LaGrange College now has a LEED-certified library

LAGRANGE, GA — The Frank and Laura Lewis Library at LaGrange College recently received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification at the Silver level, according to the Ledger-Enquirer.

Built by Batson-Cook Construction, the three-story, 45,000-square-foot library is the third library in the state of Georgia and the first outside of the city of Atlanta to earn the LEED distinction, the story stated.

Sustainable aspects of the $15.5 million library include: Low-flow plumbing; abundant natural lighting; energy efficient fixtures; and utilization of recycled materials, the story noted.

While LEED certification costs more on the front end of the project, those who build green reap the benefits later in the more efficient operation of the facility, the story added.

Click here to read the complete article.

Disney ups H1N1 prevention efforts

ORLANDO, FL — In an effort to minimize the spread of the H1N1 influenza A (swine flu) virus, Walt Disney World and Disneyland have installed numerous hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the theme parks, according to the Associated Press.

More than 60 dispensers have been strategically placed in hotel lobbies, character meet-and-greet areas and other venues at the highly frequented parks, the story stated.

Disney has also placed signage throughout the parks reminding patrons to frequently wash their hands, cover their mouths when they cough and other general hygiene reminders, the story noted.

These precautions are the most visible steps taken by Disney since the H1N1 outbreak struck the United States last spring, the story added.

Click here to read the complete article

NBC programming to include pro-environmental messages

NEW YORK — The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is taking its "Green is Universal" campaign to prime-time by writing pro-environmental messages in the scripts of five of its popular television programs, according to the Mother Nature Network.

According to the story, environmental themes were also added to the scripts of "30 Rock," "The Biggest Loser," "The Office," "Heroes" and "Community."

Several NBC shows have done much to reduce their carbon footprints off-stage, including: Using filtered tap water instead of plastic water bottles; using chemical-free cleaning products; renting hybrid vehicles to transport actors and crew members; and making company facilities more eco-friendly, the story stated.

Jack McBrayer, the actor who portrays Kenneth on "30 Rock," said: "It's something that is relatable and is something that a lot of people are doing. Everybody is on board with greening up the place and being more environmentally-friendly in real life. Every now and then, people need to be reminded of things that can be done."

Examples of the pro-environmental messages include: "30 Rock" corporate boss Jack Donaghy telling the late-night show's staff that it has to cut its carbon footprint by 5 percent; Dwight from "The Office" takes the role of Recyclops; "Heroes" features cast members filling a truck with recyclables and talking about the importance of giving back to the Earth; and in the comedy "Community," the college is renamed Environdale, the story noted.

Click here to read the complete article.

The world's first LEED Platinum-certified hospital

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas is the first health care facility in the world to achieve Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certification at the Platinum level, the highest offered by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), according to a press release.

By optimizing energy performance, the Dell Children's Medical Center was able to achieve 14 of the total 17 points available in the Indoor Environmental Quality category, the release stated.

Phil Risner, project manager and building systems network engineer for the Seton Family of Hospitals, said: "We had a vision for LEED Platinum from the outset of this project, as we sought to create the optimum environment for our patients as well as our employees. There was no doubt in our minds that being green had real, positive effects on both the environment and our healthcare delivery capability."

LEED certification standards are difficult to meet for any building, but are especially tough for hospitals because they operate around the clock and use large amounts of energy, the release noted.

Overall, the project earned 54 out of a possible 69 points, meeting requirements for LEED certification for New Construction, the release added.

Click here to read the complete release

'The Rachael Ray Show' selects My Maid Service for cleanup

WILMINGTON, OH — My Maid Service was selected by "The Rachael Ray Show" to provide post-construction cleaning for the Wilmington United Methodist Church's food pantry Your Father's Kitchen following a renovation, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

"The Rachael Ray Show" selected Your Father's Kitchen to be the recipient of its 2009 Thanksgiving community service project that included facility upgrades and a year's stock of food courtesy of the Sara Lee Corporation, the story stated.

According to the story, "The Rachael Ray Show" filmed on location at Your Father's Kitchen November 7 and 8 and the episode is set to air November 25.

Derek Christian, owner of My Maid Service, has been involved with numerous philanthropic causes and was excited to receive the call from "The Rachael Ray Show" producer, the story noted.

Christian said: "We know that Wilmington is going through a tough time right now with the recent closing of DHL. Quite a few families are really struggling right now. This is something we can do to contribute to a worthy cause and I'm more than happy to help out."

My Maid Service is a full-service provider of cleaning tasks, including: Mopping floors; vacuuming; dusting; changing bed linens; cleaning carpets; cleaning windows; and much more, the story added.

Click here to read the complete article.

USGBC unveils new LEED pilot credits

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently unveiled five new Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) credits that are being investigated in a pilot program currently underway, according to Jetson Green.

The pilot LEED credits include: Life Cycle Assessment of Building Assemblies and Materials; Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxic (PBT) Source Reduction; Medical and Process Equipment Efficiency; Innovative Ventilation; and Preliminary Integrative Project Planning & Design, the story stated.

According to the story, ever since announcing the new LEED Version 3 in 2009, the USGBC has been talking about putting LEED on a regular cycle of refinement and improvement in order to keep it at the forefront of green building.

These new credits will be available as Innovation & Design credits for current projects utilizing the pilot credits and, as speculated, will likely appear as part of the next revision of LEED, the story noted.

It is hoped that these pilot credits will be adopted and will help push the industry in a greener direction in new and important areas relevant to human health and safety, the story added.

Click here to read the complete article.

Green Seal to adopt holistic approach to certification

WASHINGTON — Green Seal Inc. is launching a pilot Company Certification Program that provides the first and only holistic assessment of a company's product line and its business operations, according to a press release.

Building on the development of 30 environmental standards and certification of over 3,500 "green" products and services, Green Seal's pilot program will certify companies as a whole based on their commitment to environmentally-sound business practices and sustainable products, the release stated.

According to the release, recognition of environmental leadership — at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels — will be based on corporate-wide practices and environmental impacts, third-party environmental certification of the company's products and life-cycle assessment of the company's key product lines.

Green Seal will factor in greenhouse gas emissions, water conservation, biodiversity impact and labor relations, among other requirements, the release noted.

Arthur Weissman, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Green Seal, said: "Today's green-savvy consumers are increasingly wary of corporate greenwashing and are looking for proof that companies and their products are as green as they say they are. Our pilot Company Certification Program makes green corporate claims credible and provides real marketing power as manufacturers brand themselves in a sustainability-minded marketplace."

Once social and environmental impact studies are completed, qualified companies are given a license to use the Green Seal which, in addition to certifying their commitment to the environment for consumers, also provides greenwashing insurance for the business, the release added.

Click here to read the complete release.