The latest news on BERC can be found on this page. Read on to find out more.
SEPTEMBER 2011
Butte County Industrial Park Earns Sustainability Certification (Sacramento Sustainable BusinessProgram)
The management office at Highway 70 Industrial Park in Oroville has been awarded a certification by the Sacramento Area Sustainable Business Program for dedicated efforts in reducing their environmental footprint.
Steven Seidenglanz, operator of Highway 70 Industrial Park,
displays his certificate.
Highway 70, located 4801 Feather River Blvd, #29, Oroville, 95965 (530-533-1221), implemented green measures such as: installing signs in restrooms and work areas that remind employees to turn off the water after use; implementing a water efficient landscape irrigation program; replacing standard lights with low or non-mercury fluorescent lamps; conducting an energy use assessment; replacing older appliances with more efficient Energy Star rated equipment; conducting a solid waste assessment to identify ways to reduce waste and increase recycling; purchasing recycled paint and recycled construction materials; recycling all glass, paper, plastic, and metal waste; installing a high efficiency HVAC system; encouraging employee bicycle commuting by providing racks and secure storage areas; and providing access to a tire pressure gauge and compressor for company and employee use (properly inflated tires increase fuel mileage.).
Highway 70 Industrial Park, Oroville, CA
The 69,324 sq.ft. park features a cluster of recycling businesses, such as:
•CleanFlame - turning waste waxed cardboard containers into Campfire logs
• Eco-Safe Environmental Solutions – a "green waste" recycler
• e-Recology - E-waste recyclers
• Visions Environmental Recovery – Latex paint recycler
• Highway 70 Recycling – Metal, styrofoam, appliances, tires & more recyclers
• Surplus City Fabrication – Industrial Equipment restoration recycler
•Country Connections – Wine barrel & wine rack recycler
•RFP Lumber - specializes in drying and remanufacturing Redwood uppers, Port Orford Cedar, Western Red Cedar, and Incense Cedar.
The Sustainable Business Program, operated by the Business Environmental Resource Center (BERC) at McClellan, California, is a free service available to all Sacramento region businesses and organizations. It encourages businesses to conserve resources, prevent pollution, implement green building practices, use energy efficiently, reduce water consumption, and take action to improve air quality.
There is no cost to participate in The Sustainable Business Program. It is made possible through the sponsorship of the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, Sacramento Regional Solid Waste Authority, Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District and by private companies including the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Sacramento Business Journal, Voith Turbo, Inc., and Atlas Disposal Industries.
Over 350 businesses and organizations in the counties of Sacramento, Yolo, Sutter, Yuba, Butte, Nevada, Placer, and El Dorado are currently participating in this voluntary effort to improve the quality of our environment. You can see the list of businesses by visiting SacramentoAreaSustainableBusiness.org
For more information call BERC at 916-874-2100 or visit the website at SacBERC.org
Nominations are being accepted for the Sacramento Area Sustainable Business of the Year Awards, which will take place on September 15.
If you know of a business or organization which deserves special recognition for their exceptional efforts to be green and sustainable, take a few moments to submit a nomination form.
The nomination forms are available online at: is.gd/Awards
Or call (916) 874-2100 to have a form FAXed or emailed to you.
Posted: 07/13/11
Opportunity for Asbestos & Lead Based Paint Specialist (General Education/ WorkshopProgram)
Asbestos & Lead Based Paint Specialist
Enercon offers a broad range of professional services through four divisions: Power Generation Services, Environmental & Industrial Services, Technical & Business Support Services, and New Plant Services. We are a premier engineering design firm with an outstanding reputation for innovation, responsiveness, cost effective solutions, and technical excellence. Using computer aided engineering and computer aided design with multi-disciplined teams of engineers and designers, ENERCON routinely tackles plant and facility design as well as specialized projects to upgrade existing systems, structures and components.
Responsibilities:
· Direct/coordinate Asbestos Inspections and daily work of Inspectors & Air Monitoring Technicians
· Direct/coordinate Lead Based Paint (LBP) Inspections, Risk Assessments, Clearances and daily work of LBP Inspectors
· Interface with Clients and develop cost estimates for Asbestos and LBP Services
Requirements:
Bachelor's or Master's Degree
4-6 years experience performing asbestos inspections and preparing asbestos abatement project designs/abatement specifications
Experience performing LBP inspections/risk assessments/clearances
Working knowledge and familiarity with building mechanical systems
Certified Asbestos Consultant in California (if not, must have State or EPA-accredited training acceptable for obtaining licensing in CA) OR Certified SST(Site Survey Technician)
Licensed Lead Based Paint Project Monitor
Experience with other hazardous and universal regulated waste
40 hour HAZWOPER Training, a plus
NIOSH 582E, a plus
Safe driving record required with ability to travel approximately 50% to and from project sites. Some travel to non-local areas within the state.
Sustainable Business of the Year Awards September 15, 2011 (Sacramento Sustainable BusinessProgram)
Posted: 07/05/11
JUNE 2011
Northern California Natural Food Store Earns Environmental Certification (Sacramento Sustainable BusinessProgram)
Chico Natural Foods Co-op, located at 818 Main St. in Chico, California 95928 has been awarded a Sustainable Business Certification by the Sacramento Area Sustainable Business Program for their dedicated efforts in reducing their environmental footprint.
The grocery retailer implemented green measures such as: conducting a solid waste assessment to reduce waste generation; purchasing products in returnable, reusable, or recyclable containers; providing incentives for customers to return bags and boxes; offering a composting area for customers use, using recycled construction materials for remodeling, providing a designated area for recycling, selling products with recycled content, and recycling batteries and electronic equipment.
The Sustainable Business Program, operated by the Business Environmental Resource Center at 3200 Freedom Park Drive, McClellan, California, 95652 is a free service available to all Sacramento region businesses and organizations. It encourages businesses to conserve resources, prevent pollution, implement green building practices, use energy efficiently, and reduce water consumption.
There is no cost to participate in The Sustainable Business Program. It is made possible through the sponsorship of the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), the Sacramento Regional Solid Waste Authority, and the Business Environmental Resource Center.
Over 300 businesses and organizations in the counties of Sacramento, Yolo, Sutter, Yuba, Butte, Nevada, Placer, and El Dorado are currently participating in this voluntary effort to improve the quality of our environment. You can see the list of businesses by visiting SustainableSacramento.com
Sacramento Sustainability Forum - June 16, 2011 (Sacramento Sustainable BusinessProgram)
The Sacramento Sustainability Forum is a monthly venue for connecting businesses, non-profits, government and interested citizens in the Sacramento region in order to promote sustainability, share insights and resources, and support movement towards a more sustainable future.
The topic for the month of June is 'The Transformation to Sustainable Schools', featuring guest speaker Margarita H. Colmenares. Margarita has over 30 years of leadership experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors. She is an advocate for energy efficiencies and renewables, distributed generation and networked storage, smart grids and transitions to a low carbon society.
The register for this event, click this link:
Posted: 06/10/11
MAY 2011
Cleaner Air Partnership Releases Sacramento Region Air Quality Progress Report (Pollution PreventionProgram)
The Cleaner Air Partnership has released its inaugural Sacramento Region Air Quality Progress Report. This Report evaluates nine key indicators affecting the Sacramento Region's air quality and their impact on public health and economic prosperity. It provides a simplified look at the progress made in the Region and offers recommendations to help continue moving towards achieving the clean air standards.
How does dirty air impact our lives? Dirty air affects all of us. Clean air is a crucial component for a healthy and economically vibrant community. Sacramento Valley has an estimated 640 cardiopulmonary premature deaths each year associated with exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5). If the Sacramento Region doesn't meet requirements associated with federal air standards we are at risk of losing federal transportation funds, and businesses could feel the impact of additional fees and regulations.
Why this report? Significant improvements have been made over the past 20 years in reducing air pollution because the government, public health and business communities have worked together. These efforts should be celebrated!
Doing nothing would have been catastrophic for the region's air quality. Rather than increasing by 49%, nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions, a component of ozone, were reduced by 41% since 1990-despite a 40% increase in population. However, clean air standards continue to tighten in order to protect public health, making the task of meeting those standards even more challenging.
Green Business Operations Certificate Program (Sacramento Sustainable BusinessProgram)
Classes start soon for the Sacramento State College of Continuing Education (CCE) Green Business Operations Certificate Program new online courses.
It's never too early to start planning for the future of your organization. With consumers' increased attention toward green businesses and the growing market for green jobs, it's time to do something good for your business and the environment.
Let CCE's new ONLINE Green Business Operations classes lead you into the sustainable future.
'Transportation & Air Quality' category added (Sacramento Sustainable BusinessProgram)
The Sacramento Area Sustainable Business program has added a new category to the certification process. 'Transportation & Air Quality' focuses on measures that will encourage vehicle trip reductions and improve air quality.
To earn the certification, a business would implement at least 5 Equipment and Facility Sustainability Measures and 5 Sustainability Practice changes.
Suggested Equipment and Facility Sustainability Measures include:
*Provide carpool spaces for use by employees and customers.
*Encourage employee bicycle commuting—offer secure areas for bicycle storage.
*Provide customer bicycle racks.
*Provide lockers and showers for employees who walk or bicycle to work.
Suggested Sustainability Practice changes include:
*Make commuter ride sharing info available to employees
*Offer employee incentives for car-pooling, van-pooling, or using mass transit (e.g. preferred parking, transit subsidy passes, and emergency ride home program).
*Subscribe to 'Spare the Air' email service and promote the program to employees.
*Join a Local Transportation Management Association (TMA).
*Use local air district incentive and grant programs for gas lawnmower replacement, wood burning stove replacement, and other business related incentives.
Call (916) 874-2100 to learn more about becoming certified sustainable.
Posted: 04/13/11
FEBRUARY 2011
RMDZ Zone Works in Sacramento (RMDZProgram)
The RMDZ Zone Works was held in Sacramento on February 2 and 3, 2011.
Social Entrepreneurship Certificate Program (Sacramento Sustainable BusinessProgram)
What is Social Entrepreneurship?
Social Entrepreneurship is a hybrid innovation that applies business and management skills to tackle pressing societal problems with sustainable solutions. This can be accomplished through a non-profit organization, business, or social enterprise.
Why Choose This Certificate Program?
The Social Entrepreneurship Certificate Program, offered by the University of the Pacific's Global Center for Social Entrepreneurship and Center for Professional and Continuing Education, is a six-month ONLINE curriculum that focuses on social enterprise, where business acumen and social mission meet to make a sustainable difference in the world. These courses will focus on how practical business and management skills can be applied to achieve large scale social impact and highlight visionary leaders in the field. As a result, you will be provided with new ideas and innovations that will help you leverage your skill sets not to develop the best businesses in the world, but the best businesses for the world. Drawing on proven experiences from a number of countries, this program illustrates how leading social entrepreneurs advance systemic change and how you can play a part in this vital movement.
For more information call 209-946-2424 or click this link to see the UOP web page.
Posted: 02/17/11
Join the Sustainable Business Program group on LinkedIn.com! (Sacramento Sustainable BusinessProgram)
Now you can show you are a certified Sacramento Area Sustainable Business on your LinkedIn.com profile. As long as your organizaiton is certified in at least one category (energy conservation, water conservation, pollution prevention, solid waste reduction, green building, or transportation and air quality), employees may send a request to join the group.
