Wind and Solar Portable Device Charger.
The first thing I noticed was the K3 is very easy to operate; just set it out in the sun during the day and let the elements do all the work. When you need a charge on your device and do not have your wall charger with you or you are away from an outlet you simply pull the cord out of the built-in storage area, then plug into the USB port on the charger, finally plug in the correct tip to your phone and watch as your device charges up (according to the instructions you are supposed to give it a full charge from the wall first).
According the the K3 website, the charger is “ideal for mobile phones, iPods/mp3 players, iPhone, smartphones/PDAs, portable gaming devices, GPS units, digital cameras, Bluetooth headsets, and more.” I intend to use mine mostly as a supplemental charge for my cell phone.
The design of the K3 allows you to prop it in many different posistions to take advantage of the the angle of the sun. I also found a good way to put the K3 in the back window of my car. I drive with the windows down most of the time so the wind turbine can work on my commute.
One negative thing that I accidentally found out  was when I made the mistake of falling asleep with my phone plugged in to the charger and woke up to a dead battery in th K3. This made me use the wall charger once again to refill the K3, thus eliminating the benefits of using the sun to power my cell phone. I also figured out that if I want a good charge from the K3, it needs to be fully charged from the sun, wind, or wall before plugging it into your device. I tried to charge my phone with a half full battery in the K3 and it didn’t last very long.
Overall, I recommend the K3 Charger as a good, quality, portable mobile device charger. I can’t wait to take it with me on my next camping trip – I’ll no longer have to worry about conserving my cell phone battery!
Amazon page featuring the K3.
Positives: Durable, Wind AND Solar, USB port and multiple tip options, LED lights show battery life, Looks cool(there is also a black color option), Unique
Negatives: A little bulky, takes more time to charge than expected, relatively short phone charging time.
Ideal Uses: Camping, car travel, take it to work for that “mid-day boost,” backpacking, etc…
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The Big “Green” Apple

By Todd Ufferman | Published: November 1, 2011

My recent trip to the Big Apple led to some very unexpected discoveries along the way. Having never visited New York I had no idea what to expect and frankly, I was not expecting good things in the realm of sustainability. I immediately think of mass consumption, millions of cars, old inefficient buildings, and a mindset of profit over the good of the surroundings.

Just to let you know, I was not seeking out the so-called “green” places in the city nor did I do any research prior to my visit. I also know and have learned that New York and the Northeast is leading the way when it comes to sustainability. I was just a plain old tourist checking out the city. Here are some things I found that impressed me along the way.

First off, the public transportation system is in a class of its own. According to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority ”MTA subways, buses, and railroads provide 2.6 billion trips each year to New Yorkers.” You can get wherever you want in the city without ever needing a car.

Another thing I noticed was the importance of public green space and the unique way some people have created a beautiful landscape out of a so-called concrete jungle. Everyone knows about Central Park but we discovered a relatively new creation called the High Line.

 

High Line Water Feature

It’s a stunningly designed piece of art/urban park. Basically, it is an old elevated rain line that has been inoperable since 1980. In 2009, Friends of the High Line in a partnership with the City of New York opened the elevated public park. They have preserved the sense of the old rail line by keeping much of the old track and designing the landscape around it. “It features an integrated landscape, designed by landscape architects James Corner Field Operations, with architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro, combining meandering concrete pathways with naturalistic plantings. Fixed and movable seating, lighting, and

special features are also included in the park.”

The High Line

 

I also ran across a few businesses that seem to be leading their peers by making their surrounding environment a priority. We stopped in the  Brooklyn Brewery for some tastings and a tour. They recently expanded their brewing operations and were operating a very impressive business in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood. We tried a few different beers and even though I am turned off by odd flavors in beer I was very happy with the Pumpkin Ale. During our tasting I noticed that they advertised these cool compostable cups. This lead me to do some more research and I also found out that “the company’s brewery and headquarters in Brooklyn are 100% powered by Newwind Energy.”

 

Cool Cups at the Brooklyn Brewery

 

New Expansion at the Brooklyn Brewery

 

Finally, we went to a very cool burger joint called Shake Shack. I had a burger and shake and they were excellent but what really stood out was a wall explaining their history and dedication to “going green.” They purchase wind power credits to offset 100% of their electricity and they also practice on-site composting and they recycle used cooking oil. In the construction of the building they used a plethora of sustainable building materials: walls made of fiberboard, wheat board tabletops and trash cans, ceiling tiles made from renewable wood, LED low voltage light fixtures, and they “introduced a green wall(recyclable modular unit and pre-grown living system) that will remain in bloom year round.”

Overall, I was very impressed with the dedication to sustainability shown by the people of New York – keep up the good work!

 

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A Lesson on Power Outages and Growing Up

By Todd Ufferman | Published: September 12, 2011

Power outage in San Diego County, September 8th, 2011 by Sean M. Haffey

 

It began at the office when us employees thought we were losing our minds, having a seizure, or both. The lights flickered, then poof, we were in the dark. Considering that it was already 3:30 PM, we thought this was a perfect opportunity to wrap things up for the day and head home early.  Lucky for us, nearly 5 million other people thought the same thing, which made the drive home thrilling as we inched along in traffic (It took around 2 hours to drive 16 miles).

Recap of the outage

While everyone was sitting in traffic pondering their day or the beautiful weather, we realized that we may be in for an extended blackout. The San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) news conference didn’t  provide any positive news as they still had no idea what had happened; all they could tell us initially is that it was triggered in Arizona, a terrorist attack was very unlikely, and it could be 24-48 hours before the power was restored. Most people weren’t too concerned, as work and school would most likely be canceled on Friday, making for two 3-day weekends in a row and an opportunity to stay up and have some fun in the dark!
Once we arrived safe and sound at home, our feelings went from the relief from being off the road and not having to work the next day, to anxiety and a feeling of being unprepared for what could be a long few days. I had no cash and ATMs would be down, the gas light was on in my car, and my cell phone battery was on its last leg (not to mention, I couldn’t watch the NFL season opener). We were down to our last few drinks from our large jugs of purified water and already hearing about boil alerts in parts of the county. We only had two candles, but luckily, we bought a handy LED camping lantern a few days prior. Coming from someone who sells the Emergency Power Kit and wrote a blog about being prepared weeks ago, I was drastically under-prepared and kicking myself for not keeping one of those kits in my car or utility closet.
This outage proves to me how reliant we are on electricity and how lucky we are to have steady sources of power here in the States. Now, I could go without TV, cell phones, internet, and video games for as long as needed (and I’m sure most people could as well) but I take for granted other things that electricity provides. Fresh water, sewage treatment, smooth traffic, street lights, lighting at home, emergency services, and food storage are all things I can say I would miss greatly.
With that said, I am going to make a conscious effort to be more prepared and responsible when it comes to emergencies; I think it’s about time I invest in a good flashlight, candles, some sort of water purification device, maybe a small reserve of cash, first aid kit, and the Emergency Power Kit sitting in my office.
I know this looks bad; my mother probably thinks I can’t take care of myself and would be better off back in my parent’s basement.
This relatively small inconvenience has proven that I have grown too comfortable; and it takes a potentially catastrophic event, like this blackout, to bring me back to Earth and realize that something like this can happen at any moment.
Luckily, our good friends and neighbors provided us with the essentials – candles, chips and salsa, beer, and wine got us through the night!
For the real essentials to get you out of the dark click here. 
(A big thank you is in order for all of the power company workers, the police force, EMT staff, firefighters, and others for helping us through the outage and getting things back in order in no time!)
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Small Green Homes

By Todd Ufferman | Published: September 6, 2011

My interest in modular eco-friendly homes grew when I ran across some modular home companies at West Coast Green last year in San Francisco. That interest was pushed to the back of my mind until I ran across this story of a 16 year old building a self-contained “tiny green home” in his parents backyard because he, like most teenagers, “wanted to move out.”

Teenager Builds Tiny Home

That is not his only reason however. In this short video showcasing his house, the young man sites all sorts of economical and environmental reasons behind starting his project. He was happy about owning a home but not worrying about paying a mortgage. The small size also limits the amount of electricity and other utilities, saving money in the process. He was able to greatly reduce the amount of waste produced during construction due to the small scale of construction(he only had two trash cans of waste from one year of construction). Almost all of the materials used in construction have been reclaimed from salvage yards or donated from friends, the framing lumber was the only material purchased new as it was needed for the structure of the house. He estimates the total project costing $12,000.

This led me to asking the question: who is doing this on a larger scale? I rummaged through the internet and discovered many cool companies involved in the modular home business, and nearly all of them are focused on making their homes as efficient and eco-friendly as possible while keeping the associated costs for the consumer down(sections of the home are built in factories and loaded on a truck then assembled in a few days at the site – this allows the builder to reduce the cost of construction). Keywords and phrases that keep popping up when I search modular homes include: smart design, passive solar, simplify, healthy, water conservation, cheaper, solar, wind, thermal, easier, and flexible just to name a few. All of these terms are related to conservation and efficiency; Everyday we are told to be conservative with our resources in order to be more sustainable so why not become more conservative, economical, and efficient while building our homes. Here are some of the companies I discovered that are doing just that:

  • Alchemy Architects have designed the Weehouse using an ultra modern modular home that can be constructed fast and easy. They just developed a “net-zero” WeeHouse in Moab, Utah that will produce as much energy as it uses.
  • The modular homes featured at tinygreencabins.comcan be built on a trailer bed so that if you would like to take your home with you, you could hitch up the trailer and be on your way. They also offer non-toxic options, organic certified material, locally harvested lumber, steel framing, and recycled products. The cabins can also be customized with solar panels and solar hot water heaters.
    Wildfire Tiny House
  • Green Pod Development builds compact custom modular homes built for energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and sustainability. The SoloPod “features innovative designs and artful furnishings.”
  • And finally, Bluhomes, they claim that their “highly efficient, innovative steel-framed homes cost on average 50-70 percent less to operate on a monthly basis than conventional homes.”
    My personal favorite – The Glidehouse Bluhome
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Knowledge….The Latest Renewable Energy Tool

By Ruth | Published: August 3, 2011

 

This costs less than $40!

We all know that using solar and wind as a source, can help you create your own power leading to less energy being pulled from the grid.  Unfortunately, not everybody has the means or ability to install solar panels or a wind turbine.  Here is something you can do!

 Centerpoint Energy and U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman found out that just knowing how much energy you are using can help you dramatically reduce your energy usage and bill.  Centerpoint Energy installed smart meter In Home Displays into homes of a test group, and received incredible results.  Just having your daily usage, including what every appliance is using at that moment, displayed in front of you drastically changes people’s actions regarding energy usage.  Homes with the IHD (In Home Display), saw incredible changes in usage by doing everything from turning off the lights when leaving a room to adjusting the thermostat to replacing “antique” appliances.

The findings of this study fit right in with our philosophy.  Putting in a solar system or a wind turbine is not the magic wand that allows you to lower your electric bill or your carbon footprint, but making changes, even small ones, can have some of the greatest impact.  So maybe the saying should be “Knowledge Saves Power”.  Try testing your appliances, large and small, with some kind of Watt meter.    You might be surprised!

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You Can Put Solar on Anything These Days

By Colin Johnson | Published: July 12, 2011

Those brainiacs at MIT have done it again! An article in MIT News on July 11 reported that a team of researchers, led by Professor of Chemical Engineering Michael Kasser and Professor of Electrical Engineering Vladimir Bulović , have created a process that allows them to print solar cells as cheaply and easily as a word document on your inkjet printer.

Graduate student Miles Barr hold a flexible and foldable array of solar cells that have been printed on a sheet of paper. Photo: Patrick Gillooly via MIT News

This new technique represents a major step in how photovoltaic cells are created, allowing producers to literally turn paper and fabric into power producing materials. The new process utilizes vapors, not liquids, and lower temperatures and these “gentle” conditions make it possible to use ordinary untreated paper, cloth or plastic instead of more expensive materials. The ease and low cost of production create a very exciting prospect for future commercial use as well.

“We have demonstrated quite thoroughly the robustness of this technology,” Bulović says in the MIT article. “[W]e think we can fabricate scalable solar cells that can reach record-high watts-per-kilogram performance. For solar cells with such properties, a number of technological applications open up,” he says.

Just imagine the possibilities! Stacks of fabric solar cells shipped off to developing nations; affordable plastic solar arrays that are easily replaced if damaged; solar sweatpants that charge your cell phone in the pocket as you lounge in your solar lawn chair!

All of this sounds fantastic, but unfortunately, the cells produced by MIT researchers only have an efficiency of around 1%.  However, Kasser and Bulović’s team are working on producing cells with a higher efficiency that will hopefully provide the opportunity for more extensive applications. In the meantime though, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for those solar sweatpants.

Want to see the paper solar cell in action? Check out the link below!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21O0tBe-Alk

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Be Prepared, Be Safe

By Colin Johnson | Published: June 29, 2011

As we begin rolling out our newest product, the Emergency Power Kit, I thought it would be appropriate to write about some small things we can do to prepare ourselves and our families for the worst;  because as they say “it’s better to be safe than sorry.” The recent natural disasters we have seen throughout the world in just the first half of 2011 have made us think twice about our safety in the face of Mother Nature.

One of the first resources I fell upon was Ready.gov. They guide people using these three steps:

  1. Get a Kit
  2. Make a Plan
  3. Be Informed

They also offer disaster specific and state specific resources so there is good information for everyone in the world. So go check Ready.gov out and start preparing now.

There are tons of emergency kits out there so do a little research before you invest to figure out your specific needs. If you are worried about being stranded with no food or water such as in a flood, hurricane, or earthquake you may only be interested in having reserve nourishment. Kits like the Readybox or thisDeluxe Emergency Kit have essential items you may need in the event you will not be able to reach clean water or food.

Some of you may be more interested in staying connected in the event of a power outage; you may want to  get online, have light, or contact emergency medical services.  If this is the case you may need a kit that can meet you power needs. The Emergency Power Kit we offer is one option and I really like this small solar phone charger.

The Solarmonkey Portable Solar Charger

 

These are just a few suggestions and resources to help you get started when prepare for emergencies. Personally, I believe it is essential to always be aware of the environment around you and respect the dangers (and wonders) Mother Nature presents (heat, cold, wind, earthquakes, storms etc.).

Stay in touch with the Emergency Power Kit from PNS Energy Products

 

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Dwell on Design: A Preview

By Colin Johnson | Published: June 21, 2011

Dwell on Design, the largest design show on the West Coast, kicks off this Friday at the L.A. Convention Center and I cannot wait! This three day (June 24-26) extravaganza will exhibit some of the most creative furniture, kitchen, bath,

Concept for Rooftop Farming—Liuzhou, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China.

outdoor, building material, energy and modern home design concepts in the world. With over 300 exhibits and 160 speakers, visitors will be able to experience the cutting edge and learn what industry experts have to say about the future.

As much as I am looking forward to seeing what the whole show has to offer, here at Plug ‘N Save it is all about the Energy and Resource exhibits and there is a ton to see. Solar companies like Solar City and PermaCity Solar will have booths displaying the next wave of solar arrays, and Southern California Edison will be there to help visitors learn how to reduce their daily energy use.

When it comes to expert opinions the Sustainability Stage is the place to be. I have been looking over the lineup and have seen several topics that look fascinating. The first that caught my eye was the keynote speaker, William

William McDonough FAIA, Int. FRIBA

McDonough, who will present on Cradle to Cradle thinking, a holistic approach to design that he developed encouraging positive agendas and goals rather than perfecting existing resources and systems which may be leading us down the wrong path. Another I thought looked interesting is the talk on Edible Yards by Sara Carnochan, Weston Westenborg and Miyoko Ohtake. These gardening and design experts will discuss the environmental and health benefits of replacing grass spaces with vegetable gardens, and will give tips on how to best transition to a more sustainable yard.

No matter what kind of design idea you may be looking for Dwell on Design has something for you. Plus, who would miss out on a chance to come visit the Plug ‘N Save team and see what kind of new ideas and products we have?! Hope to see you there.

 

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