Signal Tribune Newspaper » Thinking Green

Third Annual Groundwater Festival highlights water conservation

admin — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:57:58 +0000

The Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD) is hosting its 3rd Annual Groundwater Festival “Treasure Beneath Our Feet” on Saturday, March 13 from 10am to 2pm at the WRD headquarters located at 4040 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood. The free event will have interactive educational activities and exhibits on water resources, water conservation and the environment. Event participants include the Aquarium of the Pacific, the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, and Southern California Edison’s Eco-Mobile.
During the event, the WRD Board of Directors will present the WRD Groundwater Ambassador Awards to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for successfully securing the passage of California’s historic water legislation and Assemblyman Tony Mendoza and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California for their contributions to water conservation and water issues in the region.
The Groundwater Festival is part of National Groundwater Awareness Week (March 7-13), which recognizes the importance of groundwater as a valuable and renewable resource across the nation. According to the National Groundwater Association, about half of the U.S. population receives its drinking water from groundwater, and more than 90 percent of the fresh water around the world is groundwater.

More Information
www.wrd.org

Office of Sustainability’s website informs about Long Beach’s ecology

admin — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 18:16:57 +0000

The Office of Sustainability has been established to facilitate the development and implementation of model sustainability programs for Long Beach. Reporting directly to the city manager, the Office of Sustainability provides leadership and supports practical solutions to improve the environmental, social and economic health of Long Beach. The Office of Sustainability also supports the newly established Sustainable City Commission.
In an effort to provide assistance and resources to the community, the Office of Sustainability has developed a new sustainability website, which is now available at www.longbeach.gov/citymanager/sustainability. The website provides a convenient, one-stop location to learn about all of the city’s green programs and initiatives and provides tips and resources for actions residents and businesses can take to create a clean, green community.
This website also includes information about the Sustainable City Commission, a green city organizational chart and multiple resources related to buildings and neighborhoods, urban nature, waste reduction, water, energy, transportation and eco products and services.
“A green, clean Long Beach is vital to the future quality of life, economic development and health of our residents,” said Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster. “Our new Office of Sustainability will be key to our next step to become a sustainable urban environment.”
The website will soon feature an interactive green map, which will identify green resources throughout the city, such as bike trails, green businesses, parks, transit lines, and other related information. Also in the works is a comment section where comments and suggestions can be posted, as well as a section with community education materials.
“This new website promotes the city’s green initiatives while engaging, educating, and involving the public,” City Manager Pat West said.
The Office of Sustainability is teaming up with city departments on citywide projects including the city’s biodiesel pilot program, pollution control devices on beach outfalls and stormwater catch basins, researching a city green waste program and completing the city’s first greenhouse gas inventory.
The Sustainable City Commission meetings take place the fourth Thursday of each month at 4 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 333 W. Ocean Blvd. For more information, contact Meredith Reynolds, Sustainability Coordinator, at Meredith_Reynolds@longbeach.gov or (562) 570-6396.

Green Port Fest to entertain, educate

admin — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 18:15:09 +0000

The Port of Long Beach will host its fourth annual Green Port Fest on Saturday, Oct. 4.
This year’s Port Fest is a street festival, on Harbor Plaza, in front of the Port Administration Building, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A key word at the fest will be “free.” There will be free parking at the Queen Mary, a boat tour, train rides, entertainment, more than 80 interactive booths, environmental exhibits and more for all ages to enjoy.
The Port will also be giving away free one-day Long Beach Transit bus passes for those who wish to travel to the Green Port Fest and save gas. Call (562) 590-4121 to receive your free one-day bus pass.
For more information about the Green Port Fest, visit http://www.polb.com/community/portfest.asp.

Volunteers sought for 24th Annual Coastal Cleanup

admin — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 19:09:55 +0000

The City of Long Beach is seeking volunteers to help clean up several sites in the city by participating in the 24th Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 20 from 9 a.m. to noon. This year’s sites include: Pierpoint Landing, 200 Aquarium Way; Bluff Park, Ocean Blvd. between Cherry & Junipero St.; Alamitos Beach, Alamitos Ave. to 15th Place; the Beach Maintenance Yard by Belmont Pool, 4000 Olympic Plaza; Colorado Lagoon, 5119 E. Colorado St., Mothers Beach, 5839 Appian Way; and Granada Beach, 1 South Granada Ave. This event is a partnership with the California Coastal Commission, Heal the Bay, the Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine El Dorado Nature Center.
The 2008 Cleanup will look to build on the success of last year’s event, when an estimated 1,700 volunteers turned out to remove more than 7,000 pounds of debris from local beaches– the largest single event in Los Angeles County in terms of volunteers and pounds of debris.
Here in California’s fifth largest city, the trash problem is exacerbated by geography. With more than 28 communities upriver from Long Beach, there is cause for concern among local residents. The City of Long Beach lies between the mouths of two large river systems, the Los Angeles River on the west and the San Gabriel River on the east. Eighty percent of the debris found here is from other jurisdictions, carried here by the storm drain system and these rivers.
Call the City of Long Beach Coordinator Meaghan O’Neill, El Dorado Nature Center, at (562) 570-4876 for group registration or more information. Participants should wear closed-toe shoes, as well as bring hats, sunscreen and water. An adult must accompany participants under the age of 18.

Final court ruling urges truckers to join air quality program

admin — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 19:06:51 +0000

A U.S. District Court judge finalized a ruling Tuesday, September 9, refusing to halt the Port of Long Beach’s landmark Clean Trucks Program, which on October 1 will start improving the region’s air quality by banning the oldest, most polluting trucks.
Judge Christina Snyder cited the program’s environmental and security requirements in dismissing a request by the American Trucking Association for a preliminary injunction.
“Enjoining the (Clean Truck Program’s) concession agreements would have the potential to compromise security measures, which could significantly harm the public interest in secure ports,” Snyder wrote in a 26-page ruling. “Furthermore, the public also has an important interest in ensuring that the environmental benefits from the Clean Trucks Program are implemented.”
Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster said, “This is a huge victory for the City and the Port of Long Beach. From the beginning, our goal has been to help clean the air and do it as quickly and responsibly as possible. Our Port is one of the city’s most critical and important assets. We have a responsibility to Long Beach citizens and the region to take bold steps to clean the air.”
James Hankla, president of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners, said, “Our Clean Trucks Program will bring a new generation of clean trucks and clean air to this region, and begin a new era in port security.”
The American Trucking Association sought to stop the Port from using a concession system to require trucking firms to dispatch only clean trucks to the Port and dispatch only drivers who have undergone a security background check and obtained a federal Transportation Worker Identification Credential. On September 8, Judge Snyder had issued a temporary order rejecting the preliminary injunction.
The Clean Trucks Program on October 1 will start phasing out dirty trucks from port service by barring all 1988 and older vehicles. By 2012, all trucks entering Port terminals must have engines that meet 2007 federal emission standards, which are 80 percent cleaner than existing engines. Also on October 1, the Port will begin assessing a temporary fee of $35 per a 20-foot-long cargo container to fund a one-time truck replacement financial assistance program that will help truck owners to quickly comply with the clean truck deadlines.
Thousands of truckers have already signed on to the Port’s Clean Trucks Program, promising to transition to clean trucks. The Port is urging all truckers to join in improving air quality and moving cargo.

Naturalist to lead tour of local wetlands

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:19:25 +0000

The Long Beach Sierra Club and the Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust are sponsoring a free, guided tour through the Los Cerritos Wetlands on Saturday, Sept. 6 with naturalist Erik Zahn.
Zahn, a graduate of the biology program at California State University Long Beach, did his field work research on the wetlands and knows every part of this once extensive natural habitat.
Participants will learn how wetlands provide nesting areas for an array of seabirds and safe haven for young fish, while exploring this area that is under attack by commercial and residential development.
The wetlands are adjacent to the intersection of Studebaker Avenue and Westminster Boulevard where Long Beach and Seal Beach meet.
The two-hour walk starts at 9 a.m. from the Marketplace parking lot to the east of Trader Joe’s.
Reservations are necessary and may be made by calling (562) 498.2690. For more information, visit http://angeles.sierraclub.org/longbch.

SH tells how to save 50 gallons of water a day

admin — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:33:49 +0000

Courtesy of City of Signal Hill

The City of Signal Hill is asking residents to help prevent a water shortage by saving 50 gallons a day. It’s easy. Here’s how:

• Take shorter showers. Shortening it by five minutes can save 12 gallons. A family of four can save 48 gallons a day.
• Turn off the water when you brush your teeth. This can save five gallons with each brushing. A family of four can save 20 to 40 gallons a day.
• Go to the carwash. Carwashes recycle the water they use. This can save 150 gallons each wash.
• If you wash your own car, put a nozzle on the hose. This can save 50 gallons.
• Fix dripping faucets. This can save 20 gallons of water a day.
• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway, patio, deck or walkway. This can save 50 to 100 gallons.
• Replace old toilets. New toilets save two to four gallons per flush. The City has rebate forms for new toilets and will help you fill them out.

For more information, visit www.cityofsignalhill.org.

E-Waste Center, Best Buy to collect old TVs, computers

admin — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:32:16 +0000

EWaste Center Inc. and Best Buy of Signal Hill will be sponsoring an e-waste collection and recycling event at the Best Buy at 2701 Cherry Avenue on August 23 and 24, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Consumers can help prevent toxic chemicals and hazardous materials from entering landfills by bringing in their old televisions and outdated computers to have them properly disposed of. Best Buy will reward these consumers with a $50 coupon that they can use toward the purchase of a new television or PC at the Signal Hill location. Consumers can also bring in their other outdated electronic products, but they will not qualify for the Best Buy coupon.
The refuse from discarded electronic products, also known as e-waste, often ends up in landfills or incinerators instead of being recycled. Improper disposal of these outdated products also leads to the exportation to third-world countries where strict environmental and labor laws are not present. That means toxic chemicals like lead, cadmium, and mercury that are commonly used in these products can contaminate the land, air, and water. EWaste Center is dedicated to disposing of these products in a safe and ethical manner.
EWaste Center Inc. is a leading e-waste recycling company certified by the Environmental Protection Agency, California Integrated Waste Management Board, and the Department of Toxic Substances. Their vision is to clean up the world, one out-dated hazardous electronic device at a time.
For more information regarding EWaste Center Inc. and the collection event, contact Clara Jung at (323) 837-9950.

Source reduction: Another way to be Earth friendly

admin — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:25:45 +0000

Courtesy of www.edcodisposal.com

Source Reduction simply means reducing the amount of trash you generate by thinking before you act.
We are facing the challenge of having too much trash. Most likely, you’re aware of this and are doing your part to recycle. Believe it or not, you are reducing your impact on our environment by being responsible about your trash disposal. By recycling, you are lengthening the life of our landfills, saving natural resources and conserving energy.
Now it’s time to go one step further and think about how to reduce waste in the first place by going to the source. Sounds complicated, right?
Actually, if you reach for a sponge before you go for the paper towels, you are already reducing waste at the source, or practicing what is called source reduction.
Practicing the art of source reduction is as easy as reusing your grocery bags or replacing paper napkins with cloth ones. These little changes are part of a practice called precycling. Precycling is one of the best habits a consumer can adopt as part of an effective and simple source-reduction plan.
Precycling simply means that each time you reach for an item in the grocery store, department store, fast food restaurant, or wherever, you consider how your purchase and its packaging will affect the environment.
By purchasing products with less packaging, you’ll reduce the amount of trash you create. By choosing packaging you can recycle, you’ll have even less to throw away. The more you precycle, the less trash you produce, and the less resources you consume.
Be picky about packaging. Buy products you know you can either recycle here in our community or reuse at home. Purchase minimally packaged items; avoid multilayered and unnecessary fancy packaging
Avoid disposables. Don’t buy products purposely made to be used once or only a few times and thrown away. (i.e. disposable batteries, diapers, cameras, razors). Instead invest in reusable long-lasting alternatives.
Buy in bulk. Whenever practical, purchase the largest size available. Not only will you be practicing source reduction, you will save money too. Source reduction by precycling means:

• buying products in containers you can recycle in your community, like glass, aluminum or paper.
• avoid single-serve convenience food items, like cup of soups and snack packs
• avoid plastic packaging
• keeping a reusable mug with you when you go
• bringing your own grocery bags to the store

Start today, and remember, every little bit helps!

Evergreen Group companies sponsor 2008’s ICB Marathon

admin — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:24:18 +0000

Evergreen Group’s Evergreen Line and EVA Air are now both corporate sponsors of International City Racing’s 2008 Long Beach International City Bank Marathon. Evergreen Line is the named sponsor of the Kids 1-Mile Fun Run and EVA Air is giving Premium Laurel business-class tickets to the first-place male and female runners in the full Oct. 12 marathon.
“We’re honored that Evergreen Line and EVA Air have both chosen to take part in our marathon,” said Bob Seagren, CEO of International City Racing. “Evergreen Line operates one of the largest container fleets in the world, and EVA has been repeatedly recognized for its quality service and high safety standards. These two sister companies are a perfect fit for the Long Beach International City Bank Marathon.”
In addition to sponsoring the Evergreen Kids 1-Mile Fun Run, Evergreen Line is also underwriting event entry for approximately 500 children now in the Long Beach Parks & Recreation Kids Marathon Training Program. Starting this summer and through the fall, these youngsters are getting in shape through a series of events that will add up to running 25.2 miles. When they complete the final mile in the Evergreen Kids 1-Mile Fun Run, these children will have run the total marathon distance.
Evergreen Line will award a full-marathon medal and special Jr. Beach Runners Kids Run Shirt to each child from the city’s Kids Training Program. “It’s a privilege for us to be part of an event that’s so important to the local community,” said Roy Amalfitano, executive vice president of Evergreen Line’s Southern California headquarters. “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to promote healthy outdoor activities for kids, their parents and everyone else who participates in the different marathon events in a community we think of as home.”
“EVA Air’s excellent service and growing success depend on the airline’s endurance, good health and fitness,” said Y.Y. Chen, senior vice president and head, EVA America Head Office. “We never stop training, preparing and reaching for our personal best with every flight. We have a lot in common with marathon participants and are very pleased to again be a sponsor.”
Since 1976, Evergreen Line has been serving U.S. West Coast ports with modern containership services throughout the globe. The carrier, headquartered in Taiwan, uses Southern California as a gateway for some 40 percent of its cargo that moves in and out of North America. Evergreen is also a leader in the maritime industry for its environmental initiatives, including designing and building the industry’s first “Greenships” that go beyond worldwide standards for container vessels and for a multitude of other innovations that have won the carrier awards for its environmental excellence.