FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 20, 1999 CONTACT: Frances Gilliland 961-8838 Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District Rory Lang 882-3615 County of Santa Barbara, Public Works, Solid Waste & Utilities Division

Green Award Winners Announced
Half from North County this Year

SANTA BARBARA, CA — The Green Award Consortium announced today winners of the sixth annual Green Awards, which recognize Santa Barbara County businesses and organizations for outstanding environmental efforts.

"This year we have perhaps the greatest range in types, size, and locations of businesses that we've ever had," said Karen Feeney of the Community Environmental Council, one of four organizations that sponsor the Green Awards every year. The other consortium members are Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD), Traffic Solutions, and Santa Barbara County Public Works Department, Solid Waste Division.

Feeney emphasized that this year is the first time there have been so many winners from the northern part of Santa Barbara County, adding, "The businesses range in size from a one-man business to a 1,000-employee company. We have a major medical center, a law firm, and a hardware store among our winners."

1999 Green Award winners are: Marian Medical Center (Santa Maria), Non-Toxic Landscaping (Santa Barbara), Sanford Winery (Buellton), Santa Barbara Home Improvement Center, and Hatch and Parent (Santa Barbara). "A Print Shop" in Lompoc was selected as winner of a special Environmental Education Award.

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 winners have made outstanding efforts in preventing pollution through pesticide-free farming and landscaping, recycling, reducing the use of toxic materials, supporting energy-efficient building design, and minimizing resource use. Winners have also instituted innovative programs to reward employees for pollution prevention, and encouraged employees to use alternative transportation. "These companies are doing their part for cleaner air and less traffic by helping their employees get to work by carpool or bus," noted Mindy Norris of Traffic Solutions, a member of the Green Awards consortium.

Norris summed up: "One thing all the winners have in common is the commitment to look at all the things they are doing and find creative ways to reduce or prevent pollution. They all went the extra mile. We are delighted to recognize these efforts with the Green Award program." Winners will be honored at a special awards luncheon Friday, September 24, 1999 at the Faculty Club on the University of California Santa Barbara campus. The awards are an annual highlight of Pollution Prevention Week, celebrated nationally during the week of September 20-26.

A description of the winners with contact numbers follows.

Two years ago, Marian Medical Center, a Santa Maria healthcare facility with more than 1000 employees, formed a Partners for the Environment Committee with employees, volunteers, and community leaders. The committee meets monthly to develop environmental strategies for the facility and to review innovative ideas for waste reduction and conservation submitted by employees and volunteers. Individuals with the best ideas are rewarded with a free meal and entry in a monthly drawing for $50. The work of the committee has paid off: the Center reduced the amount of waste sent to the landfill in 1998 by about 14 percent.

The Center has achieved its waste reduction by implementing recycling programs for office paper, and plastic waste from dialysis. Other waste reduction steps include photocopying double-sided copies, using the backsides of old documents for drafts, and re-sterilizing unused equipment from surgery packs. Recently, the Center opened a Franciscan store offering used items for reuse. Every year, the Center recognizes three employees with "Extraordinary Service Awards," which include a $500 award and a plaque. This year for the first time the Center added a new "Franciscan Award" with the same reward for an employee who makes an extraordinary effort in the environmental area.

The Center's goals for the next few years are to continue to reduce waste, to eliminate mercury from the hospital environment by changing out equipment to mercury-free equipment, and to encourage the implementation of all the suggestions the committee receives from employees and volunteers.

Contact: Sister Janet Corcoran, Vice President, Mission Services, 739-3106

"The Green Award is something to celebrate as a great honor for us as an organization. But I see it as recognizing us for trying, for making an effort. We still have a lot to do. We're still taking baby steps, working at it. As Saint Francis said once to his followers who had just achieved something, 'You've done nothing. Now, let's begin.' That's the saying for us. We want to continue to work at preserving and protecting Mother Earth." -- Sister Janet Corcoran, Vice President, Mission Services, Marian Medical Center

Bill Palmisano, a local landscape designer and the owner of Non-Toxic Landscaping in Santa Barbara, uses methods of fertilization, pest control, and weed control that are chemical-free. He has carved out a niche of customers that care about sustainable and low-impact landscaping and has uniquely applied his ecological gardening techniques to meet their demands.

He is the garden manager at the Organic Healthy Lunch Garden at Open Alternative School, where students learn about sustainable and healthful gardening techniques and healthful eating habits. He also works in the garden at Monte Vista School.

He recycles garden waste materials as well as the aluminum, plastic, and paper that is generated in his home, at work, and at the Isla Vista Coop.

Contact: Bill Palmisano, 966-7474

"The Green Award program is a great way to keep these values in people's minds, to keep reminding businesses and people that there's a way to do things that isn't harmful to our environment. I know it will really help me to get my message out." -- Bill Palmisano, Non-Toxic Landscaping

Richard and Thekla Sanford are committed to implementing long-term environmental solutions as owners of the Sanford Winery. Organic farming practices, including the release of beneficial insects for pest control, have been in place for more than 20 years, and eliminate the use of herbicides and pesticides. All organic waste is composted on-site and grape pomace from pressing is used as mulch.

Conservation efforts also include the preservation of 100 acres of old-growth oak woodlands, the placement of owl boxes on the property, participation in the Peregrine Falcon Release Program, and erosion-control measures. The Sanfords are building a new winery with adobe bricks and recycled timber from a deconstructed sawmill. The wastewater from the new winery will be processed and used for irrigation.

The winery also has a commingled recycling program, purchases recycled-content products for use in the facility, prints promotional materials on 100% recycled-content paper or 100% organic cotton clothing, and uses biodegradable cleaning products.

Contact: Beth Burkhart at 688-3300.

"There is no magic to organic farming; it takes inventive action, discipline, and patience. We are happy to share our success and methods used in organic farming with anyone who has that interest. We are proud to be recipients of the Green Award to be recognized for what now has become a lifestyle in our business and farming practices." – J. Richard Sanford, Sanford Winery

The Santa Barbara Home Improvement Center, a local hardware/building supply company, has an ongoing commitment to reduce its impacts on the environment. The business purchases recycled-content office supplies and recycles cardboard, aluminum, metals in plumbing equipment, and office paper. Last year the Center recycled 50 tons of cardboard. In addition, the Center donates older plants and inventory to the zoo and other organizations, and repairs old office equipment for reuse. Sensitive documents are shredded and used as packing material.

The Center provides incentives to employees by using money saved or earned from recycling efforts to buy items for the breakroom. Employees are encouraged to carpool or ride their bikes to work to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.

Contact: Jeannie Probert, Accounting Manager, 963-7825

"We found that recycling cardboard makes a lot of sense from an economic standpoint, in addition to the environmental benefits. That's true about a lot of the environmental choices we've made—they end up saving us money too." -- Michael Owens, Operations Manager, Santa Barbara Home Improvement Center

The Santa Barbara area law offices of Hatch and Parent made environmental goals a priority when the firm began building a new building downtown. The company specified environmentally friendly paints, draperies and carpets, energy-efficient lighting and air conditioning, and low-flow faucets. Hatch and Parent is committed to purchasing recycled-content products, and to recycling cans, bottles, office paper, cardboard, and toner cartridges.

Tim Buynak, the firm's Managing Partner, bikes to work every day. The firm promotes alternative transportation by providing bus passes, bike storage, lockers, and showers, and allowing telecommuting.

Contact: Peggy Krok, Director of Administration, 963-7000.

"Environmental policies are good business. If you're sensitive to environmental issues, you're going to have healthy, happy and productive people working for you. And while some of the things we're doing, like recycling, or buying recycled-content products, don't necessarily benefit us directly, we all feel we're doing something good for the planet, and that brings a certain family spirit to the office." --Tim Buynak, Managing Partner, Hatch and Parent

Greg and Dawn Brown do extensive outreach to educate others about the products and processes they use in operating their print business in Lompoc. The Browns regularly give classes tours of the shop with presentations explaining the printing process, and have a special relationship with Clarence Ruth Elementary School in Lompoc.

Before opening A Print Shop, the Browns did extensive research into environmentally sound printing practices. They use only soy-based (oil-free) inks in their printing process, and encourage customers to select tree-free paper made from the kenaf plant, produced without acids or chlorine. They also promote recycled-content papers, use recycled paper in their advertising and include messages that educate the public about the benefits of these materials. All waste produced at A Print Shop is either donated to schools or other organizations for reuse or is recycled.

Greg and Dawn are also dedicated organic gardeners. They have participated in local cleanup efforts, and Make-a-Difference Day, and they helped plan an Earth Day celebration for local schoolchildren.

Contact: Greg Brown, 735-7706

"My wife and I feel very strongly about educating the younger generation. We know that sometimes a kid will make a classroom visit to our shop and then go home and talk to his or her parents about recycling. Education is just so important to us." –Greg Brown, co-owner, A Print Shop

For more information on the Green Awards Program, contact Frances Gilliland at 961-8838 or gillilandf@sbcapcd.org

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