Teachers, students, waste and recycling haulers, business leaders, and parents interested in recycling at school were in attendance at the November 8^th “Recycling 101” workshop at Berrien RESA in Berrien Springs.  Speakers outlined a number of ways a school can start recycling or improve an existing recycling program, including how to get students directly involved and program funding options.  John Fairchild from Mattawan Schools and Mary Ann Milletics from St. Joseph High School, along with a St. Joe High School student, shared first-hand knowledge of the challenges of recycling at school and the great successes both schools have seen resulting from their programs.  Click below to view the presentations from this workshop.  Contact the event speakers with questions about recycling in schools. The application for the Spring 2013 Berrien County School Recycling Grant is available at www.berriencounty.org/recycle/SchoolRecyclingGrant.

Thank you to Whirlpool for sponsoring the program.  Ron Voglewede from Whirlpool Corporation opened the program with a snapshot of the countless ways Whirlpool is reducing their carbon footprint, leveraging alternative power sources, and approaching many other sustainability efforts Corporation-wide.  Between 1980 and 2010, energy consumption in a typical home from appliances went from about 60% of a home’s overall energy use down to less than 16%.  New technologies, philosophies and approach to designing appliances by Whirlpool has played a huge part in this phenomenal change. 

Ron Greulich, Operations Manager at Shepherd Caster Corporation, shared how his facility’s $50,000 project to switch to more energy efficient lighting, resulted in a safer working environment, boost in employee morale, enhancement of customer perception of the facility, and 5 month return on investment.  Shepherd Caster Corp. in St. Joseph employees 75 people, runs 2 shifts, and has an 110,000 square foot facility.  Unique factors that Shepherd’s facility had to contend with are varying ceiling heights throughout the facility; potential fire issues in storage area from hot, broken bulbs; need for proper light for color matching; and varying occupancy numbers between shifts.  Working with a lighting vendor, Shepherd Casters mapped out a lighting plan, ran calculations using a variety of lighting options, and experimented with the specific lighting that would work best in their unique facility.  Through AEP/Efficiency United, they were able to take advantage of rebates for energy efficiency upgrades, as well as receive tax credits to achieve the 5 month return on investment.  Mr. Greulich said he and the staff at the facility couldn’t be happier about the upgrades made to the lighting. For more information, Ron can be reached at rgreulich@shepherdcasters.com.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Green Lunch                            March 7, 2012
The brand-new Buck - Burgers & Brew in St. Joseph was the scene of an extremely popular Green Lunch event. Nearly 70 people turned out to hear about local CSA options and how to take advantage of "eat local" opportunities. Many thanks to host Ken Kozminski (pictured below) and the following CSAs that participated: To Your Door Produce, Eaters Guild, Oak Hill Farms Walker's Fresh Veggies, Molter Family Orchards. To learn how you can participate, click here.



Annual Meeting with State Sen. John Proos                                       January 27, 2012
During the MGSSBF annual meeting, the Forum welcomed 4 new Board Members: Ken Flowers, Lake Michigan College; Frank Kirschner, I.E. Hampton & Associates; Dave Montayne, CPA; and Quinn Tabbert, Lake Michigan College.  Senator John Proos spoke with the membership about sustainability issues facing Michigan including the emerging green economy, short-term & long-term energy needs in Michigan, agriculture and local foods issues, and use and protection of Michigan’s natural resources. 

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design - Whirlpool Campus Program & Tour   Nov 2, 2011

       A very successful MGSSBF event turned out up to 80 participants who toured Whirlpool Corporation's newest office campus in Benton Harbor.  Having broke ground only 1 year ago, MGSSBF was excited to be the first group to take the tour of the new campus on November 2nd.  Donald Vitek, Director of Global Real Estate for Whirlpool, spearheaded the panel of speakers that drilled down to discuss and explain the details that were involved for Whirlpool to be pursuing their LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Gold Certification.  LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system through the US Green Building Council that allows for practical and measurable green building design, construction, operation, and maintenance solutions.   (For more information on LEED visit usgbc.org).  
       The new Whirlpool Corporation campus will have many green features such as:  maximizing open space; stormwater quality control; heat island effect; energy efficiency & commissioning; green transportation (including installing electric car charging stations!); water use reductio; increased ventilation & CO2 sensors; recycling program & recycled content; in addition to other green features.  Don and his team emphasized the importance of taking the ROI (return on investment) into consideration when making decisions.  That looking at the long term paybacks with implementing some of the campus's "green" features is paramount.  Click for Whirlpool Presentation.  The Benton Harbor downtown campus will be the first LEED Gold Certified building in the Benton Harbor/St. Joseph area.  This sets a milestone for future buildings to take the leap to become LEED Certified.  The 245,275 square foot facility will end final completion in 2013.  Click for here Whirlpool Educational Tour Map.

Overcoming Recycling Roadblocks                           Oct 19, 2011                                                   

MGSSBF's October 19th Recycling Roadblocks event & business expo helped pave the way to removing the roadblocks for anyone trying to recycle in their business, and work towards a successful program.  Bill Gurn, from Haworth, spoke on how Haworth took steps toward a obtaining a ZERO WASTE program!!  All of their waste is diverted in some way to be reused or recycled.  Bill explained the importance of support from upper management to require implementation of a recycle program or this would not have been possible.  The entire organization's team needs to be on board and educated regarding the positive outcomes and benefits of a company wide recycle program.  Bill also spoke on the Michigan Recycling Coalition and the benefits they provide to Michigan companies (http://www.michiganrecycles.org/) on reducing their waste.   Contact Bill Gurn at bill.gurn@haworth.com; phone 616-
393-1215.  Click here for Bill's presentation. 
       Becky Kliss, from Green Connection, shared the results of two local Waste Stream Audits performed at Chemical Bank & Berrien County Courthouse with their Green Teams.  The primary way a business needs to begin or advance with recycling is to find out and know "What is in your waste?"  These two local companies actively participated with Green Connection in facilitating these audits.   Each learned that a waste stream audit isn't as painful as they thought.  The information obtained in such an audit, is a tool to use both with your waste hauler and internally with employee training needs.  At the same time is a way to save money by identifying and implementing areas of change!  Becky encourages all businesses to try this.  For more information on how to get a Waste Stream Audit process set up for your company contact  Becky Kliss at  Green Connection: Email:  becky@GreenConnectionInc.com  or phone 269-849-6226.  Click for Becky's Build a Green Team  presentation.                      
           Bob Havenga, of Reliable Disposal, & Henry Valkema, of Michiana Recycling & Disposal, teamed up to share their waste & recycling experience-even though they are competitors!  Both companies are Founding Members of MGSSBF and believe in doing the right thing.  They encourage businesses to partner with their waste hauler, get  their support , and include them in helping find solutions for reducing waste.  They too reinforced that a good program must start from the top down in a company and how important it is to know what is in your waste (through conducting a waste audit) so they can better guide you.  In addition, for those remodeling or building a new facility, don't forget about dumpster space & how a big  waste truck must be able to maneuver to pick up your waste!!  Bob Havenga, Reliable Disposal:  Email:  havenga@republicservices.com  or phone  269-465-3773.  Henry Valkema, Michiana Recycling & Disposal:  Email:  Trash025@aol.com  or phone 269-684-0900.  Click here for Bob and Henry's Presentation.

 
MGSSBF would like to recognize and give special thanks to Michiana Recycling & Disposal for sponsoring this event. 

Located at 33541 Reum Street, Nile, MI--Michiana Recycling & Disposal is a  recycling and garbage collection organization.  The Green services they offer include FREE recycling pickup for ALL Residential and Commercial customers, as well as, yardwaste pickup for ALL Residential and Commercial customers. 

Local Foods and Bus Tour                                                                             Sept 21, 2011 

                                                             

         

        A very successful and enjoyable Know Your Growers Local Foods Educational Bus tour on Sept 21, featured speaker and tour guide Ron Goldy, Extension Educator, SW District Agriculture (Vegetables) of MSUE. Ron spoke to a bus load of approximately 25 attendees, sharing his vast knowledge of agricultural facts and fiction. Such as, organic foods do not necessarily taste better or more nutritious. Ron explained that"organic" though thought to be products that have never been sprayed/fertilized is a myth.   In fact, he explained that organic practices can't ensure that products are completely free of residues; however, methods are used to minimize pollution from air, soil and water, with the goal to optimize the health & productivity of interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals and people. (National Organic Standards Board, April 1995). Ron stated that local is more important than organic today as many consumers do not like the sterile environment in grocery stores, relationships/trust are not developed, local hasn't traveled as far, and the desire for a closer connection to our foods.  He spoke to the idea to develop a "Buy Smart" philosophy and a relationship with your local farmer. Building trust and sharing knowledge with your local farmer is the way to go. Make it your responsibility to know what is in season, did the farmer grow what they are selling, if not-who did; when was it harvested, as taste and nutrients go down after harvest; how was it stored/handled, as this too can influence nutritional value and taste. Ron's contact information is 944-1477 x207  goldy@anr.msu.edu.   Click here for Ron's Q & A Handout.
         Eric & Dana Lee's Edge of the Woods Farms was the first tour stop. The Lee's graciously shared their process in making maple syrup, including the trek to the trees to retrieve the 50-60 gallons of sap, that are brought back to the sugarshack, where multiple cords of wood are used over 12+ hours in order to make 1 gallon of maple syrup. The Lee's allowed the group to tour the sugar shack and Dana's kitchen, as well as step into the barn for enlightening details of their chickens and eggs. The

Lee's have been involved for a number of years with CSA -Community Supported Agriculture. This is a great program in which the consumer pays up front to the local farmer for the products they will receive through the season. Typically these can be sold as full or half shares, with full shares from $300-$600. By providing up front funds allows the farmer to have available capital when they need it. Most CSAs are seasonal, but some are year round.  Visit Edge of the Woods Farm at 15684 Three Oaks Rd, Three Oaks, MI or edgeofthewoodsfarm.net

       The second stop was at Kaminski Farms Meats (Dave and Linda owners.)  Linda Kaminski spoke to the group sharing that she was not raised a farmer's daughter, rather fell victim to a handsome farmer's face. She then grew her love and passion for farm life. Over the last 8 years Kaminski farms has been working with other farmers to provide the purest and highest quality of locally grown beef and pork. Linda explained that each farm has a particular responsibility to the evolution of these animals. Being that each farm is set up to care for these animals at a particular cycle in their lives. Linda explained that their stock is corn fed, as this allows for a faster developing produce that can be processed in one year. She explained that grass fed stock develop slower (two years) and meats do not have the same marbelization as produced with corn fed stock in one year.   Kaminski farms sell farm fresh beef and pork at their

on site store.  They also can supply special order requests for cuts.  Visit or contact Kaminski Farms at 16682 Schwark Rd, Three Oaks, MI, 269-756-7457,  kaminskifarmsmeats.com    

Kaminski Beef & Pork Meat Store

     The tour began and ended at Round Barn Winery in which attendees of the bus tour and new comers for Green Drinks were able to enjoy the cozy environment of the sustainable round barn itself which was saved and relocated from it's original site, as well as samples of the many luscious wine samples Round Barn produces.  Visit Round Barn Winery at 10683 Hills Rd, Baroda, MI.

 

The Mendel Center Masters Green Lunch                                                       Sept 7  2011

 

 

 

                                                           

     Quinn Tabbert, Mendel Center Food & Beverage Manager, spoke to approximately 20 Green Lunch guests of MGSSBF to share Mendel Center's practice of  healthy habits with local foods.                      
                                                                                                                                                  
Quinn shared helpful tips such as:                                                                                                          

• Utilize website LocalHarvest.org for searching for local food sources
• Look at LocalHarvest.org for sources to get involved in a CSA (Community Shared Agriculture) program to purchase fresh produce
• Find out what specific farmer practices are that you buy from-this will provide peace of mind that your food is coming from a healthy source that you can count on
• Quinn recommends buying items when they are in season (in bulk) and freezing them to utilize year round  (LMC offers food preservation classes as well)
• Google on Utube "Food for all Seasons" and you can see the Mendel Center's local food process

     The guests raved about the meal prepared by the Mendel center which was made fresh and local products.  Quinn answered many questions from the group on how to purchase healthier local foods, and she spoke to the obstacles that are in front of us and our local restaurants to do so.  Quinn also emphasized The Mendel Center's choice in Kaminski Farms for their beef.  (Kaminski Farms is one of our stops on the September 21st Local Foods tour)
 

Green Your Supplier                                                                                         June 15, 2011
    

      The June 15th event on Sustainable Purchasing provided great ideas for everyone.  Abby Corso from the Delta Institute in Chicago spoke on generalized purchasing guidelines that anyone can start with: 
1) Know where your item is coming from geographically (buy local whenever possible)
2) Request less packaging when applicable  
3) Know what you are going to do with the item when your done with it--are you paying to get rid of it, even if through your waste hauler fees?.  
     Abby highly recommended visiting the website:  Buyingbetter.org and reviewing her presentation, that includes the seven sins of GreenWashing. 
     Mary Ellen Mika spoke on the West Michigan Sustainable Purchasing Consortium, and that any business can join for free & take advantage of the benefits;  website is wmspc.org.  
     Steve Beurkens from H & L Advantage, cut right to the chase with when you think your trash is "going away", that there is no "away", it has to go somewhere.  He highly encouraged a dumpster dive audit to know where your at now with your trash, as that tells you what your buying/using, as well as 5S'ing your facility even if you are not going for certification.  He also stressed the importance of finding out where you;re at now with your purchases so that you can benchmark your progress against others....a good resource they found :  US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ)  
Click here to see event flyer.
Click here to see Mary Ellen Mika & Steve Beurkens Powerpoint presentations.
Click here for Mary Ellen Mika's green purchasing decision matrix Excel worksheet that you can use to tailor to your business.
Click here to see Abigail Corso from Delta Institute's Powerpoint presentation on green purchasing guidelines.



John Patten Plug-In Car                                                                                         May 2011
       
                                                         


          MGSSBF was proud to have John Patten, of Western Michigan University, speak on his nearly 20 years of experience with Hybrid/Electric cars.  Patten has even done vehicle testing using a wind turbine to recharge his plug-in car and has tracked much data to analyze the performance and potential savings.
         On moderate temperature days (60-70F), his plug-in car has averaged over 100 mpg in electric mode and has gotten as much as 240 mpg for a single trip; on colder temperature days (0-10F), it gets a minimum of ~50 mpg on fuel; on battery power it costs him between $0.50-$1.00 per gallon of gas equivalent (considering paying for the electricity used to charge the battery pack) to drive it.  The 25 guests in attendance had many questions for Patten, including inquiries related to the Hybrid vehicles out now, of which Patten said to hold tight.  He personally is waiting a year until other vehicles are available for comparison. i.e. the new Toyota Prius will be out in a year, which has advanced technology to offer.
       One caveat Patten offered, based upon over two years real world driving experience with his current plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, is to consider that most of the miles driven would actually be in gas mode (e.g. most longer trips); his data indicates that about 2/3 of his personal driving (commuting and other trips) is in gas mode and 1/3 in electric mode.
        The highlight of the end of Green Lunch was the tour of Patten's plug-in car.  In addition, Patten, along with Nathan Christensen of WMU, and other faculty and students, have started the Green Manufacturing Initiative for Michigan companies.  For more information on this to go to: http://www.wmich.edu/mfe/mrc/greenmanufacturing.  If you would like more information about the plug-in hybrid vehicle program and the associated wind charging system, visit WMU energy web site at: http://www.wmich.edu/mfe/energy/phev/index.php.          

 

Energy Efficiency $avings                                                                               April 27, 2011

When we completed our last survey, Energy Savings was the most requested topic.  With energy costs rising and Indiana Michigan Power being one of MGSSBF's Founding Members, our response was to put together a program that answered many energy saving questions.  Efficiency United, who represents various utility companies, including Michigan Gas Utilities, Midwest Energy, Semco, & I & M, spoke on ways to receive rebates and incentives from upgrading (almost) anything electrical in your facility, especially lighting & large equipment.  Wightman & Associates, shared the various technologies to do an Energy Audit of your facility, as well as many rebates that you can earn through various sources to upgrade your lighting & electrical equipment.  Demonstrations of the energy audit equipment were held on site at Wightman & Associates, so hands-on experience was a bonus!
Click Here for Event Flyer
Click Here for Efficiency United's Presentation            Alan McLeod  877-367-3191   amcleod@franklinenergy.com
Click Here for Wightman Presentation                  Andy Mollison  269-927-0100  amollison@wightman-assoc.com


Making a Case for Sustainability--Case Studies                                           March 2011

Eighty people attended the kick-off meeting for our official change to be known as 'Michigan's Great Southwest Sustainable Business Forum'.  It was held at LMC's M-Tec facility in their technology room where they work on such items as wind turbines & solar projects.  Sam Volkner, instructor of this department, was able to hook up the Powerpoint projector to run off solar panels for the presentations--impressive!  David Rinard of Steelcase, Founding Member & Board Member of the Grand Rapids Sustainable Business Forum (WMSBF) spoke on the benefits WMSBF has brought to their business members. David added the importance of being involved for local companies, as the SBF's goal is to stay "grass roots", and be about the local businesses.  Renae Hesselink of Nichols spoke on their LEED-EB Gold certification project and Darcy Nelles-Serba of Stryker Medical spoke on their LEED-EB Silver project, which is in the top five Manufacturing firms in the United States to earn a LEED certification.  Both Renae & Darcy gave numerous examples on ways to save costs, reduce waste, & minimize health & environmental impacts to the building occupants, from simple to complex items to implement, with the bottom line that you don't have to be pursuing LEED to make changes for the better.  Bob Harrison, of Lake Michigan College, closed with why LMC made the committment to become a Founding Member of Michigan's Great Southwest Sustainable Business Forum and then offered a tour of M-Tec and their 'Tiny House' to see all the innovative projects that M-Tec does with their students.
Click Here for Event Flyer
Click Here for Nichols Presentation
Click Here for Stryker Medical Presentation
Click Here for M-Tec Information                                             
         
     
    
            

Green Roof's & Michigan Tax Incentives for Environmental Projects         Nov 2010

It is an amazing asset to have in our community a Green Roof that is not only beautiful & educational, but most importantly, saving the Curious Kids' Discovery Zone energy costs!  Clifford's Perennial & Vine is to be credited for the amazing outcome, and their story was told at the gathering at the Silver Beach Center in the Discovery Zone.  Clifford's has significant experience & knowledge in the 'green' landscaping/plants department and shared the many benefits to having a green roof.  Robert Jackson from the State of Michigan spoke on many benefits of monies the State has to offer businesses for taking the initiative to implement projects such as LED lighting in parking lots or facilities, appliance rebates, weatherization assistance programs & so forth.  Jill Adams of Berrien County also updated the group regarding monies the County has to offer schools toward implementing a recycling program.
Click Here for Event Flyer
Click Here for State of Michigan Presentation
Click Here for Clifford's Perennials, Green Roof design installer