The Refinishing Touch Blog

Making a difference in the environment doesn't always have to mean creating an eco-friendly hotel or using solar cells for energy. By making just a few changes to the way you live, you can help the planet in your own small way. The EPA's Pick 5 campaign shows just how easy this can be.

The idea is simple: put into practice any five of the EPA's tips, and we'll all be better off. Keep helping out and convince your friends and family to do the same.

We chose five of our own—try them out for yourself:

• Save water: start turning off the faucet when you brush your teeth or shave, and take showers, not baths
• Reduce electricity: use programmable thermostats, fluorescent light bulbs, and Energy Star products—and don't forget to unplug things when not in use
• Recycle old electronics: bring TVs, old computers and other obsolete or broken electronics in for proper recycling, keeping hazardous e-waste out of landfills
• Rethink your commute: walking and riding a bike are both great ways to get exercise and reduce air pollution, and riding public transportation or carpooling help reduce emissions
• Use chemicals safely: compare products and check labels to make sure the pesticides, paints and cleaning agents you use don't hurt the environment, and remember to dispose of them properly

You’ve seen our choices, now pick five of your own and spread the word.

Labels: energy saving tips, EPA, pick 5

Here at TRT, we love to hear how organizations throughout the hospitality, government and education sectors are taking steps to become more eco-friendly. Recently, the North American branch of Accor, a global, environmentally conscious hotel group that owns brands such as Sofitel, Novotel and Motel 6, made a commitment to reduce its impact on the environment by joining the EPA's National Partnership for Environmental Priorities (NPEP).

The EPA's program aspires to decrease the use of dangerous chemicals that result from various products and processes. These chemicals can find their way into the land, air and water and are potentially hazardous to the health of humans as well as the environment. Partners of the NPEP aim to use resources more efficiently so as to reduce the risk that these chemicals pose.

Along with Accor's partnership with the NPEP, several initiatives have been put in to practice as a means to continue in its commitment to sustainability. These include reducing water waste with water-saving and more water-efficient shower heads and faucets, pledging to reduce electricity consumption by 10 percent in the next year, installing high-tech heating and cooling systems and using energy-saving compact fluorescent lighting.

With more international hotel groups like Accor making commitments to reducing their carbon footprints and taking proactive steps to become more sustainable, we are thrilled to see how hospitality players throughout the world follows suit.

Labels: Accor, EPA, Hotel Industry, NPEP

On Friday the Obama administration took a historic stance on emissions, with the first formal recognitions of the potential threats of climate change as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirmed that carbon dioxide and five other gases threaten public welfare.

Findings highlighted that concentrations of these gases are at unprecedented levels as a result of human emissions, and these high levels are most probably the cause of the rise in average temperatures and other changes in our climate. Lisa Jackson, Administrator for the EPA said: 'Greenhouse gas pollution is a serious problem now and for future generations.'

Government statistics reveal the US produces 6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide a year and in naming this and other greenhouse gases as threats, the EPA has committed itself to act. These are far-reaching changes, and nothing will happen overnight. But as the process moves to public hearings and review before any regulations can be formalized, it's a move to address global warming on a federal level. This a fundamental shift in our country's attitude and policy.

There are concerns, however of the financial impact of regulations on American businesses: for many American industries in energy production; car manufacturing; the travel business - the impact of strong regulations could be shattering. While we applaud a move to protect the environment, as an American corporation and supporters of fellow American business, we are also wary of the impact on the economy.

Time will tell, but we'll be watching both sides of the argument closely.

Labels: Carbon dioxide, EPA, government