Ei Sponsor Program Evolves to Partner Program

In unison with the two-year anniversary, the Elemental Impact Sponsor Program evolves into a Partner Program.  Active participation along with sharing of resources, defined as funds, time and expertise, is powerful value Partners bring to Ei's important work.  The IMPACT Blog post, Happy, Happy Birthday Ei!, gives a recap of the amazing progress in two short years.

Ei Partners working together on
a plastic film recycling program

In a mid January conversation with Steve Davies of NatureWorks, a Founding Ei Partner, and Scott Seydel, Ei Chair, it was apparent Ei outgrew the sponsor program and evolved into a partner program. With only one annual membership meeting, Partners join Ei to participate on teams and committees dedicated to ACTION.  By sharing their expertise, Ei Partners create relationships with prospective clients that many times develop into profitable business interaction.


The Sustainable Food Court Initiative Team is a perfect example of national experts working together to create and define emerging operating practices for the foodservice industry.  Well-represented from private enterprise - industry suppliers and foodservice operators, non-profits, trade associations and government, the SFCI Team brings clarity to the confusion present as new practices are developed.  The Zero Waste in ACTION Blog post, SFCI Quarterly Update, gives a recent status update.


Ei welcomes two new partners who are the first to join under the redefined program.  

Heritage Bags joined in late January and is active on the SFCI Atlanta Airport Pilot ACTION Team and the Front-of-the-House Recycling Center Committee.  Randy Holmes, Heritage Bags Director of Marketing, brings a wealth of information on recycling center logistics, working with contracted janitorial services and the important role bin liners play in effective recycling and organics collection programs.  Here is the short intro to Heritage Bags:

Heritage Bag Company is a can liner, food bag and specialty bag manufacturer that was one of the first to manufacture a certified D6400 compostable liner. Our six plants across the country reduce the transportation carbon footprint and allow us to provide a cost savings at the same time.

In February, Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions joined the Ei Partner program via a referral by Zero Waste Zones Participant the GA World Congress Center Authority.  The first "R" REDUCE is integral to Filta's business model with their mobile fryer oil cleaning systems.  Local owner John Lopez intends to join GREASE - Grease Recycling & Energy Alternative Solutions for the Environment - as well serve on SFCI committees.  Here is the short intro to Filta:

Filta services include: FiltaFry - an eco-friendly, mobile onsite micro-filtration of cooking oil service. FiltaCool - provides a cost-effective and ecofriendly solution to businesses that need to control the moisture levels of their refrigeration units/walk-in coolers.

Visit the Ei Partnership page to learn more about WHY and HOW to join the program and participate in the ACTION.  For additional information, contact Ei founder Holly Elmore.

Thank you to the loyal Ei Sponsors who created the vibrant scenario for the Partner program to  emerge!  Welcome to Heritage Bags and Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions to the new program.

Happy, Happy Birthday Ei

February is a celebration month for Elemental Impact. On February 05 Ei officially celebrated a Happy Two-Year Birthday!  In addition to Ei's anniversary, the Zero Waste Zones program surpassed the three-year milestone on February 10.  See the ZWZ Blog, ZWZ Turns Three!, for a recap of the tremendous accomplishments over the past year.


While the ZWZ program is entering "adulthood", the Ei Team is nurturing the Sustainable Food Court Initiative, which is slated to take center stage in 2012.  The ZWZ Blog post, SFCI Quarterly Call Update, is a recent review of the amazing accomplishments as pilots are moving into ACTION mode.


With Susan Montgomery expanding her role from ZWZ Program Director to Ei Program Director, Ei may emphasize existing initiatives and bring new ones to the forefront.  Kudos to Susan for her stellar work organizing and documenting the ZWZ program into a replicable template and valuable asset.  Susan oversees GREASE - Grease Recycling & Energy Alternatives Solutions for the Environment, an Ei Industry Task Force, and is passionate about incorporating health impact | economics into Ei programs.

Ei Team - Elisabeth, Holly,
Susan & Scott

Elisabeth Marchal joined the Ei Team as Administrator in January. Elisabeth's main initial task is cleaning and organizing the Ei website in preparation for a design overhaul.  Stay tuned as the goal is to announce the revamped site by the end of March.  The IMPACT Blog post, Ei Team Expands, Evolves, welcomes Elisabeth and announces Susan's expanded role.


In the December, Ei announced new partner EcoLogic Solutions will take a leadership role in the new Toxic-Free Environment focus.  The IMPACT Blog post, New Ei Sponsor | New Ei Focus, welcomes ELS energetic founder Anselm Doering and gives a preview of the new focus.


Over the next months, Ei anticipates a hearty welcome for new partners enthusiastic to embark upon a Product Stewardship focus.  The forming team is diverse with manufacturers, operators, government, scientists, non-profit and other recruits who care about integrity within the entire value chain.

Ei Board Members Sylvia & Greg

The Ei Board stepped to front stage and provides the necessary support to move Ei into a new chapter of impact.  Thank you Sylvia Gort (Barclays Wealth - business genius), Greg Chafee (Morris, Manning & Martin - legal guru) and Pauline Reynolds (HLB Gross Collins - reality within the excitement, i.e. accounting expert).  A special THANK YOU to Ei Chair Scott Seydel - anyone who knows Scott understands the magnitude of Scott at the helm.


With collaborative effort integrated within the Ei model, success is assured for the important work undertaken. HAPPY BIRTHDAY and loads of gratitude sent to those who contribute their resources to Ei initiatives and projects.