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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACTS: Karen Feeney,963-0583, extension 122 2003 Green Award Winners AnnouncedConsortium Celebrates Tenth Anniversary of Awards ProgramSANTA BARBARA, CA ¾ The Green Award Consortium announced today winners of the Green Awards, which recognize Santa Barbara County businesses and organizations for outstanding environmental efforts. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the awards program. More than 50 outstanding companies from throughout Santa Barbara County have been recognized over the past ten years. “Green Award winners have served as models for other businesses and organizations in the county over the past decade, notes Alan Nakashima of Santa Barbara County Public Works, Solid Waste and Utilities Division. “Winners have not only inspired others, they have also expanded their own environmental efforts into new areas.” The other consortium members are the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District, Community Environmental Council, Santa Barbara County Water Agency, and Traffic Solutions. The 2003 Green Award winners represent a range of businesses and organizations, and their efforts to protect our environment include a wide range of activities. Honored this year with Green Awards are: DesignARC (Santa Barbara); Discoveries Learning Center (Santa Barbara); Intri-Plex Industries (Goleta); livingreen (Santa Barbara). In celebration of the Tenth Anniversary, J Richard Sanford of Sanford Winery & Vineyards will deliver a keynote speech at this year's award ceremony. Sanford Winery won a Green Award in 1999, and in 2000 Sanford’s estate vineyards were the first in Santa Barbara County to be certified organic by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). In June of this year, Sanford Winery & Vineyards were honored with the Environmental Defense Center’s 2003 Environmental Hero Award for their commitment to protecting the environment, and their support of local environmental organizations. The Green Award recognizes companies and organizations for voluntary activities, above and beyond their primary missions that result in cleaner air or water, less waste, less traffic, conservation of energy and natural resources, or reduced use of hazardous materials. The awards are an annual highlight of Pollution Prevention Week, celebrated nationally during the week of September 15-21. Winners will be honored at a special awards luncheon Friday, September 19. Photographs of the winners are available. Meet the Winners: A description of the winners with contact numbers follows. DesignARC: DesignARC, a local architectural firm, has a number of programs that provide exceptional environmental benefits. The company’s offices are located in a "recycled" space within an old lemon-packing building in the industrial area of Santa Barbara. Recycling of glass, paper, plastic, and waste plot paper has reduced DesignARC’s trash by approximately 20-30 percent. The firm has also saved energy by installing stage lighting systems, and switching off unnecessary lights during office hours to reduce cooling loads and lighting costs. DesignARC has specified non-toxic cleaning products for use by its cleaning contractor. The company provides bicycle parking and encourages carpooling. Principals of the firm regularly volunteer their time to teach sustainable architectural design principles to local elementary school children. DesignARC has also donated time to develop project literature to educate the general public about sustainable and green building practices. Discoveries Learning
Centers Discoveries Learning Center in Santa Barbara has a superior environmental ethic, demonstrated through multiple efforts. The preschool has a "trashless lunch" policy, which educates both parents and children about the importance of minimizing waste. The policy directs parents to send lunches in reusable plastic containers. Instructors teach the children about reducing, reusing and recycling trash to help them understand the importance of the lunch policy. The Center has a worm bin, and composts organic wastes, and has a policy of purchasing Energy Star® appliances. Creative activities incorporate recycled materials from Art from Scrap, and scrap paper is either used for children’s art, made into notepads for the instructors, or fed to the worms. School field trips have involved the use of MTD buses to introduce the children to public transportation, and to teach the importance of using alternatives to driving alone. These activities not only instill in the children a sense of responsibility for the environment from an early age, but also provide a message that they can share with their parents. Intri-Plex
Technologies Intri-Plex Technologies, a precision metal stamping and post processing company, is an outstanding example of a business that has worked to make the entire process of producing its product more environmentally safe. In just one year the firm has successfully reduced its use of solvents/chemicals from 1350 pounds down to almost zero. Intri-Plex has the potential to use a lot of hazardous chemicals. Instead, the firm took a closer look at its equipment and systems and was able to pioneer new processes that increase part performance while protecting the environment. Existing equipment was changed to be more efficient, manufacturing specifications were improved, and water-soluble oils were selected to reduce the requirement for toxic cleaning chemicals. Intri-Plex also implemented a recycling program for paper, cardboard, and toner cartridges. The company took the initiative to host a Transportation Fair to educate its 133 employees on how to use alternative means of transportation for the daily commute. In addition, Intri-Plex employees formed a “Fun Committee” to work on conservation efforts and quality of life issues. These activities demonstrate a business with a corporate culture that is environmentally aware and cares about the health of its employees. livingreen Ellen Strickland, 966-1319 Livingreen is a local building and finish materials supplier specializing in environmentally healthy products. They conduct daily business operations with an eye on environmental protection, using safe cleaning products, recycling cardboard, plastic, paper waste, and building salvage. Products are sold in the store because they are non-toxic, energy-efficient, made from recycled content, packaged with environmentally sustainable materials, and delivered efficiently to reduce vehicle emissions and traffic demands. The company also plants drought tolerant plants around its storefront, encourages biking to work by employees, and turns off the lights when they aren’t in use. The company participates in Earth Day events, the annual Parade of Green Buildings, the Green Building Alliance, adult education and community event presentations. The firm has also published articles in Casa Santa Barbara on new and exciting green products, green practices and healthy solutions.
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