Leaders brainstorm cheap ways to reduce their environmental impact
"Going green" doesn't have to be difficult or expensive.Exploring ways businesses can reduce their environmental impact right now was the focus Thursday of York County's first green business conference, sponsored by Rock Hill, York County, York Technical College and the state Department of Health and Environmental Control.
More than 200 attendees from business, government and schools heard about affordable ways they can reduce waste, save energy, encourage sustainable practices among employees and in the workplace and lower their bottom line.Ideas ranged from using nontoxic, chemical-free cleaning agents
and changing out incandescent light bulbs for more efficient ones, to starting recycling programs.
Employee reimbursements for buying hybrid cars, measuring waste output and using environmentally friendly construction materials and practices are strategies Bank of America implements in its 120 million square feet of building space, said Lisa Shpritz, the keynote speaker and the bank's director of environmental risk and sustainability.
Waiting for renewable energy
Less plentiful than ideas for reducing energy and waste were discussions of how renewable energy could help meet York County and the state's energy needs.
Jimmy Bagley, Rock Hill assistant city manager, said local governments are working with the state to explore ways nuclear, off-shore wind and solar energy could help meet future energy needs.
But additional studies and investments will come before the more expensive renewable energy options become a viable solution to meeting our energy needs, he said.
The question is: "Who pays for it?"
At least one local manufacturing company could use some help from the state legislature in encouraging growth of companies dealing in wind power.
An influx of companies building power-generating wind turbines would provide an explosion of demand for the machine parts produced at Ajax Rolled Ring and Machine in York, said Jerry Smith, Ajax development manager.
A plan to build a new plant is on hold while the company waits for demand to increase and new markets to open up, Smith said. If wind power became a South Carolina priority, he said, the company would move "full speed ahead" in expanding.
Strive for zero waste
Twenty years ago, a landfill was the only place to get rid of waste, said Russell Ravell, environmental health and safety specialist for Daimler, which makes Mercedes-Benz vans in Ladson.
But now, there are so many outlets for recycling different types of materials that a zero-waste initiative isn't that difficult to carry out.
"There's no reason you can't recycle just about anything," Ravell said.
From 2005 to now, Daimler has reduced its landfill waste to less than 1 percent and is working toward zero waste, he said.
Last year, Daimler recycled 2,000 tons of wood and 40,000 tons of plastic, among other materials including steel.
Ravell said businesses could turn to DHEC to find out where to send waste.
Training green work force
York Technical College has several programs aimed at teaching students how to improve energy efficiency, said George Russell, the school's energy and environment program manager for continuing education.
Two classes focus on how to weatherize a home to reduce energy loss, and plumbing and wiring a home using low-flow fixtures and efficient appliances.
A new course set to go online soon will cover the science and installation of solar panels and solar hot water systems.
New to the idea of sustainability, Rock Hill parks and recreation employee Katie Simmons was excited to see so much of the community interested in sustainability.
It's clear, she said, that going green is more than just an option for businesses.
"Everybody's talking about how businesses need to be green," she said.
"Now, you kind of have to be."
and changing out incandescent light bulbs for more efficient ones, to starting recycling programs.
Employee reimbursements for buying hybrid cars, measuring waste output and using environmentally friendly construction materials and practices are strategies Bank of America implements in its 120 million square feet of building space, said Lisa Shpritz, the keynote speaker and the bank's director of environmental risk and sustainability.
Waiting for renewable energy
Less plentiful than ideas for reducing energy and waste were discussions of how renewable energy could help meet York County and the state's energy needs.
Jimmy Bagley, Rock Hill assistant city manager, said local governments are working with the state to explore ways nuclear, off-shore wind and solar energy could help meet future energy needs.
But additional studies and investments will come before the more expensive renewable energy options become a viable solution to meeting our energy needs, he said.
The question is: "Who pays for it?"
At least one local manufacturing company could use some help from the state legislature in encouraging growth of companies dealing in wind power.
An influx of companies building power-generating wind turbines would provide an explosion of demand for the machine parts produced at Ajax Rolled Ring and Machine in York, said Jerry Smith, Ajax development manager.
A plan to build a new plant is on hold while the company waits for demand to increase and new markets to open up, Smith said. If wind power became a South Carolina priority, he said, the company would move "full speed ahead" in expanding.
Strive for zero waste
Twenty years ago, a landfill was the only place to get rid of waste, said Russell Ravell, environmental health and safety specialist for Daimler, which makes Mercedes-Benz vans in Ladson.
But now, there are so many outlets for recycling different types of materials that a zero-waste initiative isn't that difficult to carry out.
"There's no reason you can't recycle just about anything," Ravell said.
From 2005 to now, Daimler has reduced its landfill waste to less than 1 percent and is working toward zero waste, he said.
Last year, Daimler recycled 2,000 tons of wood and 40,000 tons of plastic, among other materials including steel.
Ravell said businesses could turn to DHEC to find out where to send waste.
Training green work force
York Technical College has several programs aimed at teaching students how to improve energy efficiency, said George Russell, the school's energy and environment program manager for continuing education.
Two classes focus on how to weatherize a home to reduce energy loss, and plumbing and wiring a home using low-flow fixtures and efficient appliances.
A new course set to go online soon will cover the science and installation of solar panels and solar hot water systems.
New to the idea of sustainability, Rock Hill parks and recreation employee Katie Simmons was excited to see so much of the community interested in sustainability.
It's clear, she said, that going green is more than just an option for businesses.
"Everybody's talking about how businesses need to be green," she said.
"Now, you kind of have to be."
