The Refinishing Touch Blog

In early January, the Obama administration announced an award of $2.3 billion in Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credits, designed to stimulate job growth in the clean energy sector. While the government’s plans are commendable, they need help to succeed. Despite willing workers and an influx of funding, the clean energy movement has been slow to get off the ground. Furthermore, because the term ‘green job’ in the eco-friendly energy sector has such a vague definition and is not held up to any real standards, employers can label any job a ‘green job’ without worrying about accountability.

On top of that, many clean energy projects have been sprouting up, but often without actual jobs in tow. For example, a 36 thousand acre Texas wind farm seemed poised to create a number of jobs, using $1.5 billion of stimulus money, but the project, financed by China’s Shenyang Power Group, fell through. Although it required nearly 3 thousand workers, only 15 percent of those would have been for citizens in the United States.

Luckily, creating green energy jobs while adopting environmentally friendly practices has become a top priority for the government, and the pieces for creating a fruitful clean energy sector are there: a willing administration, an International Labour Organization that sees value in going green, stimulus money and opportunity. With more time and some redirected efforts, decision-makers can take these factors and help turn possibility into actuality.

Labels: Clean energy, government, green efforts, Green energy, Green Jobs

Millions of Americans had blank television screens on Friday after US television broadcast stations switched from analogue to digital programming.

Here at the Refinishing Touch we have a strong interest in the switchover and have blogged about it in the past. So we've kept a close eye on how America has reacted to the big switchover. It's not been smooth everywhere, despite US authorities spending around two billion dollars on TV ads and other communications to get people prepared.

Consumers were given three options to ensure their TVs still worked after the transition. They could (1) Buy a digital to analogue converter box and connect it to their analogue television; (2) Buy a digital television or (3) Subscribe to a paid TV service.

It would seem the most popular solution has been the cheapest, with people buying a new converter box for a one-off fee of around $60. To help with the cost of the box, the government offered (and is still offering) two $40 coupons to each US household towards the cost.

The government has also been promoting the benefits of the digital TV transition in the hope that people will accept the change much quicker. Unfortunately, many people did not listen to the government's advice, failed to claim their free coupons, and were left without a working television: if you're one of these and are staring at a blank TV screen then we'd suggest you check out www.dtv.gov.

There's an interesting element here as although 'technically' there's no need for people to buy new televisions - analogue sets will work for years with devices such as DVD players, VCRs and video games consoles - digital TV offers a range of benefits including improved picture and sound quality, multiple programming choices and interactive video and data services.

Labels: Analogue Switch, digital TV, government

Well, we just returned from the GSA Expo 2009, and we are very pleased with how it went.

The show started with a blur of people coming by our booth to talk with us and express interest in what we do. But more than that, as we watched the show unfold, we began to realize how much is changing for the better this year.

Across government agencies there were days when the mere suggestion of reusing furniture rather than buying new would elicit sneers of disapproval. There are potentially large budgets available and government buyers would automatically first turn towards how to spend these on buying new. That's all changed. In the last few days while walking through the hallways of the GSA and talking to attendees, it's obvious that buyers and users are starting to truly understand why reusing furniture is a better solution.

Across the show itself there seemed to be a greater discussion and focus on best practices to be environmentally friendly. The show featured a brand new range of classes on sustainability and it felt to us that across the convention center, people were all taking the ideals of being environmentally friendly very seriously. It could be due to the changing economic environment we're in, the new administration, the growing focus on the environment or all of the above, but the show definitely felt different this year.

We are proud to have been there to see the change.

Labels: government, GSA Expo 2009, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, Sustainability

There are areas where you can easily understand it's more difficult to plan and take action to cut costs, and others that would seem easy and simple to cut back. So we were amazed to see this survey that calculated that the federal government spends $1.3 billion on printing every year, and that $440 million of this is wasted and unnecessary printing.

The researchers, working on behalf of printer vendor Lexmark and O'Keeffe and Co., surprisingly found no differences between generations when it comes to thinking about the environment.

Generation Y employees stated they printed 29 pages a day, and threw or recycled less than a third (31%) on that day, while the baby boomers surveyed gave similar figures, saying they printed 31 pages a day on average, and threw or recycled 34% on the same day.

The study also found that 89% of respondents said their agencies don't have formal printing policies to cut back on printing. This figure didn't surprise us every much as our findings from our own research into policies and procurement processes within government (link to TRT download site) found that agencies can save up to eighty percent of current expenditure on furniture assets from a commitment to sustainability initiatives and a more innovative use of funds and resources.

Sustainability needs to be considered at every level: from the acquisition of hundreds of desks, to the printing of a single piece of paper. It all makes a difference.

Labels: government, printing, Sustainability

This spring the UK government's independent advisory body- the Sustainable Development Commission, published a report entitled "Prosperity without Growth?: the transition to a sustainable economy." The result of two years' of research, the report reviews the relationship between economic growth, the environment and 'social recession.'

Written by Professor Tim Jackson, the economics commissioner of the Sustainable Development Commission, it is well worth a read. It contains some hard-hitting facts and conclusions, yet gives a balanced view, for example, outlining how a crisis such as the recession can provide a opportunity for taking a rethink and be an impetus for change.

Some of the harder-hitting facts within the report include:

- For the last five decades the pursuit of growth has been the single most important policy goal across the world, now the global economy is almost five times the size it was half a century ago.

- If the global economy continues to grow at the same rate the economy will be 80 times that size by the year 2100

- An estimated 60% of the world’s ecosystems has been degraded

- two billion humans live on less than $2 a day

Even as I read those four facts it made me realize how our drive for 'progress' seems to be at any cost. Professor Jackson helps us to think about how we measure prosperity: and really prosperity is about how we live as humans on Earth.

He states:

"At the end of the day, prosperity goes beyond material pleasures. It transcends material concerns.... Prosperity consists in our ability to flourish as human beings – within the ecological limits of a finite planet. The challenge for our society is to create the conditions under which this is possible. It is the most urgent task of our times."

We couldn't agree more.

A full copy of the report is available here.

Labels: government, standards, Sustainability, United Kingdom

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

Some people have voiced concern over the levels and rates at which we're seeing money being spent. A rally in Grand Junction, Colorado brought more than 2,700 people from across Western Colorado and Eastern Utah together to make their statement against government spending.

Arguing the need for a different kind of 'change' than that of which we have seen so far from this administration, rally participants acknowledged that change is necessary. Citing both the Democratic and Republican parties' need for reassessment, those in attendance hoped to drive grassroots support to speak against volatile government spending.

Throughout tax week, similar rallies have occurred across the country and have been designed to mirror the Boston Tea Party, when revolutionaries protested heavy taxation. More and more, we are hearing about the actions of those speaking against the recent bank bailouts, the $787 billion federal stimulus package and other government spending of tax dollars. When Congress reconvenes next week, we'll be anxious to hear what progress has (or hasn't) been made with the budget.

Bottom lines are no longer just a concern for the people. It is time for our government to take action and to set an example. Earlier this week, we announced the release and availability of our recently completed white paper that addresses the concern of government spending as a means to showcase one way that the government can save money while maintaining entirely sustainable, green practices through the refurbishment of government assets.

The whitepaper is available for download with registration here.

Labels: government, spending, white paper

As we blogged last week, we are releasing a new white paper titled "Government Employees with a Sustainable Future." The paper examines how public bodies can save money through better management of furniture assets.

Right now, the US Federal Government owns arguably one of the largest furniture assets in the world. The white paper questions the management systems in place for this vast furniture resource – in our opinion, there is little evidence of support for reuse and repair of many assets, and there is ample room for improvement. The paper gives specific examples to demonstrate the savings for both military and non-military government bodies, with all costs examined in detail.

The paper highlights a number of specific areas:

*How government bodies can reduce some costs by up to 80%
*Wasted costs
*Myths about furniture refinishing
*The process and the benefits of furniture refinishing

It's possible to improve the quality of furniture assets in most organizations while significantly reducing both the environmental impact and cost. And saving money is crucial for all organizations - both private and public - in this tough economic climate.

To request the white paper simply fill in your details here

Labels: Asset Management, government, white paper

The US Federal Government has one of the largest inventories of furniture assets in the world. At The Refinishing Touch we literally have hands-on perspective of many of these assets as we’ve completed federal Government projects from courthouses, US Navy bases and US Army barracks, to projects at The White House.

With all of this in mind we are publishing a new whitepaper next week that analyzes government spend on assets. Titled “Government Employees with a Sustainable Future” the TRT-authored paper is undergoing its final polish and will be available on Tuesday, April 14^th.

In it, we review how federal bodies manage furniture assets, and the costs involved - with some thoughts about how the principles of reduce, reuse and recycle could be applied as well as the financial and environmental benefits. We also come to some startling conclusions in terms of savings: recycling and reuse can slash some government expenditure by up to 84%.

At a time when the economy is in recession, it’s vital that governments innovate to ensure the use of the funds and resources at their disposal, and demonstrate a solid commitment to environmental sustainability initiatives.

If you have an interest in this please visit our website on Tuesday where you can request a free copy or send an email to sales@therefinishingtouch.com.

Labels: Asset Management, government, Sustainability

As expected, President Barack Obama has been challenged at every level since he moved into the White House. Planning and overseeing the country's economy during what some media has coined as "The Great Recession" has resulted in spotlights and scrutiny on every detail and announcement relating to the administration’s spending reform plans.

Earlier this month the Associated Press reviewed the President's plans to "overhaul broken US contracting" and to address wasteful spending. Estimates place US spending on on government contracts since 2001 at about $500 billion. President Obama and his team plans to shave $40 billion a year off this spend.

As expected, the President has come under a great deal of scrutiny from opponents who have criticized his plans as cavalier. Questioning whether enough time has been spent sorting and understanding existing government contracts, critics say the administration has not identified contracts that have proven to stand out for their effectiveness and efficiency over the course of time.

The Refinishing Touch has a long history of dealing with a range of government departments, contracts and projects. Yes, there can be a great deal of red tape and a need to understand detailed processes and procedures, but projects are rewarding, worthwhile, and we are glad to contribute to the sustainability efforts of our nation's agencies and adminstration.

Wherever and whoever is 'right' over how the current administration is handling its review of contracts, we welcome any coverage of a debate that reviews inefficiency in our nation's spend - which is after all, taxpayers' money - and any altercations that bring more rationale and sustainable ways of conducting government business.

Labels: contracting, government, President Barack Obama, Sustainability

A few weeks ago, the General Services Administration (GSA) announced plans for the increased budget following President Obama's Reinvestment and Recovery Act.

As the government agency responsible for one quarter of the US government's procurement dollars, the GSA plays a key role in the management of federal assets and by relation in the deployment of energy efficiency and green initiatives. The GSA's regulation of federal assets includes an estimated 8,600 government buildings.

The Recovery Act has allocated $5.55 billion for building projects as a part of the legislation and the GSA has stated its position "to connect agencies with cost effective, high-quality and environmentally friendly commercial products and services."

The Refinishing Touch has had a long standing relationship with the United States Government – our team has the experience that comes with the completion of sustainability and refinishing initiatives for dozens of government institutions, and hundreds of thousands of individual furniture assets.

In a time when consumers and businesses are considering asset lifetime, it is encouraging and important to see the government lead by example. We here at TRT pride ourselves in the cost efficient, environmentally friendly solution that we have to offer and look forward to many more years of collaboration in achieving the goals that President Obama's administration has set for a greater, greener nation.

Labels: government, GSA, Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

As a company we've always been involved in organizations and associations that drive change and communicate new processes. In line with this our Founder and President, Mario Insenga, has served as a Board member for the General Services Administration (GSA) Quality Partnership Council, a role which he has held for two years.

This week Mario travelled up to Capitol Hill in his capacity as acting chair so he could attend and MC the council's March meeting. The meeting sees GSA departments come together to discuss and collaborate on a range of activities from green initiatives to the Trade Agreements Act. He's come back to Georgia encouraged and motivated by the meetings, ideas and enthusiasm of everyone involved.

Mario also returned with a new award to add to The Refinishing Touch's collection: as on Wednesday, the GSA awarded him with an 'Outstanding Service Award' in recognition of his contribution.

We are thrilled with Mario's recognition by the GSA, (which is the second GSA award we've won!) and proud that The Refinishing Touch is reminding Washington of our core message: reduce, reuse and recycle.

Labels: government, GSA, Recycle, Reduce, Reuse

As the count down is on for the historic Presidential Inauguration, today we have something to celebrate at The Refinishing Touch, we are pleased to announce that in the January/February 2009 issue of Defense Communities, a bylined article from our President and CEO, Mario Insenga, entitled 'Almost New Again' is included.

The article addresses making use of existing assets and the benefits reusing pieces has not only on the environment but also on an organization's budget, with a specific concentration on Government buildings specifically military departments. Today, we are starting to see that more military bases are starting to comply with USC Title 40 by renovating and reupholstering the furniture in residences which in turn will help the government save money as well as help the planet.

As the clock ticks leading up to the historical inauguration, we, at The Refinishing Touch, plan to share our thoughts on the new environmental plans that have put in place by under the new leadership of President-Elect Barak Obama and how we feel this new leadership will help create the change our country needs. We are looking forward to witnessing history in the making on Tuesday, January 20th.

Labels: Asset Management, Defense Communities, government

President-Elect Barack Obama campaigned hard along the road to the White House. Amongst his platform issues, Obama slated very specific initiatives to move this nation toward greener practices extending from energy efficiency to green building.

The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) continues to work tirelessly using the momentum of the campaign and existing green strategy to ensure sound policies are put in place with his new administration.

Among its initiatives, the USGBC is an institution that remains a strong force in ensuring that promoting green building and efficiency goals remain a priority for the new administration. With these proposals and incentives President-Elect Obama's plans for smart growth have the potential to create some 5 million new green jobs and $35 billion in annual economic activity.

The Presidential election may be over, but we here at The Refinishing Touch are elated to see the campaign efforts of the USGBC continue as we move forward toward a greener America.

Labels: government, Green, USGBC

When we talk about budgets and bottom lines, it's not just the hospitality industry that we're helping. We spend a lot of time using our skill and expertise to help government agencies. Just like any business, these agencies need to ensure, and demonstrate, that they are meeting budgets and furniture standards, while being as environmentally friendly as possible. Furthermore, any government or federal institution has to ensure that they are working with suppliers that meet high procurement standards. The Refinishing Touch meets these standards, and has been awarded several contracts with the US government.

Since then, we have undertaken refurbishing projects for the FBI, a number of Federal courthouses, the U.S. House of Representatives, numerous military housing facilities, and last but not least, The White House. Our work was formally recognized when we were appointed the Evergreen Award from the GSA.

It just goes to show - it doesn't matter if it's a multi-national hotel, a campus-based college or a Federal agency, refinishing your furniture assets has the added bonus of preserving resources and is a good purchasing decision whatever your needs or budget.

Labels: finance, government, saving money

While reading the July/August Issue of Defense Communities Magazine, the Green Team from The Refinishing Touch, noted some rather important information about "Buying Green". According to Executive Orders, EPA policies, and Federal Acquisition Regulations, buying green is not only smart, but it is the law.

Formaldehyde, such a pretty name:
As noted by Eugene Lisa in "Smart Tips for Buying Green", formaldehyde is a carcinogen. Like tar, nicotine, and asbestos, formaldehyde is not good for your body and can cause cancer. Most all furniture products made with particleboard, which binds them together, contain formaldehyde. When you purchase furniture, make sure to avoid formaldehyde - and better yet, just recycle furniture so that you are not funding the creation of more products containing formaldehyde.

Let's talk trash
There are two types of waste: pre-consumer (i.e. factory waste) and post-consumer (i.e. population waste). Pre-consumer waste generally gets recycled through factories, creating revenue for the manufacturer. Post-consumer waste normally ends up in a landfill, creating greenhouse gases and dirty air. Instead of purchasing new furniture and throwing out old, you can reduce pre-consumer and post-consumer waste by simply, reusing furniture.

Breathe in, Breathe Out
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are a common concern when you go outside and the thermometer on your car reads 109 degrees. VOCs are naturally occurring gasses and they are more harmful indoors than outdoors. With environmentally friendly chemistry, TRT can help you avoid these harmful VOCs by using safe materials and will help you breathe much easier.


It's great to see government agencies lead the way in the green movement as it is up to them to set an example for most business owners. By using these "buying green" tactics you can help save money and the environment.

Labels: government, Green

The Refinishing Touch is a member of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) a non-profit group working to "transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built, and operated, enabling environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life."


According to the USGBC's recent newsletter, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which was signed into law in December of this past year, is making way for the "green" movement in both government and education sectors.

Department of Education facilities and High-Performance Federal Buildings have been driven to take a green approach and re-consider "life-cycle costing issues". Rather than a 25-year life cycle, these government assets in questions (i.e. furniture) must now be considered to have a 40-year life cycle.

The Congressional Research Service also states that the Small Business Administration has been authority to make "express loans for certain energy efficiency projects." This is good news for small business owners and The Refinishing Touch, considering our expertise. Being green is the way to go. Pre-planning, with government incentives can lead to rich and emerald future.

For more information, read further details on the Energy Independence and Security Act (PDF warning)

Labels: government, Green, university