Wednesday, May 16th, 2007
A discussion on climate change and what software companies can do to help slow it
This month's meeting brings together a panel of speakers who are experts in helping businesses to:
- Reduce energy consumption
- Recycle computers
- Properly dispose of electronic waste
- Leverage greener transportation options
- Buying greener products
- and more
Why is it important to attend this meeting?
According to this article, the IDC reported that vendors shipped over 1 billion cell phones in 2006. 1 billion. That's up from over 800 million in 2005. That number does not include desktop computers, PDAs and other technologies we consume each year.
Therefore it is more important than ever that we as technology professionals understand our impact on the environment and what we can do to "keep it green".
Panel Speakers
Michael Kirick of Kirick Engineering Associates has been actively working in the building construction industry since 1980. A graduate of the University of Vermont (BSEE, 1979) Burlington, Vermont, he has worked for over 25 years with professional design firms in the Burlington, Vermont area. Michael owns and operates Kirick Engineering Associates, P.C. an electrical and telecommunications consulting firm which offers professional engineering design and project management services to commercial, institutional, municipal, and architectural clients.
Various clients include Goodrich Corporation, Ben and Jerry's, Vermont Coffee Roasters, Gardener's Supply and Fletcher Allen Heath Care. Many of these projects incorporate power, communications, and lighting design elements that are functionally effective, energy efficient, and complimentary to the architecture, resulting in the creation of highly livable spaces.
He will be first covering in broad scope the general economics of electric production and use and the best bangs for the buck in efforts towards saving electricity. Then will he will briefly delve into the best methods and schemes for preserving the integrity of data, data equipment and systems. And finally he'll wrap up with some business productivity tips with a telecom or electric basis to it.
Marge Keough of Chittenden Solid Waste District is the Business Outreach Coordinator. Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD) is a municipality serving the towns and cities of Chittenden County. CSWD's mission is to provide efficient, economical, and environmentally sound management of solid waste generated by residents and businesses within its member towns and cities. CSWD's Waste Reduction Department provides free technical assistance to businesses, schools and communities, offering information on recycling, composting, environmental purchasing, and more.
She will discuss "green" practices and resources for businesses that result in less waste and a reduced carbon footprint.
Bill Maclay of William Maclay Architects and Planners, P.C has specialized in architectural and environmental design, planning and construction since 1971. He has lectured or taught at many colleges and universities. He has a B.A. from Williams College and a Master of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania. He is registered in Vermont, New Hampshire, New York and Massachusetts, and is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). He served as the President of the VT Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 1994-95. He served on the Board of Directors of the VT Businesses for Social Responsibility (1993 - 2001)and the Yestermorrow School in Waitsfield (1997 - present).
William Maclay Architects and Planners, P.C. is an architecture and planning firm specializing in the design of buildings that take care of human needs and aspirations while incorporating energy and resource conservation, optimal indoor air quality, healthy building design technologies and environmentally responsive land use planning. They have received numerous awards for excellence in design and environmental innovation.
Bill will discuss ten steps to reducing your environmental footprint while gaining a competitive edge. This presentation will be an outline of how one can use their facilities to gain a competitive advantage during climate change. He'll share how to use strategies to operate a business on 10% of the energy with more productive employees, insuring energy stability, while potentially increasing future profits.
Tom Longstreth of ReCycle North grew up in New York City and came to ReCycle North in 1996, fresh out of Harvard with a Master’s from the John F. Kennedy School of Government. An avid cross-country skiier, skater, and cyclist, Tom had a connection to Vermont having worked for 4 years at the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps before going to graduate school. Tom’s incredible energy and enthusiasm for the ReCycle North’s mission has helped ReCycle North grow in terms of programs, staff and budget. Tom has worked tirelessly to establish ReCycle North as a well-respected and reliable organization that is devoted to serving the needs of Burlington and greater Chittenden County community.
Tom will discuss how to donate computers that get repaired by this non profit and are sold at low cost to low income Vermonters.
Edward Shephard of Small Dog Electronics is their Director of Marketing. He will be discussing Small Dog's ewaste initiative, which includes educating consumers about the need to recycle electronics, as well as our program to accept any type of electronics for recycling at either of our retail stores. They've accepted over 70 tons of electronics for recycling to date. He will discuss why this is important, how ewaste is actually recycled, and how the recycled components are used.
He'll also discuss the negative backlash Apple, Inc. faced from Greenpeace and other environmental groups about the environmental impact of its products, as well as Apple's commitment to "greening up." In particular, he'll note how average consumers have taken note of this, and reflect on it during their purchase decisions.
Small Dog Electronics is the leading Apple Specialist in New England, and the third largest Apple Specialist in the United States. Small Dog plays a leadership role among Apple Resellers, and is well represented on Apple's Reseller and Service boards.
Small Dog continually strives to reduce the environmental footprint of our business, including the impact of the electronics we sell and service. They offer an ewaste recycling program, and have recycled over 70 tons of hazardous electronics to date.
Additionally, they strive to educate our customers about reducing the environmental impact of the electronics we sell, including product life-cycle, energy use, and toxic components used in production.
Tiffany Ward of Chittenden County Transportation Authority is the Marketing and Public Affairs Manager for CCTA and enjoys promoting the diverse array of transit services to the community. Tiffany manages all of CCTA’s marketing and public relations efforts as well as the Vermont Rideshare and Medicaid programs. Prior to joining CCTA in 2003, Tiffany spent 10 years in sales and marketing management in the telecommunications industry. Tiffany holds a B.S. from Towson University in Baltimore, MD, is a member of the American Marketing Association and a participant in the Leadership Champlain Program for 2007.
She will discuss ride sharing, car pooling, bus services and some tax incentives that can come from utitilizing them.
Michael Russom of Efficiency Vermont is their Retail Efficient Products Market Manager. The Retail Efficient Products Market encompasses energy efficient lighting and appliances, as well as other energy efficient products such as desktop PCs and Desktop PC derived servers.
Michael will present some simple yet very effective energy efficiency improvements that can be made in the home and office, as well as information on energy efficient computer power supplies and the upcoming PC ENERGY STAR specification update.
Robin Ingenthron of American Retroworks Inc. is president of this consulting and recycling services organization specializing in reuse, repair, and recycling used goods such as electronics and household goods, both domestically and for export. American Retroworks has just reopened a reuse facility in Middlebury, Vermont called Good Point Recycling.
Prior to American Retroworks, Robin was Director of the Massachusetts Recycling Program at the state Department of Environmental Protection before accepting a short-term promotion to Deputy Director of Consumer Programs at DEP in 1998.
Robin has also led two private not-for-profit recycling organizations, and was vice president of ElectroniCycle Inc. during its 2-year growth from a TV repair shop to one of the largest CRT recycling companies in the USA. He has a BA degree in International Relations (Carleton College) and an MBA from Boston University (Public Management Program). He was both a volunteer and a country training consultant for the US Peace Corps (1984-86).
Robyn's topic will be regarding the Good Point Recycling facility he just reopened.
Andrea Asch of Ben & Jerry's is the manager of their environmental program. She will be speaking about Supply Chain.