STURTEVANT, WI — The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has accepted a four-year $1 million grant from JohnsonDiversey Inc. to support establishing global standards for water stewardship with the goal of addressing the global threat of water stress, the increasing pollution of rivers and a decline in freshwater wildlife species, which is being convened through the Alliance for Water Stewardship, according to a press release.
When finished, these new standards will seek to recognize and reward water users who take steps to minimize the impacts of their water use on people and the environment, the release stated.
Curt Johnson, chairman of JohnsonDiversey and a member of WWF's board of directors, said: "JohnsonDiversey is pleased to support an initiative that addresses one of the world's most urgent conservation issues. Preservation of a vital natural resource such as fresh water is central to our commitment to pursue a cleaner, healthier future for the world."
In addition to funding the WWF's work over four years, the company's water management experts will also provide technical and operational input to establishing the new standards, the release noted.
JohnsonDiversey is a member of WWF's Climate Savers Program and supports WWF's Freshwater Science Program, the release added.
Click here to read the complete release.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Five Charlottesville City Schools receive Energy Star rating
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA — Charlottesville City Schools officials announced Wednesday that five of their elementary schools are now Energy Star-rated, according to WCAV-TV.
According to the story, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awards the Energy Star designation to schools that rate in the top 25 percent of facilities nationwide in terms of energy efficiency.
The five newly Energy Star-rated schools are: Johnson Elementary; Clark Elementary; Venable Elementary; Burnley-Moran Elementary; and Jackson-Via Elementary, the story stated.
Lance Stewart, Charlottesville City Schools facilities maintenance manager, said: "It takes the teachers making sure the doors are shut when the kids come in the building and that custodial closet lights are off and that problems with the building are reported properly. There are 21,000 schools through out the country that are being tracked. Only less than 1,500 are Energy Star-certified. Even our lowest rank[ed] school of 75 is in the top seven percent of schools who track."
School administrators emphasize monthly checks on building energy consumption and urge students and staff to recycle, the story noted.
The state of Virginia has a total of 33 Energy Star-certified schools, which use an average of 40 percent less energy than comparable, non-certified schools, the story added.
Click here to read the complete article.
According to the story, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awards the Energy Star designation to schools that rate in the top 25 percent of facilities nationwide in terms of energy efficiency.
The five newly Energy Star-rated schools are: Johnson Elementary; Clark Elementary; Venable Elementary; Burnley-Moran Elementary; and Jackson-Via Elementary, the story stated.
Lance Stewart, Charlottesville City Schools facilities maintenance manager, said: "It takes the teachers making sure the doors are shut when the kids come in the building and that custodial closet lights are off and that problems with the building are reported properly. There are 21,000 schools through out the country that are being tracked. Only less than 1,500 are Energy Star-certified. Even our lowest rank[ed] school of 75 is in the top seven percent of schools who track."
School administrators emphasize monthly checks on building energy consumption and urge students and staff to recycle, the story noted.
The state of Virginia has a total of 33 Energy Star-certified schools, which use an average of 40 percent less energy than comparable, non-certified schools, the story added.
Click here to read the complete article.
Illinois' first LEED-certified pharmacy
CHICAGO — A new Walgreens, the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified drugstore in the state of Illinois, opened yesterday in Logan Square, according to the Examiner.
The site of Walgreens' second LEED-certified drugstore was a former brownfield site before it was cleaned up and redeveloped, the story stated.
The environmentally friendly drugstore features a green roof complete with a light-reflecting white coating to help reduce heating and cooling costs and energy-efficient lighting that is 50 percent more efficient than traditional lighting, the story noted.
Sadhu Johnston, chief environmental officer for the city of Chicago, said: "The environmentally friendly features of this store will contribute to making Chicago a greener city while reducing Walgreens' impact on the planet. We encourage all Chicago businesses to consider ways that they can be more environmentally friendly and save electricity."
Low-flow water fixtures are expected to save 34,000 gallons of water per year while the overall energy and water savings each year from the store are estimated to be enough to power more than five homes, the story added.
Click here to read the complete article.
The site of Walgreens' second LEED-certified drugstore was a former brownfield site before it was cleaned up and redeveloped, the story stated.
The environmentally friendly drugstore features a green roof complete with a light-reflecting white coating to help reduce heating and cooling costs and energy-efficient lighting that is 50 percent more efficient than traditional lighting, the story noted.
Sadhu Johnston, chief environmental officer for the city of Chicago, said: "The environmentally friendly features of this store will contribute to making Chicago a greener city while reducing Walgreens' impact on the planet. We encourage all Chicago businesses to consider ways that they can be more environmentally friendly and save electricity."
Low-flow water fixtures are expected to save 34,000 gallons of water per year while the overall energy and water savings each year from the store are estimated to be enough to power more than five homes, the story added.
Click here to read the complete article.
S.C. Johnson and Procter & Gamble argue over ads
RACINE, WI — According to a ruling by the National Advertising Division (NAD) of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, S.C. Johnson & Son Inc. has provided reasonable support for its claim that Glade Fabric & Air Odor Eliminator "penetrates deeper" into carpet than Febreze from Procter & Gamble Company, according to the Business Journal of Mikwaukee.
However, the advertising regulatory forum recommended that S.C. Johnson discontinue its depiction of deeper penetration in television ads because the visuals are not supported by evidence, the story stated.
According to the story, the disputed television commercial depicts a consumer spraying the Glade product in a closet and on a dog bed as the announcer introduces the product and then states: That Glade Fabric & Air Odor Eliminator "penetrates deeper than Febreze on carpet."
Procter & Gamble noted that it had conducted three different tests to assess the relative abilities of Glade Fabric & Air Odor Eliminator and Febreze to penetrate carpets, resulting in data that demonstrated Febreze actually penetrates deeper on carpets than the S.C. Johnson product; S.C. Johnson provided data demonstrating the opposite, the story noted.
A statement from S.C. Johnson said: "While we do not feel that the visuals in the commercial were misleading, S.C. Johnson is a strong supporter of the industry self-regulatory process and we will take the NAD's views into consideration in future advertising."
Click here to read the complete article.
However, the advertising regulatory forum recommended that S.C. Johnson discontinue its depiction of deeper penetration in television ads because the visuals are not supported by evidence, the story stated.
According to the story, the disputed television commercial depicts a consumer spraying the Glade product in a closet and on a dog bed as the announcer introduces the product and then states: That Glade Fabric & Air Odor Eliminator "penetrates deeper than Febreze on carpet."
Procter & Gamble noted that it had conducted three different tests to assess the relative abilities of Glade Fabric & Air Odor Eliminator and Febreze to penetrate carpets, resulting in data that demonstrated Febreze actually penetrates deeper on carpets than the S.C. Johnson product; S.C. Johnson provided data demonstrating the opposite, the story noted.
A statement from S.C. Johnson said: "While we do not feel that the visuals in the commercial were misleading, S.C. Johnson is a strong supporter of the industry self-regulatory process and we will take the NAD's views into consideration in future advertising."
Click here to read the complete article.
A proactive approach to combat sickness
TAMPA, FL — Hillsborough County Public Schools are hoping their proactive approach to combat H1N1 (swine flu) is enough to avoid disruptions in the classroom, according to WTVT-TV.
Janitors are being told to check soap dispensers and paper towel holders twice a day to ensure they are clean and fully stocked, the story stated.
According to the story, teachers are urged to report any students who are constantly coughing and sneezing or appear to be sick.
To keep kids out of the hospital, schools will become flu shot clinics, and once the vaccine is available, nurses will administer the shots to students who want one, the story noted.
The school district says they will not send out letters to parents every time a student is expected or confirmed of having the swine flu because it is too widespread and not necessary, the story added.
Click here to read the complete article.
Janitors are being told to check soap dispensers and paper towel holders twice a day to ensure they are clean and fully stocked, the story stated.
According to the story, teachers are urged to report any students who are constantly coughing and sneezing or appear to be sick.
To keep kids out of the hospital, schools will become flu shot clinics, and once the vaccine is available, nurses will administer the shots to students who want one, the story noted.
The school district says they will not send out letters to parents every time a student is expected or confirmed of having the swine flu because it is too widespread and not necessary, the story added.
Click here to read the complete article.
Window washer dies after 18-story fall
MONTREAL, QC, Canada — A window washer died after falling from the Blue Cross building and landing on the roof of the Maison du Jazz restaurant 18 stories below, according to the Montreal Gazette.
The man, who worked for Mon laveur de vitre Inc. was connected to a 20-foot platform when it broke loose around 1:15 p.m. and plummeted to the rooftop of the restaurant below, the story stated.
Two other men were working with the victim and were taken to the hospital and treated for nervous shock, the story noted.
Mark Crispino, a witness who spoke to the window washers the day before the accident, said: "Just yesterday I asked them for a business card because I need window washing at home. I asked if accidents ever happened. He said nothing serious ever happens, because we have belts. So we always wear our safety belts, because otherwise we’re not insured."
It remains unclear what caused the malfunction, but when an Occupational Health and Safety Commission (CSST) investigation is complete the information will be released, the story added.
According to the story, four Montreal window washers have died on the job since 2000.
Click here to read the complete article.
The man, who worked for Mon laveur de vitre Inc. was connected to a 20-foot platform when it broke loose around 1:15 p.m. and plummeted to the rooftop of the restaurant below, the story stated.
Two other men were working with the victim and were taken to the hospital and treated for nervous shock, the story noted.
Mark Crispino, a witness who spoke to the window washers the day before the accident, said: "Just yesterday I asked them for a business card because I need window washing at home. I asked if accidents ever happened. He said nothing serious ever happens, because we have belts. So we always wear our safety belts, because otherwise we’re not insured."
It remains unclear what caused the malfunction, but when an Occupational Health and Safety Commission (CSST) investigation is complete the information will be released, the story added.
According to the story, four Montreal window washers have died on the job since 2000.
Click here to read the complete article.
Iowa gets first LEED-certified school
IOWA CITY, IA — Willowwind School, an independent elementary and pre-school for children ages three through 12, was recently awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification at the Gold level, according to the Press-Citizen.
The school, a converted Moose Lodge remodeled in 2007 for $3.5 million, is currently the only school in the state of Iowa to achieve certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the story stated.
Designed by Neumann Monson Architects, Willowwind has many sustainable features, including: Natural daylight; a geothermal heating and cooling system; and prairie grass in an outdoor classroom, the story noted.
Click here to read the complete article.
The school, a converted Moose Lodge remodeled in 2007 for $3.5 million, is currently the only school in the state of Iowa to achieve certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the story stated.
Designed by Neumann Monson Architects, Willowwind has many sustainable features, including: Natural daylight; a geothermal heating and cooling system; and prairie grass in an outdoor classroom, the story noted.
Click here to read the complete article.
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