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Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Ei Celebrates Five-Year Anniversary

GFA, founded by Holly:
Ei's predecessor organization
On February 5, 2010 Elemental Impact (Ei) incorporated as a Georgia non-profit corporation and embarked on an incredible journey. Whew, the first five years were action-packed while the Team lived the tagline: Sustainability in ACTION! The article is a snapshot of work completed, new initiatives launched, honors | recognition received intertwined within the milestones surpassed - all within a mere five years!

 Ei was originally formed as the home for the Zero Waste Zones (ZWZ) launched in 2009 as a Green Foodservice Alliance (GFA) program within the Georgia Restaurant Association.

 When the National Restaurant Association (NRA) purchased the ZWZ in late 2012, Ei was propelled into an amazing metamorphosis to create a new identity & initiatives. The August 2013 IMPACT Blog article, Ei Emerges Strong from Metamorphosis, introduces the three new platforms: Product Stewardship, Recycling Refinement and Water Use | Toxicity.

 Written as a synopsis of the Annual Ei Partner Meeting, The IMPACT Blog article, Ei 2014: A Year of Evolution, gives an in-depth overview of the work-in-progress and accomplishments within the three platforms. At the meeting Ei founder Holly Elmore gave the Annual Ei Year in Review presentation with the following opening slide:
2012: Year of Accomplishments | Completions - in late 2012 the ZWZ were sold to the NRA catapulting Ei into a major metamorphosis. The ZWA Blog article, The NRA Acquires ZWZ, announces the purchase. 
2013: Year of Transitions | Introductions - until fall 2013 Ei flowed within the metamorphosis stage. As the year drew to a close, the three-platforms approach for Ei initiatives emerged. 
2014: Year of Foundations | Evolutions - in 2014 the platforms were grounded with initiative launches and supporting taglines.
Ei Partners Louis Herrera of Hilex
 Hilex Poly & Doug Kunnemann
of NatureWorks @ 2014 Annual Mtg
A common phrase during the ZWZ days "Collaboration is Key to Success" is at the foundation of Ei's plethora of accomplishments. With a strong partnership program, the Ei Team works in a cooperative spirit that spurs creativity, initiates action and focuses on shifting paradigms. Many of the GFA sponsors and advisers remain strong Ei Partners, Strategic Allies and Supporters.

 In celebration of Ei's Big FIVE Birthday long-term Ei Supporter Affairs to Remember Caterers (ATR) planted a tree in Ei's honor! On Saturday, February 21, Holly and Travis Taylor with ATR attended the Trees Atlanta weekly tree planting. WOW, Trees Atlanta selected a six foot sacred Ginkgo tree for the ceremonial planting. According to Ted Andrews in Nature Speak:
The Ginkgo is the sole survivor of a family of trees that was around when the dinosaurs walked the earth. It is considered a living fossil with the ability to survive millions of years of change and even the soot and grime of modern cities. 
Ginkgo tree sign
A perfect selection, the Ginkgo tree is a testimony to Ei's commitment to creating corporate operating practices that balance, complement and eventually benefit the Earth. For a pictorial recount of the tree planting, visit the Ei FB album, Affairs to Remember plants tree in Ei's honor. Thank you ATR - your tree planting gift speaks what words cannot say.

 With amazing timing, the combined Ei Blogs - The IMPACT and Zero Waste in ACTION (ZWA) - surpassed the coveted 250,000 pageviews milestone during the tree planting. The IMPACT Blog article, Ei Blogs Tops 250K Pageviews, celebrates the achievement along with supporting impressive stats.

 As chronicled in The IMPACT Blog article, Ei Awards, Recognition & Awards, Ei was honored throughout 2014 for achievements that spanned back to the GFA days. 
Ei Team w/ Zero Waste Award
At the U.S. Zero Waste Business Council (USZWBC) conference, Holly was presented with the Zero Heroes 2014 Zero Waste Promoter of the Year award. With grateful tears Holly accepted the honor during the first-day luncheon presentation. The ZWA Blog article, Atlanta Shines as Zero Waste Conference Host City, is a recap of the USZWBC conference from Ei's perspective including the prestigious honor.

 Awards continued in the fall when Holly was the recipient of the Green Ribbon Award at the Atlanta Les Dames d'Escoffier International 14th Annual Afternoon in the Country. The prestigious award was given in honor of Holly's sustainability work in the foodservice industry dating back to the GFA. The referenced article includes the many other honors and recognition received during the monumental year.

 Ei's journey is well-documented in blog articles, Ei FB albums and detailed website pages. The Milestones page lists significant events in reverse chronological order on a monthly basis that contributed to current success. Supporting article, album and page links with detailed information are included in the listings. Here is a short milestone synopsis by year:

2010
  • February 05 - Ei incorporates as a Georgia non-profit corporation.
  • May 24 - Compost, The Quiet Hero makes his debut presentation, via spokesperson Holly as ZWZ Director, in a 90-minute solo presentation at the NRA Show in Chicago. The PPT presentation is available for download on the Ei Speaking Engagement page.
  • November 18 -  Ei receives the IRS letter granting 501(c)3 non-profit status.
2011
Holly & the Chris Triad
2012
Indy Ei Partner Tour group
Ei Chair Scott Seydel in front
2013
S-SMRT Team "picking the
Dome" for compostable items
2014
Airborne Kitchen Grease Team
on ATL roof
2015
With 2014 the "Year of Foundations | Evolutions," 2015 is destined as the "Year of  ACTION!" The stage is set, foundation built, team in-place for Ei's incredible journey to catapult into amazing new dimensions of impact, recognition and respect!
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