January 31st, 2012 by TRT Blog

As the importance and need for sustainability grows, many businesses have begun taking action to reduce their carbon footprints and environmental impact. As traveling is a large part of most business ventures, the demand for eco-friendly travel options has continued to increase. Even though businesses are making more of an effort to pursue green travel plans and options, they often aren’t sure where to begin. Here is a list of ideas that can help businesses, and individuals, incorporate sustainability when traveling around the world:

Necessity: First make sure that a business trip is absolutely necessary. With the marvels of modern technology and great services such as Skype, GoToMeeting and Google+, it’s easy to utilize time and money with face-to-face meetings, even if you’re miles away, without ever leaving the office.

Public Transportation: Taking the subway, including to and from the airport, is a great way to reduce your company’s carbon footprint. Subways are fast and accessible and are conveniently located in most cities. Plus it saves money, as subway fare often costs far less than renting a car.

Hybrids/Eco-Friendly vehicles: If you happen to land in a location where public transportation is not readily available, many cities now flooded with hybrid taxis, and renting a hybrid car is also an easy way to save money on gas and reduce environmental impact.

Air Travel: As airplane travel produces 2 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions, choosing an airline that is environmentally conscious can help to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Germany’s Lufthansa and Air Canada have both made significant strides in obtaining a carbon-neutral status. If your choice of airline is limited, think about purchasing environmental credits to offset your plane travel emissions.

Lodging: Before booking a hotel room, research hotels that are implementing green initiatives. There is a growing trend in the hospitality world to go green, so these hotels shouldn’t be hard to find. If a certified green hotel isn’t in the cards, be conscious of your actions during your stay—opt out of every day linen and towel washing, during a short stay choose to decline room cleaning and remember to turn the lights off when you leave your room.

Dining: While most of your meals might be eaten on the run, if you have time to sit down look for restaurants, in your hotel or otherwise, that have implemented sustainable methods. Many restaurants these days will advertise where they’ve gotten their food, so choose dishes that feature locally, seasonally grown and organic ingredients to help reduce your carbon footprint and fill your belly.

While it’s not always easy to travel green, it’s important to make the effort to fly, lodge and eat as sustainability as possible to help save the environment and make our world a better place. To learn more about how businessmen and women are traveling green, read an interesting Financial Post article here.

eco-friendly, green, hybrids, Sustainability, Travel

January 17th, 2012 by TRT Blog

Since 2006, the American Colleges and Universities Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) has collected over 674 signatories for the cause. ACUPCC has aimed to combat global climate change through a network of high education institutions that have committed to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions as well as increase research and education to promote the importance of sustainability.

The ACUPCC states that signatories will set a target date and interim goals to become climate neutral, integrate sustainability into the educational experience, and more. The most recent university to announce its sustainability target date is University of Wisconsin, Green Bay (UWGB).

The school has recently set a plan of action to become climate-neutral by 2050. The university has categorized its campus emissions into three categories: direct emissions from university owned and controlled sources, emissions from products that deliver on-campus energy, and emissions related to university operations.

UWGB’s climate plan was released campus-wide for an entire institutional collaboration. To learn more about UWGB’s sustainability plans read the entire article here. To learn more about the American Colleges and Universities Presidents’ Climate Commitment visit the website.

ACUPCC, climate change, education, greenhouse gas, Sustainability, University of Wisconsin

January 6th, 2012 by TRT Blog

As sustainability becomes more important, schools have begun to take the notion of ‘going green’ more seriously. Not only does energy efficiency save money and the environment, it has increasingly become a draw for students. The Department of Education, through its new ‘Green Ribbon’ awards, will be recognizing public schools of all levels around the country for being environmentally conscious.

Experts around the country have made it clear: schools don’t have to be originally built for sustainability in order to lower their carbon footprints. According to senior associate at the nonprofit, Global Green USA, Ted Bardacke, simply by keeping the thermostat at a certain temperature in both the winter and summer, as well as turning off lights and computers at the end of the day, schools can dramatically decrease their energy usage—up to 30 percent.

Very few states have actual environmental education requirements, but through creative teaching, schools can bring learning and sustainability together. For example: English courses can think of creative recycling campaigns, while math courses can learn to calculate a school’s carbon footprint.

As a refinishing and refurbishing company, we support schools of all levels moving towards sustainability. We’re sure that all of the winning schools will be more than worthy!

States begin nominating schools in December and the Department of Education will announce awards in the spring. To read the entire article visit USNews.com and to learn more about the Green Ribbon program visit Ed.gov.

carbon footprint, Department of Education, Global Green USA, Green Ribbon awards, Sustainability

December 27th, 2011 by TRT Blog

The Refinishing Touch works with businesses across multiple industries to achieve the same goal—reuse and repurpose what they already own. In our most recent Lodging Hospitality online article, we discuss how seemingly different industries can come together and share successful solutions to meet industry standards, maximize customer service and maintain commitments to sustainability.

By naming some of the overlooked similarities between the education, hospitality, and government industries, such as time pressures and budget constraints, it makes it clear that cross industry transparency and communication is more important than ever. 

In the article, we stress that by refinishing and refurbishing furniture and paying close attention to proper asset management, industries can benefit both economically and environmentally.

To read the entire article or to share your thoughts on the topic visit LHonline.com. To learn more about The Refinishing Touch visit www.therefinishingtouch.com.

article, communication, Lodging Hospitality, Mario Insenga, similarities, Sustainability

December 20th, 2011 by TRT Blog

Sustainability is the buzz word across college campuses these days. College students across the nation are making efforts to reduce the carbon footprints of their schools in various ways.

In a recent Collegiate Times article, Virginia Tech student Neetu Deo discussed the ways his school was making changes, particularly in their dining halls. For example Virginia Tech has eliminated trays from most dining locations, decreased water use, and minimized food waste. In 2009, the school began its “Farm and Fields” initiative that supplies the school with organic, locally grown food. VA Tech also maintains a garden at a local farm, supplying students with fresh produce and herbs.

Deo details the ways other university dining halls can become sustainable with little effort:

1.     Eliminate trays. Students will pick up less food without trays and therefore, waste less. Schools will also save money on the water previously used to wash trays.

2.     Limit Condiment and Napkin Use. Provide only what students need. Encourage them to pay close attention to how much they use to reduce waste.

3.     Promote Locally Grown Food. Locally grown food is eco-friendly, healthy, and supports local businesses.

4.     Opt for real silverware, cups, and plates (or biodegradable products). Styrofoam products can spend thousands of years in a landfill, use products that can be re-used or break down easily.

As a company devoted to providing environmentally friendly services, The Refinishing Touch applauds the efforts of colleges and universities looking to reduce their carbon footprints and provide students with more sustainable services and choices.

carboon footprint, Collegiate Times, dining halls, Neetu Deo, Sustainability, Universities, Virginia Tech

December 14th, 2011 by TRT Blog

The Refinishing Touch is pleased to announce its most recent article about the benefits of refurbishing and asset management has appeared in the newest edition of American School and University. The Refinishing Touch has worked with over twenty schools around the U.S., and many institutions have experienced the environmental and fiscal advantages of reusing furniture instead of buying new pieces.

Tight budgets and pressure to increase sustainability are two driving factors for schools when choosing between refinishing and buying new.  As assets under regular use begin to age, schools must weigh their options. When it comes time to replace those assets, it is important for schools to consider all of the option and to understand the many benefits of refurbishing and refinishing. 

Not only does refinishing save money, but it also saves the environment. The Refinishing Touch provides schools with a simple way to use what they already own, save money, and move towards the goal of sustainability. To read the entire article, go to the story or pick up the newest edition of AS&U on newsstands now.

American Schools and Universities, AS&U, asset management, budgets, refinishing, Sustainability

December 13th, 2011 by TRT Blog

During this year’s 11^th annual Green Power Leadership Awards, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gave out awards to 19 EPA Green Power Partners. The partners, located all across the country, were chosen based on their use of clean, renewable energy sources, energy security and reducing pollution.

The awards recognize everything from green buildings to green communities, across four different categories, including ‘Green Power Partner of the Year’, ‘Green Power Community of the Year’, ‘On-site Generation’ and ‘Green Power Purchase’. Among the winners were: the Empire State Building, Google, Portland Oregon, Santa Clara University, State Street Corporation and many others.  For the full list, please check here.

The EPA, through its work with the Green Power Partnership and other opportunities, helps 1,300 organizations to achieve their goals in reducing environmental stresses and reliance on conventional electricity use.

Through the goals of the EPA, its Green Power Partners, companies and individuals across the country, America can begin to understand the importance of long-term environmental sustainability commitments as well as turn it into a reality.  That’s something we can all support, and here at The Refinishing Touch we’d like to congratulate all the Power Partners, as well as the organizations across the globe that are working to reduce their environmental impact, and, of course, the EPA for hosting the awards.

electricity, energy security, EPA Green Power Partners, green, Green Power Leadership Awards, Green Power Partnership, renewable energy sources, Sustainability, US Environmental Protection Agency

December 6th, 2011 by TRT Blog

image via UNDP

The United Nations Human Development Index (HDI) rankings were released recently. Each all-purpose HDI score is intended to represent a country’s success at providing quality of life to its citizens. The index takes into account traditional factors of life including life expectancy, adult literacy and per-capita purchasing power.

However, some feel that these HDI rankings continually miss out a critical component: sustainability. This year, Chuluun Togtokh of the National University of Mongolia points out that by not factoring in per-capita carbon emissions, HDI rankings might reasonably deter smaller, less developed countries from continuing their focus on growing sustainably.

Interestingly, when carbon footprints are included to find the proposed Human Sustainable Development Index, many of the world’s top countries drop considerably in the rankings. Australia, the United States and Canada all fall out of the top 10, while Hong Kong, Sweden and Switzerland take over those top spots, and Norway remains at number one.

While both the current indexing system and Togtokh’s proposed system are each an oversimplification of a complex problem, sustainability is certainly an important aspect for our strained environment that should definitely be considered when analyzing quality of life.

carbon emissions, carbon footprint, Chuluun Togtokh, HDI, National University of Mongolia, Sustainability, United Nations, United Nations Human Development Index

November 24th, 2011 by TRT Blog

As another year is quickly coming to a close, it’s nice to be able to look at all of the things we have to be thankful for. At The Refinishing Touch, we are thankful to our customers for their continued support and the wonderful experiences we’ve had with them at job sites across the country. It’s been great to see the continued commitment to sustainability and environmental efficiency from the education, hospitality and government industries.

Thanksgiving is a time for individuals, families, and companies alike to reflect on everything good that has happened in the past year, and although the difficult economy continues to weigh heavily on so many people, it’s still important to momentarily step away from that to enjoy good food and good company.

So, from The Refinishing Touch family to yours, we would like to wish you and your loved ones a safe, healthy and happy Thanksgiving.

environment, holiday, Sustainability, thanks, thanksgiving, The Refinishing Touch

November 1st, 2011 by TRT Blog

Clemson University recently announced the one million dollar award it received for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The funds will create a center for further research and education headquartered at the University’s International Center for Automotive Research focused around ‘sustainable vehicle systems’.

By integrating graduate education and research, the center will aim to develop and design high energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable vehicle propulsion systems.

The chairman of Clemson’s automotive engineering department, Imtiaz Haque, noted that the program was designed to educate students on the importance of sustainability, energy use, emissions, manufacturing and cost.

The DOE Graduate Automotive Technology Education Centers of Excellence focuses on three areas of vehicle technology: propulsion, energy storage and lightweight materials.

As a furniture refinishing and refurbishing company with a focus on sustainability, we understand the importance of energy-efficiency across all platforms and industries. With our close work with universities and schools over the past couple decades, it’s clear that overall sustainability within schools is becoming increasingly important.

For information on decreasing your environmental impact and carbon footprint, visit our website take a look at our Carbon Footprint Calculator.

Clemson, funding, Sustainability, Universities