May 31st, 2011 by TRT Blog

Here at the Refinishing Touch, we provide services to each of our customers with our country’s financial and environmental health in mind. This Memorial Day we are reminded of the many men and women who have laid their lives on the line to protect our nation and the freedoms that allow the very being of what we work to restore.

We want to use this post to take the time to thank those who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

We hope all of you had a nice long weekend. We’ll be back on Friday to kick off our series of posts highlighting some of the green initiatives that superstars within our core industries are focusing on throughout the summer season.

holiday, Memorial Day

May 27th, 2011 by TRT Blog

In terms of finance and investment, the clean energy sector has grown by a staggering 630 percent since 2004. In 2010, worldwide finance and investment in clean energy reached $243 billion – a 30 percent growth. But where does the United States fall in the global scheme of things? Many are concerned that our nation is being left lagging behind, and they have the numbers to prove it.

Despite holding the top spot (in 2008), the most recent reports show the U.S. coming up short, contributing $34 billion – a 51% increase over the funds received in 2009 – in terms of private  investment, and ranking third in the world to countries such as China and Germany who received $54 and $41 billion respectively.

China’s record $54.4 billion in clean energy investments in 2010 represents a 39 percent increase over 2009 and equal to total global investment in 2004, while Germany saw its private investments double to $41.2 billion.

Venture capital funds helped the US remain the leader in innovation with clean energy, but with that total only equaling $6 billion it still feels like there’s a lot of money being left on the table. And it begs the question: should the government be more involved with the pursuit and, ultimately, investment of funds for clean energy?

An article from renewablesbiz.com states that’s just what is being considered. Through a variety of methods – such as clean coal, nuclear, wind, water and solar – Obama’s administration is seeking ways to decrease the US’ reliance on antiquated and harmful power sources, and looking to put money back in the coffers by securing investments alongside its own to offset the admittedly high price the government would have to pay to make these plans a reality.

Unfortunately, criticism seems to be coming from anyone with a voice. With the terrifying situation continuing to unfold in Japan, many Democrats are skeptical about nuclear power while Republicans have stated an unwillingness to see money spent on any unproven methods.

One thing is clear, however. While there may not be an easy fix for the investment and development of alternative clean energy sources, it shouldn’t scare off the government from at least advancing the discussion of creating clean energy. This week we discussed Google’s efforts in  helping to lead the charge in the private sector, but Google doesn’t have the sway over public opinion the way the government does. Ultimately, we think that is truly what will help move our nation’s clean energy initiatives – and our planet – forward.

clean energy, Government, investments

May 24th, 2011 by TRT Blog

There are few well-recognized names and reputations in business like Google. The tech industry giant has permanently left its mark with its search engine, and has dominated the world of email and mobile technology. But as of late, its Google’s commitment to the environment that we just can’t get enough of.

Beginning in 2007, Google made a pledge to invest in technology that could contribute to the advancement of green initiatives in the United States. But in 2008 and 2009 when the financial crisis struck, progress slowed showing that even giants like Google were affected by the downturn. That being said, unlike many who were slow to return to renewable energy investments or didn’t return at all, Google came back as soon as it could and picked back up right where it left off.

Just this past April, Google announced investments totaling more than $250 million in renewable energy projects. The first was a $168 million investment in BrightSource Energy’s solar energy complex in California. Two weeks later, another $100 million was pledged to the Shepard’s Flat wind farm project off the coast of Oregon. The wind farm is currently the world’s largest of its kind under construction and will be able to produce incredible amounts of energy from the 2.5 megawatt turbines being used, none of which have ever been used in the U.S. before.

As you may know, Google has a knack for making good investments. The heavyweight knows that advancement in renewable technologies will yield much higher rewards down the road. As a major consumer of power to run its data centers, Google is banking on these investments not only providing solid ROI but spurring innovation in the renewable energy sector in efforts to power our world outside of coal.

We know it won’t happen overnight (and so does Google), but as more superpowers in the business world continue to invest and promote a switch to renewable energy, the more we’ll all be able to get out and give back to the planet.

Google, investments, renewable energy, Technology

May 20th, 2011 by TRT Blog

Our government has come under heavy scrutiny over its lack of consistent messaging around its stance on climate change and our country’s environmental plans for the future. With the airs from our current administration and division amongst political leaders, it seems the current state of affairs has the odds stacked against even the most realistic visions of progress. Transparency is needed now more than ever, and that need has been the driving force behind an emissions scoring system that has been put in place to encourage President Obama’s green agenda.

Designed to show the size of greenhouse gas footprints being left by the federal government, the Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report – released in late April of the year, clearly shows how government departments fared against one another.

The card is based on a simple red, yellow, green (low to high) scoring system which assesses scores based on seven criteria that measure the advancement towards goals distinct to each category. Facilities’ energy intensity, for example, have a reduction goal of at least 15 percent compared with 2003. Goals are also set to achieve a 10 percent reduction in petroleum use in a department’s entire vehicle fleet compared to 2005. The openness of the report shows a clear commitment not only to achieving these goals, but to increase awareness of the strides the government is making.

Too often we hear rhetoric from politicians and governing bodies about the work that should be done or will be done, but only see results if it’s completed successfully. By showing the successes and failures of the departments, our government is making it known that there is work that needs to be done.  More importantly, we are being given a look at what the government is doing about it and are (finally) hearing a unified message about the change that is needed.

So while the Department of the Treasury scored green across the board, it’s not all we’re getting a view of, we can see that the Department of Commerce has its work cut out for it to reach its goals.

We’re hoping to see similar goals and demonstrated dedication across common industries so that we know where we stand as a country with regards to the preservation of our planet. See for yourself! Pay a visit to the White House OMB website to view the entire scorecard.

evaluation, GHG, Government, grades

May 17th, 2011 by TRT Blog

Working with a variety of clients in different industries takes us to events around the country each year. Whether for hospitality, education or government, The Refinishing Touch seeks out the best opportunities for us to demonstrate the benefits of refinishing. We love any opportunity to get in front of our current and future clients!

This philosophy recently took us to San Diego for the GSA (General Services Administration) Training Conference and Expo. ‘Inspire, Innovate, Interact’ was the theme for this year’s show and with all three of those tenets being core fundamentals of our business, it made perfect sense for us to make the trip to San Diego to attend. The show started strong with the opening keynote coming from Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.

Along with Lindsay from our fabulous marketing team, TRT’s president Mario Insenga was on hand during the show to take to the show floor and reconnect with our many friends in the government. The TRT team was thrilled to hear about this year’s training sessions, specifically designed to educated companies on how to sustainably work with the government.

Mario and Lindsay at the event

We were fortunate for the opportunities to connect with representatives from all sectors of the government – many stopping by with sincere interest in working with us. Mario and Lindsay had the opportunity to speak about the benefits of refinishing as opposed to replacement and the green methods we practice.

The GSA’s goal is to completely eliminate its environmental footprint, and through the continuous learning programs at the show (more than 200 hours worth!) and event initiatives such as printing its promotional materials and the program guide on recycled paper using soy based ink, the GSA is definitely making strides towards achieving its goal.

With new contacts at the federal, state and local level, as well as many within military, the show was certainly a success for The Refinishing Touch and we can’t wait to attend next year’s conference in San Antonio, TX!

Tune into our website here for more information on the other events you can find us at!

Events, Government, green, GSA

May 13th, 2011 by TRT Blog

Airline carriers have been trying everything to entice customers to fly with them. Larger carriers have been dipping into their budgets to launch national advertising campaigns to expand their loyal (or not-so-loyal) fan bases. But not all airlines have the means to advertise on a regional scale – let alone a national platform. Despite all of this, it’s the smaller airlines that are currently offering the most value to travelers.

Larger airlines may offer the convenience of more frequent flights, but travelers are subjected to higher fares and additional fees because of high overhead costs. Regional airlines – such as Vision Airlines and Sun Country Airlines are starting to gain more attention, however (check out this New York Times article). Limited services and scheduling means significantly lower overhead which results in lower fares and more direct routes – a dream come true for frequent fliers. The main problem for these little guys is reduced visibility. You won’t find them on booking sites like Expedia or Travelocity because of the listing fees associated with them, but word of mouth has helped these airlines immensely.

So what are the downfalls? Because of their size, there are some concessions that are made for the direct flight and lower prices. For one, flights aren’t run as frequently as can be found with larger carriers – smaller airlines make an estimated 1,000 trips per route a year. You’ll also find more often than not, that checked bags and in-flight snacks are only offered at an additional price. Perhaps the biggest concern, however, is the age of the planes used. Aircrafts flying for smaller airlines are over 15 years old on average, further punctuating the concern about longevity and how much longer the planes will hold together. Have you been reading any of the news around aging jetliners and the likely possibility of compromising safety?

As the airline industry continues to stabilize itself and looks to rebuild out of the downturn, we’re constantly reminded of how many businesses and industries depend on the health of the travel industry. And there’s no mistaking the necessity of airlines like these as the airline industry continues its journey to recovery.

Providing a service that compliments the big boys of airfare and doing so at a reasonable price will make the value of these airlines greater. As their value increases the possibility of benefits is twofold; Greater visibility with consumers as well as larger carriers increases the likelihood of acquisition (think more routes and more service from point A to point B). On the other hand, standalone growth in ridership means equal benefit as more and more money is infused back into the industry – a win-win for everyone.

airlines, regional travel

May 10th, 2011 by TRT Blog

It’s not unreasonable for management to hope employees are motivated. In any business, it makes things a whole lot easier when workers, at all and levels, naturally love their work.  If that much is true, chances are that they can be trusted to maintain a  drive to succeed on their own. Unfortunately that’s not always the case and not all employees are created equal.  Managers are relied on to step in as necessary to help motivate their employees – and the methods of motivation can easily vary.

One method that has garnered results across many different types of employees is the use of gaming. Not in the traditional, joystick in hand/online poker sense that you might be thinking of, but a complex system of points that targets an individual’s need to succeed and be satisfied with work produced. A Triple Pundit article got our attention with the use of a zero waste objective as a way to visualize how ‘gamification’ works.

Here at The Refinishing Touch, we see a great deal of value in using this method to increase employee awareness and overall involvement. Simple recognition for one team or individual as a leader in the office for reducing waste can significantly increase awareness on the initiative, its goals and ultimately what it takes to compete and win. Soon, the whole company is doing its part to reduce waste and lower a carbon footprint. Action might be taken in the spirit of competition, but in the grand scheme of things, the environment ends up winning.

This method has proven to work with established adults in workplace environments, but we don’t think it shouldn’t be limited to just that. Implementing programs to reach individuals earlier on, such as in schools, would be direct investments in our future. A focus on the use of renewable methods and the drive toward sustainability would become major factors in decision making down the line.

Forward thinking processes such as these deserve the chance to help mold the next generation of our nation’s workforce and business leaders – and that’s just what they’re being given! Games are now a growing part of our nation’s culture. Being able to connect with the next generation about what matters most now, and the widespread importance of issues like global sustainability and green-minded thinking as we see highlighted in this one gaming example will hopefully lead to a positive result we’ll see for years to come – where everyone can be a winner.

employee motivation, game theory, gamification, Sustainability

May 6th, 2011 by TRT Blog

The Refinishing Touch is honored to have been invited to work with San Francisco’s Orchard Hotel, named the fifth best luxury hotel in the US by TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards. The Orchard Hotel is one of a select few hotels in the world with a triplet of ‘green’ certifications, along with its sister property the Orchard Garden Hotel.

The Orchard Hotel allows guests the opportunity to unwind and revitalize in California’s first true ‘green’ hotel. The hotel has obtained the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certification, The Green Seal Environmental Standard for U.S. Lodging Properties certificate and has been recognized as a ‘green’ business with a certification awarded by the San Francisco Department of the Environment. Here at The Refinishing Touch, we like to think that we know a thing or two about sustainability, having previously been recognized with an Evergreen Award by the U.S General Services Administration for our own green practices. Needless to say, we were delighted to find a partnership with the Orchard Hotel to lead their extensive restoration endeavor with a shared commitment to sustainability in mind.

As a fundamental part of our process, TRT presented the hotel with a cost benefit analysis to compare the price of buying all new furniture versus the cost of refinishing. When we were able to illustrate a potential 92% savings with refinishing, the opportunity was officially extended to us and we arrived onsite in no time. Each guestroom throughout the property was filled with delicate hand-crafted furniture that required a gentle ‘touch’, so our crew carefully and consistently got to work restoring the pieces in each room to their original pristine condition. Now that renovations are complete, guests of the Orchard Hotel are treated to a refined experience with furniture that matches both the ambiance and spirit of the downtown San Francisco hotel.

While the hotel is an  experience in and of itself, San Francisco is an intoxicating vacation destination that has something for everyone. The ‘City by the Bay’ is surrounded by several well-known attractions including fashionable shopping in Union Square, a lively marketplace at Fisherman’s Wharf, sea lions basking in the sun at Pier 39, and of course the Golden Gate Bridge, where the Bay meets the Pacific Ocean.

San Francisco is a city filled with style and class and we’re pleased to have contributed to its beauty through our work at the Orchard Hotel. If you find yourself riding the cable cars  - another one of San Fran’s iconic image – be sure to make a stop at the Orchard Hotel to have a look at its beauty and luxury for yourself.

Operational Update

May 3rd, 2011 by TRT Blog

Just as schools are already recognized for their academic achievements through the Federal Government’s Blue Ribbon School Program, they can soon receive the recognition for demonstrating excellence or making notable improvement towards sustainability through the Green Ribbon School Program.  The program was introduced last month as a collaboration among the Department of Education, EPA and the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

This program has the potential to link schools and students that nurture a culture of sustainability to the funding and initiatives within various departments of government – such as the Department of Energy. The school not only benefits from the exposure but its students receive the experience and pride associated that comes along with working closely and contributing to government agencies.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan said: “Through the Green Ribbon Schools program, we’ll be holding up schools that are leading the way in teaching science and showing students the importance of developing clean energy sources and sustainable solutions for the environment.”

The potential of reducing US energy consumption in by 25 percent through better management of school resources should be enough to engage school officials, teachers and students. By giving students the tools and knowledge to further their interest in the field for later in life is the true lasting appeal of a program such as this and it’s promising to see a program such as this come to fruition and immediately be held up as the standard.

Applications will be released later this year with the first wave of schools receiving the honor announced next year. More information can be found at the Dept. of Education’s website.

awards, schools, Sustainability