tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83438624238901602222024-03-28T23:29:53.620-04:00The IMPACTan Elemental Impact on-line magazineHolly Elmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320051691727973987noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343862423890160222.post-30171706599322116982016-11-23T16:32:00.000-05:002018-11-15T13:49:11.623-05:00Ei 2016: A Year of Recognition<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jyUNv21Ylcw/WDW_0enQh5I/AAAAAAAALM0/d7zmf-z8uc8lao0eVSqb9JjsCFsIajEnACLcB/s1600/11-17-16_EiPtrMtg_mtgroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="85" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jyUNv21Ylcw/WDW_0enQh5I/AAAAAAAALM0/d7zmf-z8uc8lao0eVSqb9JjsCFsIajEnACLcB/s200/11-17-16_EiPtrMtg_mtgroom.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ei Partners traveled from across the<br />
nation for intimate, powerful meeting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On Thursday, November 17 <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/" target="_blank">Elemental Impact</a> <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/ei-team#partners" target="_blank">Partners</a>, <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/ei-team#friends" target="_blank">Friends</a>, <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/ei-team#supporters" target="_blank">Supporters</a>, <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/ei-team#strategic-allies" target="_blank">Strategic Allies</a> and <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/leadership#advisory-council" target="_blank">Advisory Council</a> Members traveled from across the nation to attend the <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/Annual_Ei_Partner_Meeting" target="_blank">Annual Ei Partner Meeting</a>. It was a powerful day filled with education, updates, camaraderie along with great food and wine. Thank you <a href="http://www.hlbgrosscollins.com/" target="_blank">HLB Gross Collins</a> for hosting the meeting and reception.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ei Chair Scott Seydel welcomed the Ei Family with a reminder the meeting follows the <a href="http://www.continuityforum.org/content/news/2005/14/chatham-house-rule-explained" target="_blank">Chatham House Rule</a>. After introductions, Ei Founder Holly Elmore gave the annual <i>Ei Year in Review</i> presentation. In her opening slide, Holly summarized the past and current years as follows:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2012: Year of Accomplishments | Completions</b> - in late 2012 the <a href="http://elementalimpact.org/Zero-Waste-Zones" target="_blank">Zero Waste Zones</a> (ZWZ) were sold to the National Restaurant Association catapulting Ei into a major metamorphosis.The ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2012/10/ei-established-program-creator.html" target="_blank">The NRA Acquires ZWZ</a></i>, announces the monumental acquisition.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2013: Year of Transitions | Introductions</b> - until fall 2013 Ei flowed within the metamorphosis stage. As the year drew to a close, the three-platforms approach emerged. The IMPACT Blog, <i><a href="http://elementalimpact.blogspot.com/2013/08/ei-emerges-strong-from-metamorphosis.html" target="_blank">Ei Emerges Strong from Metamorphosis</a></i>, introduced the three platforms: <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/Product_Stewardship" target="_blank">Product Stewardship</a>, <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/RecyclingRefinement" target="_blank">Recycling Refinement</a> and <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/Water_Use_Toxicity" target="_blank">Water Use | Toxicity</a>. The IMPACT Blog article, <i><a href="http://elementalimpact.blogspot.com/2013/12/another-year-another-annual-ei-partner.html" target="_blank">Another Year, Another Annual Ei Partner Meeting</a></i>, recaps the formation of the new Ei three-platform approach for pilots and initiatives.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2014: Year of Foundations | Evolutions</b> - in 2014 the platforms were grounded with initiative launches and supporting taglines. The IMPACT Blog article, <i><a href="http://elementalimpact.blogspot.com/2014/11/ei-2014-year-of-evolution.html" target="_blank">Ei 2014: A Year of Evolution</a></i>, provides a summary of the platform foundations. </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2015: Year of ACTION</b> - in 2015 Ei lived up to its tagline: <i><b>Sustainability in ACTION!</b></i> The IMPACT Blog article, <i><a href="http://elementalimpact.blogspot.com/2015/11/ei-2015-year-of-action.html" target="_blank">Ei 2015: A Year of ACTION</a></i>, summarizes the empowering year.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2016: Year of Recognition</b> - in 2016 Ei's important work was recognized in published industry case studies and Ei-hosted national conference panels. In addition, the Ei Blogs' following significantly increased and Holly was recognized as a respected journalist.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In her <i>Year in Review</i> presentation, Holly gave a synopsis of Ei recognition including a powerful speaking circuit at universities and national conferences:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Colleges | Universities</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">:</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y219oyHBR3k/WDXAfEbQWgI/AAAAAAAALM8/LyVlIf2A_3oUg3UZg53hXtnsOQshIV1zgCLcB/s1600/03-01-16%2BEi%2BATL%2BHolly%2Bspeaking%2B%2540%2BGa%2BTech%2B-%2BSOS-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y219oyHBR3k/WDXAfEbQWgI/AAAAAAAALM8/LyVlIf2A_3oUg3UZg53hXtnsOQshIV1zgCLcB/s200/03-01-16%2BEi%2BATL%2BHolly%2Bspeaking%2B%2540%2BGa%2BTech%2B-%2BSOS-Edit.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holly speaking @ Ga Tech<br />
photo courtesy of Scott Seydel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>GA Tech Engineers for a Sustainable Future</u>: <i>Sustainability of the Spirit</i> 60-min session w/ Q&A. The IMPACT Blog article, <i><a href="http://elementalimpact.blogspot.com/2016/03/sustainability-of-spirit.html" target="_blank">Sustainability of the Spirit</a></i>, recaps the inspirational session; In June an Ei cousin blog, <i><a href="https://sustainabilityofthespirit.org/" target="_blank">Sustainability of the Spirit</a></i>, launched to incorporate heart-based perspectives into Ei's important work.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>GA Tech Supply Chain Modeling class</u>: 60-min lecture, <i>Supply Chain's Role in Zero Waste. </i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-zero-waste-journey-supply-value.html" target="_blank">The Zero Waste Journey: Supply | Value Chain, <b>WE Consciousness</b> & Power of Consumer Demand are Integral to Success</a></i>, is an overview of Holly's lecture along with in-depth copy on discussed concepts.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>Emory University Planet, People, Profits: A Conference on Business and the Environment</u>: presented on the <i>Innovative Practices in Corporate Environmental Sustainability</i> panel.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Ei-Hosted Panels @ Industry Conferences</b>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>2016 U.S. Composting Council Conference</u></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Getting to Zero Food Waste: Composting at Special Events</i> - The ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2016/02/in-late-january-industry-professional.html" target="_blank">2016 USCC Conference: Soils for a Greener World</a></i>, showcases the Ei panel.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>2016 National Zero Waste Business Conference (NZWBC)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PHOZEVbU2-k/WDXk9wwTx0I/AAAAAAAALO8/kyKlqRbIiDwzGzO-3bUwnLzqjNbQXV_IwCLcB/s1600/01-26-16%2BEi%2BUSCC%2BEi%2BTeam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="129" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PHOZEVbU2-k/WDXk9wwTx0I/AAAAAAAALO8/kyKlqRbIiDwzGzO-3bUwnLzqjNbQXV_IwCLcB/s200/01-26-16%2BEi%2BUSCC%2BEi%2BTeam.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ei Team at USCC Conference</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</u></span></div>
</div>
<ul>
<li><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Food Waste Composting: Challenges, Lessons Learned & Successes </i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">panel</span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - </i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">featured in the ZWA Blog article, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2016/06/a-tuned-in-industry-catches-vibrant.html" target="_blank">A "Tuned In" Industry Catches a Vibrant Zero Waste Beat,</a> </i>chronicling the conference.</span></li>
<li><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Macro Cost of Micro Contamination </i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">panel - The ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-macro-cost-of-micro-contamination.html" target="_blank">The Macro Cost of Micro Contamination</a></i>, is an in-depth summary of the panel. </span></li>
</ul>
<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Industry Webinar</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">:</span><br />
<u style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">U.S. Zero Waste Business Council</u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">:</span><br />
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<li><i>Recycling: The Business Case</i> co-presented by Ei Founder Holly Elmore & <a href="http://www.container-recycling.org/" target="_blank">Container Recycling Institute</a> President Susan Collins in December, 2016.</li>
</span></ul>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2016/11/a-recycling-or-contamination-crisis.html#uds-search-results" target="_blank">A Recycling or Contamination Crisis? an article series</a></i>, was published to coincide with the <i>Recycling: The Business Case</i> webinar promotion. Important to the industry, the article garnered 800 views since its November 6 publication, a mere two plus weeks!</span></div>
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Intended article series topics include:</div>
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<ul>
<li><u>Waste Prevention</u> – working within the value chain.</li>
<li><u><b><i>WE Consciousness</i></b> | Culture</u> – working together is key | top management buy-in is essential to creating a zero waste culture.</li>
<li><u>Hauler | Generator Responsibility</u> - working together, hauler & customer craft recycling programs that generate clean streams and make solid business sense.</li>
<li><u>Clear Communication</u> - educating employers and guests on proper placement for material and trash.</li>
<li><u>Local Infrastructure </u>- working with grass roots recycling companies on flexible programs unique to the local end market.</li>
</ul>
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Case studies validate accomplishments and serve as templates | encouragement for related organizations to follow suit. The week of the Annual Ei Partner Meeting, three Ei-related case studies were published: <i>RayDay Embraces Path to Waste Reduction, Proven Steps Culminate Into Waste Reduction Success, </i>and<i> a Comparative Case Study: Plastic Film Recycling at Two Simon Malls</i>.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tcL6BImIAcU/WDXK63hDY7I/AAAAAAAALNc/xD_PkPRxMDsZ1VdqUCOtRhmUfBXa8uKpACLcB/s1600/NW-RayDay-CaseStudy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tcL6BImIAcU/WDXK63hDY7I/AAAAAAAALNc/xD_PkPRxMDsZ1VdqUCOtRhmUfBXa8uKpACLcB/s200/NW-RayDay-CaseStudy.JPG" width="154" /></a>Ei Partner <a href="http://www.natureworksllc.com/" target="_blank">NatureWorks</a> published the <i>RayDay Embraces Path to Waste Reduction </i>and <i>Proven Steps Culminate Into Waste Reduction Success</i> case studies to showcase the 2015 <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/zero-food-waste-journeys" target="_blank">Ei Zero Food Waste Journeys</a>. Thanks to SMAT - <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/sustainable-materials-committee" target="_blank">Sustainable Materials ACTION Team</a> - leadership, 2015 RayDay achieved zero food waste, including the caterer's food prep scraps. The ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2015/11/simple-easy-proven-steps-culminate-in.html" target="_blank">Simple, easy, proven steps culminate in zero food waste success</a></i>, chronicles the RayDay accomplishment in alignment with the case study. </div>
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The <i>Proven Steps Culminate Into Waste Reduction Success</i> case study highlights waste reduction at the 2015 Les Dames d'Escoffier International (LDEI) Atlanta Chapter’s prominent annual fundraiser Afternoon in the Country (AITC). Rainy, muddy event conditions showcased lessons learned necessary to build a solid, effective zero food waste template for annual events. The ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2015/12/zero-food-waste-journeys-successes.html" target="_blank">Zero Waste Journeys: Successes, Challenges & Lessons Learned</a></i>, supports the case study with event details.<br />
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Tonya Randell with <a href="http://www.moorerecycling.com/" target="_blank">Moore Recycling Associates</a> attended the annual meeting to announce the <i><a href="http://www.plasticfilmrecycling.org/pdf/MallCaseStudy_2016.pdf" target="_blank">Comparative Case Study: Plastic Film Recycling at Two Simon Malls</a> </i>release. Prepared by Ei on behalf of W.R.A.P. - <a href="http://www.plasticfilmrecycling.org/wrap/wrap-1.html" target="_blank">Wrap Recycling Action Program</a>, the case study chronicles the Charlotte plastic film recycling programs pioneered within the <a href="http://elementalimpact.org/SFCI_Concord_Mills_Pilot" target="_blank">Sustainable Food Court Initiative (SFCI) - Shopping Mall Pilot</a>. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jQAgABp-t40/WDXJac03J8I/AAAAAAAALNU/rkrGHC_f16oFf6aqZt2VYbWBGdfCyu9YQCLcB/s1600/07-30-14%2BConcord%2BMills%2B-%2BOrwak%2Bbaler%2B%2526%2BRay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jQAgABp-t40/WDXJac03J8I/AAAAAAAALNU/rkrGHC_f16oFf6aqZt2VYbWBGdfCyu9YQCLcB/s200/07-30-14%2BConcord%2BMills%2B-%2BOrwak%2Bbaler%2B%2526%2BRay.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CM GM Ray Soporowski w/<br />
his Orwak baler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Concord Mills (CM) launched their plastic film recycling program in August 2012 and SouthPark Mall a month later. Louis Herrera with Ei Partner <a href="http://novolex.com/" target="_blank">Novolex</a> (then Hilex Poly) was instrumental to crafting the mall plastic film recycling template. Ei Partner <a href="http://orwak.com/" target="_blank">Orwak</a> worked closely with CM General Manager Ray Soporowski on the on-site plastic film baling process.<br />
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For the case study ROI (return on investment) analysis, 2015 calendar year program stats were used. Tonya brought several hard copies of the case study published three days earlier.<br />
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Ei's pioneering role in commercial plastic film recycling is chronicled on the the <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/Plastic_Film_Recycling" target="_blank">Plastic Film Recycling</a> website page. The Ei FB album, <i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.748667091827712.1073741847.120919654602462&type=3" target="_blank">Source-Separated Materials Recycling: building a city-wide network</a></i>, is a pictorial recap of the work-in-progress. Note the Plastic Film Recycling Template expanded to the <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/Source-Separated_Materials_Recyling" target="_blank">Source-Separated Material Recycling Template</a>.<br />
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In addition to the case study, Tonya presented on the WRAP successes and programs under development. Initiated by members of the American Chemistry Council's <a href="https://plastics.americanchemistry.com/Flexible-Film-Recycling-Group.aspx" target="_blank">Flexible Film Recycling Group</a> in partnership with <a href="http://www.sustainablepackaging.org/" target="_blank">GreenBlue's Sustainable Packaging Coalition</a> and <a href="http://www.plasticsrecycling.org/" target="_blank">The Association of Plastic Recyclers</a>, W.R.A.P.'s purpose is to reinvigorate plastic film recycling. The goal is to double recycling to 2 billion tons by 2020.</div>
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Within her <i>Year in Review</i> presentation, Holly welcomed two new Ei Strategic Allies: <a href="http://www.recycleacrossamerica.org/" target="_blank">Recycle Across America</a> and <a href="https://www.secondhelpingsatlanta.org/" target="_blank">Second Helpings - Atlanta</a> (SHA). The IMPACT Blog article, <i><a href="http://elementalimpact.blogspot.com/2016/09/ei-welcomes-new-strategic-allies.html" target="_blank">Ei Welcomes New Strategic Allies</a></i>, includes an introduction to the organizations.</div>
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After lunch SHA Executive Director Joe Labriola gave a passionate presentation on SHA's impressive impact; SHA connects Atlanta's excess food with the city's hungry population. Joe began his presentation with the long-standing Ei | SHA partnership, dating back to 2009. As he closed the session, Joe included a slide on SHA's impact:</div>
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<ul>
<li><b>125</b> pick-ups | deliveries per week.</li>
<li><b>146,000</b> pounds of food rescued in October 2016, twice the amount rescued in October 2015.</li>
<li><b>1,109,000</b> pounds of food rescued in 2016, a 62% increase over 2015</li>
<li><b>5.700,000</b> pounds of food rescued since SHA was established in 2004.</li>
</ul>
</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YJiFSODtqx4/WDXfPAd0lDI/AAAAAAAALNw/sXlBa6Y5ncgSNSwTw-N0i6DfVFtJYiIogCLcB/s1600/11-17-16_EiPtrMtg_JoeSpeaking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YJiFSODtqx4/WDXfPAd0lDI/AAAAAAAALNw/sXlBa6Y5ncgSNSwTw-N0i6DfVFtJYiIogCLcB/s200/11-17-16_EiPtrMtg_JoeSpeaking.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joe Labriola speaking at meeting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In Joe's words:</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>It took us 15 months to rescue <b>100,000 pounds of food</b>. We’re doing </i><i>that now <b>every 25 days</b></i>.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The new Ei website launch was prominent within Holly's <i>Year in Review</i>. With an entirely new format, the website home page is re-designed to include Holly's photos as the navigation base. Many new pages | sections are added to document Ei initiatives</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and work-in-progress. A prominent new section is </span><a href="http://elementalimpact.org/accomplished" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Mission Accomplished</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, a collage of Ei endeavors considered complete via a sale, term expiration or simply mission accomplished:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://elementalimpact.org/world-chefs-waste-recycling-curriculum" target="_blank">World Chefs Waste | Recycling Course Curriculum</a> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/epa-scaling-up-composting" target="_blank">EPA Scaling Up Composting in Charlotte, NC Grant</a> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/FB_Pkging_Meeting" target="_blank">Food & Beverage Packaging Value Chain Meetings</a> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/GREASE" target="_blank">GREASE</a> – Grease Recycling & Energy Alternatives for the Environment</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/power-accomplished" target="_blank">POWER </a>– Perishable Organics Waste to Energy Recycling </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/Zero-Waste-Zones" target="_blank">ZWZ </a>- Zero Waste Zones </span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In April 2016 the IMPACT Blog article, <i><a href="http://elementalimpact.blogspot.com/2016/04/with-elemental-impact-strong-into-our.html" target="_blank">Ei: New Website, New Era!</a></i>, announced the new website launch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Within the <i>Ei: Respected Media</i> presentation section, Holly began with the escalating status of the Ei Blogs. Below are the quick overview blog stats:</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jc6MUvLXhso/WDXfsyzLcEI/AAAAAAAALN0/5FYJi_ahgawsRS2-NeslTQIjT-bTNqaUQCLcB/s1600/impact.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="73" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jc6MUvLXhso/WDXfsyzLcEI/AAAAAAAALN0/5FYJi_ahgawsRS2-NeslTQIjT-bTNqaUQCLcB/s200/impact.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://elementalimpact.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The IMPACT Blog</a>:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">95,000 pageviews</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">120 published articles</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Average 792 pageviews per article</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Most popular article: <i><a href="http://elementalimpact.blogspot.com/2012/12/ei-new-mission-statement-new-directions.html" target="_blank">Ei New Mission Statement</a></i> (12/12) 2,845 views</span></li>
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<a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">The Zero Waste in ACTION Blog</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kG3bT5C5LJw/WDYHmVn-h8I/AAAAAAAALPQ/ZUTXWwVJgNsPSmuuz54xRo9DvYZ7TZK3wCLcB/s1600/zwaction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="90" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kG3bT5C5LJw/WDYHmVn-h8I/AAAAAAAALPQ/ZUTXWwVJgNsPSmuuz54xRo9DvYZ7TZK3wCLcB/s200/zwaction.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">288,000 pageviews</span></li>
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<li>334 published articles</li>
<li>Average 860 pageviews per article</li>
<li>Most popular article: <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2012/02/reduce-first-donate-second-and-compost.html" target="_blank">Reduce First, Donate Second, Compost Third</a></i> (02/11) 13,700 views; 1.020 views in last month</li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2016/03/ei-blogs-respected-media-valuable.html" target="_blank">Ei Blogs: respected media & valuable industry resources</a></i>, celebrates strong readership, acknowledges teamwork necessary to build the solid foundation, and details interesting reader analytics.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">National trade associations are vehicles to educate the corporate community on the zero waste business value. In October two prominent industry trade associations - the <a href="https://www.instituteforsupplymanagement.org/index.cfm?SSO=1" target="_blank">Institute for Supply Management</a> (ISM) and the <a href="https://www.palletcentral.com/" target="_blank">National Wooden Pallet & Container Association</a> (NWPCA) - published front-cover zero waste articles in their October hard copy magazines.</span></div>
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For the ISM cover article, <i><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/pdf/Oct-2016-SMI-Feature-FullCircle-Article.pdf" target="_blank">Full Circle, Supply management can play a key role in the circular economy, working with suppliers to eliminate waste and drive financial value</a></i>, Holly served as an industry resource for the author. As a "thank you" the article ended with a prominent quote by Holly.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GGxGdtS5q6c/WDXgU_czbHI/AAAAAAAALOA/IMZle0BnJ3U01OYztRcJz8jBIKHvhhtjgCLcB/s1600/Pallet-Central-Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GGxGdtS5q6c/WDXgU_czbHI/AAAAAAAALOA/IMZle0BnJ3U01OYztRcJz8jBIKHvhhtjgCLcB/s200/Pallet-Central-Cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
The NWPCA <i>Pallet Central</i> September | October issue cover article, <i><a href="https://hollyelmorecom.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/09-16-nwpca-zero-waste-printed-article.pdf" target="_blank">Zero Waste Makes Good Business & Environmental Sense</a></i>, was written by Holly on behalf of the <a href="https://uszwbc.org/" target="_blank">U.S. Zero Waste Business Council</a> (USZWBC). With three industry magazine-published articles, a new website page <a href="http://elementalimpact.org/ei-published-articles" target="_blank">Ei-Published Articles</a> was created.<br />
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For details on the national trade association articles, visit the ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2016/10/zero-waste-moves-from-best-to-standard.html" target="_blank">Zero waste moves from "best" to standard operating practices</a></i>.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Holly's </span><a href="https://hollyelmore.com/fingertip-press/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Fingertip Press</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> moved from respected media to recognized journalist with the following invitation:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In early November the U.S. State Department invited Ei to join the invitation-only COP22 preview press conference call. Journalists from the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times were among the respected, mainstream media on the call.</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since 2012 the USZWBC | Ei relationship evolved into a strong partnership, grounded in media, communication and education. The following is a brief synopsis of the evolution:</span></div>
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<li><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">2012</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> – Holly presented @ inaugural conference. </span></li>
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<li><b>2013</b> – First Ei-hosted conference panel: <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2013/05/zero-waste-is-team-sport-powerful.html" target="_blank">Zero Waste is a Team Sport</a></i>.</li>
<li><b>2014</b> – Ei named conference media partner…. and more!</li>
<li><b>2015</b> – Ei named USZWBC media partner.</li>
<li><b>2016</b> – Ei wrote magazine cover article on behalf of USZWBC.</li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PAFh9S8d-E8/WDXgj6gcSvI/AAAAAAAALOE/A4Yycn-Ls64Fv5PHQU7s1G5hZyt3cW9VACLcB/s1600/11-17-16_EiPtrMtg_StephanieSpeaking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PAFh9S8d-E8/WDXgj6gcSvI/AAAAAAAALOE/A4Yycn-Ls64Fv5PHQU7s1G5hZyt3cW9VACLcB/s200/11-17-16_EiPtrMtg_StephanieSpeaking.jpg" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephanie Barger speaking at meeting</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the afternoon, USZWBC Founder & Former Executive Director Stephanie Barger gave an empowering update. Beginning with a focus on the USZWBC substantial certification and education program development, Stephanie followed with a focus on the strong Ei | USZWBC partnership. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In her closing remarks, Stephanie discussed the USZWBC and the <a href="http://www.usgbc.org/" target="_blank">U.S. Green Building Council</a> (USGBC) joining forces along with its industry implications. Effective November 1, Stephanie is the USGBC National Zero Waste Director.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2016/10/usgbc-empowers-zero-waste-industry.html" target="_blank">USGBC Empowers Zero Waste Industry: USGBC & USZWBC join forces</a></i>, announces the monumental event.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Holly ended the <i>Yr in Review</i> presentation with an <i>Ei: Global Reach</i> section. In 2014 Holly was inducted into <a href="https://www.lai.org/" target="_blank">Lambda Alpha International</a> (LAI), a global land economics honorary, and this year was appointed to the International Public Relations & Communications Committee. At the Fall 2016 Toronto Land Economics Weekend (LEW), Holly represented the Atlanta Chapter at the semi-annual LAI Executive Committee meetings.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iBoB_mMXCjU/WDXgx8j83TI/AAAAAAAALOI/5su7u7e7tRsvv12_QhjgvHClmnQiVuFAQCLcB/s1600/11-17-16_EiPtrMtg_ScottSpeaking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iBoB_mMXCjU/WDXgx8j83TI/AAAAAAAALOI/5su7u7e7tRsvv12_QhjgvHClmnQiVuFAQCLcB/s200/11-17-16_EiPtrMtg_ScottSpeaking.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott Seydel during his EMF update</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The IMPACT Blog article, </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://elementalimpact.blogspot.com/2016/10/toronto-crafting-livable-city-amidst.html" target="_blank">Toronto: crafting a livable city amidst staggering population shifts and growth</a></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, is a Toronto LEW overview with commentary on the powerful presentations and tours throughout the weekend. A LAI emphasis on livable cities flows with Ei focus areas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Earlier in the fall, <a href="https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/" target="_blank">Ellen MacArthur Foundation</a> (EMF) CEO Andrew Morlet requested Ei support for the Biocycle Economy concept paper under development. The nutrient cycle within cities is integral to the Biocycle Economy. In addition, the paper addresses release of toxins into the environment, augmenting the Ei synergies.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the afternoon, Scott gave an impromptu EMF update on their profound work within the Circular Economy and beyond. Scott serves on the EMF USA Board.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6CnRr_mXLTc/WDXhGNHbX6I/AAAAAAAALOQ/7zV2mmuugV8g8Xmq7V60PJcX09B1wXdGACLcB/s1600/11-17-16_EiPtrMtg_BoydSpeaking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6CnRr_mXLTc/WDXhGNHbX6I/AAAAAAAALOQ/7zV2mmuugV8g8Xmq7V60PJcX09B1wXdGACLcB/s200/11-17-16_EiPtrMtg_BoydSpeaking.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boyd Leake speaking at meeting</td></tr>
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<a href="http://p2catl.com/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">City of Atlanta, Mayor's Office of Sustainability</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Senior Policy Adviser Boyd Leake opened the formal presentations for the meeting. In his overview, Boyd educated on the City's four initiative areas: 1> </span><a href="http://p2catl.com/green-initiatives/electric-vehicles/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">electric vehicles</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, 2> </span><a href="http://p2catl.com/green-initiatives/recycling/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">recycling</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, 3> </span><a href="http://p2catl.com/urban-agriculture/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">urban agriculture</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and 4> </span><a href="http://p2catl.com/green-initiatives/landfill-gas-assessments/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">municipal</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Additionally, Boyd updated on the City's recent Rockefeller Foundation Grant and Stephanie Benfied's appointment to Chief Resilience Officer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Following Boyd, <a href="https://www.gwcca.org/gwcc/" target="_blank">Georgia World Congress Center</a> (GWCC) Director of Sustainability Tim Trefzer updated on the pending Georgia Dome decommissioning, Solar Arrays, the Energy-Saving Performance Contract and the potential new GWCC campus hotel. Tim's opening slide was a reminder of the GWCC | Ei longstanding partnership, beginning with the 2009 ZWZ Launch press conference. Due to the Georgia Dome's slated March 2017 decommissioning, the <a href="http://elementalimpact.org/SFCI_Georgia_Dome_Pilot" target="_blank">SFCI - Event Venue Pilot</a> will shift to the GWCC.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tim reported the following impressive savings from October 2015 to September 2016 under the Energy-Saving Performance Contract:</span><br />
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<li> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>$983,849</b> of energy costs saved.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <b>$173,167</b> Georgia Power rebates.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <b>5,583,710 kWh</b> of electricity saved.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <b>16,312,384 gallons</b> of water saved.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <b>536,666 pounds (268 tons)</b> of construction waste recycled.</span></li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OuJGq0aRHAs/WDXhbXylTyI/AAAAAAAALOU/heQqomSK1WYzEhGOxXHZyLIlZg7YiTedwCLcB/s1600/11-17-16_EiPtrMtg_DavidSpeaking_SOS-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OuJGq0aRHAs/WDXhbXylTyI/AAAAAAAALOU/heQqomSK1WYzEhGOxXHZyLIlZg7YiTedwCLcB/s200/11-17-16_EiPtrMtg_DavidSpeaking_SOS-Edit.jpg" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David Paull during his presentation<br />
photo courtesy of Scott Seydel</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The morning session ended with a impressive presentation by <a href="http://www.compostwheels.com/" target="_blank">Compost Wheels</a> (CW) Founder & Chief Composting Officer David Paull. It was empowering to understand David's passion for rebuilding our soils, educating the youth, and creating a solid community-based food waste collection for compost system. Via a recent partnership with King of Crops farm, CW expanded their residential food waste collection business model to include the commercial sector.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Prior to lunch, Holly gifted attendees with sweet 'n savory bags filled with delectable homemade treats. An added bonus is a photo print from Holly's nature photography portfolio.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of the Annual Ei Partner Meeting highlights is the excellent lunch filled with plenty of vegetarian options. As in the past, Chef Donald Stone "wowed" the partners with the amazing feast!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After lunch Donald switched chef jackets to his role as <a href="http://dining.gsu.edu/" target="_blank">Georgia State University (GSU) PantherDining</a> Executive Chef for a presentation on their exceptional sustainability commitment. Beginning with the downtown campus stats, Donald established GSU as a major contributor to Atlanta's economic vitality: </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ax0lCYTNY2I/WDXhx_nXimI/AAAAAAAALOY/baYsX0tXHmkR6OnCPSa8r4UOVqX6lS6FACLcB/s1600/11-17-16_EiPtrMtg_DonaldSpeaking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ax0lCYTNY2I/WDXhx_nXimI/AAAAAAAALOY/baYsX0tXHmkR6OnCPSa8r4UOVqX6lS6FACLcB/s200/11-17-16_EiPtrMtg_DonaldSpeaking.jpg" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chef Donald Stone speaking</td></tr>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">34,000 undergraduate and graduate students</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2,000 staff and faculty</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8 schools and colleges offering</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">61 buildings, spanning 71.79 acres</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3 dining halls, serving over 10,000 meals a day</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">PantherDining incorporates food waste prevention best practices within their daily operations: trayless dining with reusable serviceware, food served to students (vs. self-serve), condiment pump stations, individual napkin dispensers, and small batch production. To monitor and improve their food waste, PantherDining uses the <a href="http://www.leanpath.com/" target="_blank">LeanPath</a> food waste smart meter system.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Biannually PantherDining hosts Plate Waste Parties to raise student awareness of post-consumer waste. Excess food meeting the Good Samaritan Food Donation Act is collected by student-driven Panther Food Recovery Network for donation to local agencies. Kitchen scraps and post-consumer food waste are collected for commercial compost.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Healthy dining is a top PantherDining priority with a dietitian on staff at each dining hall. In addition to Meatless Mondays, 20% of food offerings are vegan and 68% are vegetarian. When practical, PantherDining purchases from local businesses.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wasabi arugula </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">IMPRESSIVE: the PantherDining <a href="http://www.freightfarms.com/" target="_blank">Freight Farm</a> is an enclosed vertical farm system free of pesticides| herbicides with a 365-day growing system. The equivalent of an one-acre farm, the 256 growing towers produced 450 heads of lettuce in the first eight-week harvest. In October, Donald hosted Boyd & Holly on a PantherDining tour; the Freight Farm was the tour star! At the meeting Donald shared samples of the Freight Farms greens - the wasabi arugula is beyond awesome!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was empowering to learn the history of <a href="https://www.tedsmontanagrill.com/" target="_blank">Ted's Montana Grill's</a> (TMG) role pioneering sustainable best practices in the restaurant industry. The journey began with the <a href="http://www.csrwire.com/press_releases/13855-New-Green-Restaurant-Revolution-Podcast-Highlights-Ways-Industry-Can-Do-More-to-Protect-the-Planet" target="_blank">Green Restaurant Revolution</a> 2008 launch by Co-Founders Ted Turner and George McKerrow. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">TMG Sustainability & Purchasing Manager Paula Owens gave an excellent overview of TMG sustainability practices ranging from source reduction to small batch production to energy and water conservation.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paula Owens during her presentation</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paula works closely with their supply chain to minimize transport package, ensure integrity within production processes, and purchase locally where feasible. In addition to their internal water conservation, TMG supports the </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.b-e-f.org/" target="_blank">Bonneville Environmental Foundation</a> to offset a portion of their annual water usage. By funding water restoration certificates to restore their unavoidable water footprint, TMG helped restore over 12 million gallons of water in the Colorado River Basin over the past five years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In her closing remarks, Paula mentioned TMG is evaluating an <a href="http://elementalimpact.org/Airborne_Kitchen_Grease" target="_blank">Ei Airborne Kitchen Grease (AKG) Initiative</a> pilot in two of their metro Atlanta restaurants.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since Ei Sustainer Jordan Salpietra of <a href="http://www.greaselock.com/" target="_blank">Grease Lock Filters</a> (GLF) was unable to attend the meeting, Holly stepped into her "Jordan persona" for the Ei AKG Initiative update. A powerful year, GLF is in the midst of national installations of their proactive AKG system at Walmart | Sam's Club, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Wendy's, McDonald's and more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Though they are high profile and important for the initiative, national chains are only 10% of the U.S. restaurant industry; regional chains are 20% and single-operators comprise 70% of the restaurant industry. To service the single-operators and small chains, GLF developed an e-commerce site for filter on-line ordering and shipping. In first quarter 2017, the site is slated for roll-out within the <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/akg-stage-1" target="_blank">Ei AKG City-Wide Template</a>, which was announced at the 2015 Ei Annual Partner Meeting. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nPPusLuAtrg/WDXi6NzsmeI/AAAAAAAALOk/Zo6eGKuCWRYF1DI1uTiWQ0Fn3hX6Gu4DACLcB/s1600/11-17-16_EiPtrMtg_JimSpeaking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nPPusLuAtrg/WDXi6NzsmeI/AAAAAAAALOk/Zo6eGKuCWRYF1DI1uTiWQ0Fn3hX6Gu4DACLcB/s200/11-17-16_EiPtrMtg_JimSpeaking.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim Harrell speaking at meeting</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another Water Use | Toxicity program, the <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/cooling-tower-blowdown-initiative" target="_blank">Ei Cooling Tower Blowdown Initiative</a>, gained significant momentum in the second half of the year. <a href="http://www.savegeorgiawater.com/" target="_blank">Renaissance Technology</a> President Jim Harrell presented on the initiative premise | history along with two prominent case studies at Polk State College and the Tampa Data Center.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the fall, the Ei Team met with the <a href="http://mercedesbenzstadium.com/" target="_blank">Mercedes Benz Stadium</a> engineering department and TRANE on behalf of the GWCC. TRANE corporate is vetting the underlying WCTI technology for future guaranteed energy performance contracts. On November 14 <a href="http://www.atl.com/" target="_blank">Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport</a>, the <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/SFCI_ATL_Airport_Pilot" target="_blank">SFCI - Airport Pilot</a> and the <i>busiest airport in the world!</i>, issued a cooling tower RFP. The Ei Cooling Tower Blowdown Initiative was one of several organizations included in the RFP.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Holly donned a Michigan State hat as she stepped into her Ei Partner Rick Lombardo of <a href="http://www.natur-tec.com/" target="_blank">NaturTec</a> persona. Rick co-presented </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the 2016 NZWBC </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Macro Cost of Micro Contamination </i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">panel </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">with Lia Colabella of </span><a href="http://www.5gyres.org/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Five Gyres Institute</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and was disappointed to miss the annual meeting.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rick Lombardo & Lia Colabella<br />
@ NZWBC</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NZWBC </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Macro Cost of Micro Contamination</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> panel was a huge success! A prominent attendee confided in Holly "t</span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">his was the BEST conference panel - I learned so much and I appreciate gaining visibility to such important issues!</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Micro level contamination yields tremendous hidden costs to communities, the environment and food chain systems. Though often not seen by the human eye, fragmented microplastic pieces are poison to our soils | water microbial communities as well as to fish, mammals, birds and most all life forms. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rick's presentation focused on the micro contamination in compost when petroleum-based plastics, versus certified-compostable plastics, are used for foodservice packaging and food waste bags. The fragmentation process results in tiny plastic pieces that may slip through the screening process into finished compost. Within the presentation, Rick explains the difference between bio-degradation and decomposition: TIME! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For decomposition, complete assimilation within 180 days must occur in an industrial compost environment. There is no time constraint for complete assimilation within the bio-degradation definition. "Green washed" petroleum-based products with misleading to false claims are abundant. Thus, it is important for foodserivce operators to ensure products are <a href="http://www.bpiworld.org/" target="_blank">BPI-certified compostable</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-macro-cost-of-micro-contamination.html" target="_blank">The </a></i></span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-macro-cost-of-micro-contamination.html" target="_blank">Macro Cost of Micro Contamination</a>, </i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">is an in-depth recap of the powerful NZWBC panel.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greg Chafee speaking at meeting</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ei General Counsel Greg Chafee with <a href="http://www.thompsonhine.com/" target="_blank">Thompson Hine</a> closed the formal presentations with interesting anecdotes from his renewable energy clients. What a great slide of Greg's work escapades:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>A Life of Adventure….!</b></i></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Moose Hunting at Minus 20 Degrees Fahrenheit</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Passing the Peace Pipe in a Teepee</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Driving a Rail Locomotive Across a Collapsing Bridge</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rappelling Down a Wind Turbine</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In addition, Greg wove a closing synopsis of the empowering presentations throughout the day. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Scott and Holly gave meeting closing comments.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The wine reception following the formal meeting was an excellent time for Partners to chat in a relaxed atmosphere and continue discussions started during the meeting. Partners were treated to Holly's homemade gravlax with mustard dill sauce and her goat cheese cheesecake with grape compote. Chef Donald completed the reception with his excellent cheese & light hors d'oeuvres platters.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Group dinner @ Portofino<br />photo courtesy of Scott Seydel</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Following tradition, the meeting festivities ended with a lovely dinner at Portofino. Superb food and wine brought forth the magic intertwined within the powerful presentations and dialogue throughout the day.</span></div>
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A big THANK YOU to University of Georgia seniors Samantha Eberhard & Mason Towe for helping out with the meeting administration. </div>
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The Ei FB album, <i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/Elementalimpact/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1495937053767375" target="_blank">2016 Ei Annual Meeting</a></i>, is a pictorial recap of the monumental day. PPT presentations are soon available for download on the <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/Annual_Ei_Partner_Meeting" target="_blank">Annual Ei Partner Meetings</a> page.</div>
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With the Year of Recognition coming to a close, the <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/ei-team" target="_blank">Ei Team</a> is excited to move into expanded dimensions of impact! Stay tuned ...</div>
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Holly Elmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320051691727973987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343862423890160222.post-16027347917660124972015-11-26T23:39:00.000-05:002018-11-15T13:49:11.527-05:00Ei 2015: A Year of ACTION<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8NHpdEDjig8/VlfLlH2yBKI/AAAAAAAAC-w/vtyv7GZHM_0/s1600/11-19-15%2BEi%2BPtr%2BMtg%2B-%2BScott%2BJenkins%2Bspeaking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="113" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8NHpdEDjig8/VlfLlH2yBKI/AAAAAAAAC-w/vtyv7GZHM_0/s200/11-19-15%2BEi%2BPtr%2BMtg%2B-%2BScott%2BJenkins%2Bspeaking.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott Jenkins presenting to<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On Thursday, November 19 <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/">Elemental Impact</a> <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/sponsors">Partners</a>, <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/sponsors">Friends</a>, <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/strategic-partners">Strategic Allies</a> and <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/AdvisoryCouncil">Advisory Council Members</a> traveled from across the nation to attend the <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/Annual_Ei_Partner_Meeting">Annual Ei Partner Meeting</a>. It was a powerful day filled with education, updates, camaraderie along with great food and wine. Thank you <a href="http://www.hlbgrosscollins.com/">HLB Gross Collins</a> for providing the perfect venue for the meeting and reception.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Meeting moderator Suzanne Burnes with Collective Wisdom Group opened the meeting with a logistics overview. From travels in India, Ei Chair Scott Seydel welcomed the Ei Family via <a href="https://vimeo.com/146974142">video</a> including a reminder the meeting follows the <a href="http://www.continuityforum.org/content/news/2005/14/chatham-house-rule-explained">Chatham House Rule</a>. After introductions, Ei founder Holly Elmore gave the Annual Ei Year in Review presentation. In her opening slide, Holly summarized the past and current years as follows:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2012: Year of Accomplishments | Completions</b> - in late 2012 the <a href="http://elementalimpact.org/Zero-Waste-Zones">Zero Waste Zones</a> (ZWZ) were sold to the <a href="http://www.restaurant.org/Home">National Restaurant Association</a> catapulting Ei into a major metamorphosis.The ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2012/10/ei-established-program-creator.html">The NRA Acquires ZWZ</a></i>, announces the monumental acquisition.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2013: Year of Transitions | Introductions</b> - until fall 2013 Ei flowed within the metamorphosis stage. As the year drew to a close, the three-platforms approach for Ei initiatives emerged. The IMPACT Blog, <i><a href="http://elementalimpact.blogspot.com/2013/08/ei-emerges-strong-from-metamorphosis.html">Ei Emerges Strong from Metamorphosis</a></i>, introduced the three platforms: <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/Product_Stewardship">Product Stewardship</a>, <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/RecyclingRefinement">Recycling Refinement</a> and <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/Water_Use_Toxicity">Water Use | Toxicity</a>.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2014: Year of Foundations | Evolutions</b> - in 2014 the platforms were grounded with initiative launches and supporting taglines. </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2015: Year of ACTION </b>- in 2015 Ei lived up to its tagline: <i>Sustainability in ACTION!</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Within her presentation, Holly gave an overview of each platform, action within the platform and future plans. The IMPACT Blog article, <i><a href="http://elementalimpact.blogspot.com/2014/11/ei-2014-year-of-evolution.html">Ei 2014: A Year of Evolution</a></i>, gives an in-depth history of each platform foundation and serves as the 2014 Annual Ei Partner Meeting overview.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In addition, Holly's presentation gave a road map of the action-packed meeting agenda. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5KFnOdPPIeg/VlfLc8SJavI/AAAAAAAAC-Q/x1VVLVMp6PU/s1600/11-19-15%2BEi%2BPtr%2BMtg%2B-%2BArthur%2BWeissman%2Bspeaking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="186" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5KFnOdPPIeg/VlfLc8SJavI/AAAAAAAAC-Q/x1VVLVMp6PU/s200/11-19-15%2BEi%2BPtr%2BMtg%2B-%2BArthur%2BWeissman%2Bspeaking.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arthur during his presentation</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First on the program was <a href="http://www.greenseal.org/">Green Seal</a> (GS) CEO & President Arthur Weissman who gave a GS overview, with a focus on the hospitality programs launched in Chicago & Los Angeles. In Chicago, the GS program is restaurant-oriented while the Los Angeles program is hotel-oriented. The final slide was Holly's favorite: <i>Green Hospitality in Atlanta</i>! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The audience was enthusiastic with many questions about the GS Hospitality Standards and how the GS program could augment Atlanta's strong zero waste history. There are several GS Certified Hotels in Atlanta to serve as leaders. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In addition, <a href="https://www.tedsmontanagrill.com/">Ted's Montana Grill</a>, the <a href="http://www.gwcc.com/">Georgia World Congress Center</a> (GWCC), <a href="http://www.atlanta-airport.com/">Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport</a> (ATL) <a href="http://www.gatech.edu/">Georgia Tech</a> (GT) and <a href="http://affairs.com/">Affairs to Remember Caterers</a> - all ZWZ Pioneers - associates at the meeting were enthusiastic to once again enter the sustainability frontier, as they did with the 2009 ZWZ Launch. <a href="http://www.atlantaga.gov/index.aspx?page=18">City of Atlanta Mayor's Office of Sustainability</a> Zero Waste Manager Boyd Leake was impressed and eager to explore the City's role in a potential Atlanta GS Hospitality Program.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Throughout the day, Arthur was an active meeting participant sharing his vast wisdom and expertise to vibrant dialogue on many subjects. As an Ei Strategic Ally, GS brings in-depth expertise from their 26 years certifying green products | services to the recent Ei Water Use | Toxicity Initiative announcements.</span></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1YZJ4iX_IHo/VlfObR1N5_I/AAAAAAAAC_Q/5wumPaIqF58/s1600/12-18-13%2Bnew%2BGA%2BTech%2Bcooling%2Btower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1YZJ4iX_IHo/VlfObR1N5_I/AAAAAAAAC_Q/5wumPaIqF58/s200/12-18-13%2Bnew%2BGA%2BTech%2Bcooling%2Btower.jpg" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooling tower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Next on the agenda Ei Supporter Jim Harrell, </span><a href="http://www.savegeorgiawater.com/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Renaissance Technology</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> president, announced the Ei Cooling Tower Blowdown Initiative, grounded in Water Conservation Technology International (WCTI) systems. In his presentation, Jim explained the cooling tower blowdown process and its tremendous water usage along with toxic chemical agents.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cooling towers water must be treated to prevent corrosion, scale and bio-fouling. Standard industry practices use toxic chemicals to treat the cooling tower water. Due to evaporation, the chemical balance becomes too concentrated and the remaining water is released into the sewer system via the blowdown process. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The Water Conservation Technology International system uses "nature's way" by removing all of the hardness in source water. Eliminating hardness prevents scale. As the water cycles up, sodium silicate naturally forms and the high pH creates a biostatic condition in the tower water. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">RESULTS: no scale build-up along with effective control of corrosion and biological growth.Thus, the use of chemical additives and "blowdown" are eliminated, tremendous water is saved and water laden with toxic chemical additives is no longer released into the sewer system.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Introduced in 2004, WCTI has a proven track record with prominent clients including Apple, Verizon, Microsoft, Boeing and Universal Studios.The ROI (return on investment) generally runs between six months to two years.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Via an Ei introduction, ATL is in the WCTI assessment process for the 2017 FY Budget, beginning July 1, 2016. If installed, ATL is staged to save an estimated 7 - 10 million gallons of water annually. The intent is for ATL to serve as a Lead Pioneer in the Ei Cooling Tower Blowdown Initiative along with formal City of Atlanta Office of Sustainability support.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4gHzZw1OU0I/VlfPBlrLVfI/AAAAAAAAC_Y/52PZqMDzFnQ/s1600/02-20-13%2Bgrease%2Bin%2Bduct.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4gHzZw1OU0I/VlfPBlrLVfI/AAAAAAAAC_Y/52PZqMDzFnQ/s200/02-20-13%2Bgrease%2Bin%2Bduct.JPG" width="194" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AKG accumulation in kitchen<br />
exhaust system ducts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keeping within the Water | Use Toxicity Platform, Ei Sustainer Jordan Salpietra with </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.greaselock.com/">Grease Lock Filters</a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> (GLF), announced the </span><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/Airborne_Kitchen_Grease" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ei Airborne Kitchen Grease (AKG) Initiative</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> with a formal action plan. At prior Annual Ei Partner Meetings, the GLF system was introduced along with the campus-wide ATL installation approval. Ei Partner </span><a href="http://www.hmshost.com/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">HMSHost</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> approved a national GLF contract for their prominent airport and turnpike service center network.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With foodservice operator cost-savings well established, Jordan's presentation focused on how the current reactive kitchen exhaust system cleaning practices cause the accumulated grease to flow into the sewer system. A typical cleaning uses 350 - 500 gallons of water along with toxic cleaning agents to remove the grease. The greasy, toxic water is flushed down a kitchen drain, exceeding the grease interceptor | grease trap velocity flow by 12 times. Thus, the water flows directly into the sewer system where it congeals causing expensive maintenance.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In his presentation closing, Jordan outlines the Ei AKG Initiative action plan's four stages:</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/akg-stage-1"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stage 1: Building the Foundation</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/akg-stage-2"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stage 2: Developing the City-Wide AKG Template</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/akg-stage-3"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stage 3: National Expansion</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/akg-stage-4"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stage 4: Environmental Impact Research</span></a></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stage 1 is complete; the current focus is on building a city-wide AKG template. With Atlanta slated to serve as the Ei AKG Initiative Pilot City, the City of Atlanta Office of Sustainability issued the following Statement of Support:</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>The City of Atlanta, Mayor’s Office of Sustainability is pleased to support the Elemental Impact Airborne Kitchen Grease Initiative. Grease that is flushed into Atlanta’s sewer system creates significant harm to the City’s sewer pipes, wastewater system and treatment facilities, potentially leading to millions of dollars in equipment damage. In addition, airborne kitchen grease contributes significantly to the number of calls that the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department responds to each year</i>.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Zero Waste in ACTION (ZWA) Blog article, </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2015/10/ei-airborne-kitchen-grease-initiative.html">Ei Airborne Kitchen Grease Initiative</a></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, announces the initiative along with an overview of the four-stage plan.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Closing the morning session, ATL Facilities Director John Means presented on the sustainability initiatives at the <i>busiest airport in the world</i>. To give the Ei Partners a perspective on the magnitude of ATL's impact, John shared the following facts:</span></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QR6Gh8vKIGw/VlfLk69b4xI/AAAAAAAAC-k/yyiM3I8qQY0/s1600/11-19-15%2BEi%2BPtr%2BMtg%2B-%2BJohn%2BMeans%2Bspeaking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QR6Gh8vKIGw/VlfLk69b4xI/AAAAAAAAC-k/yyiM3I8qQY0/s200/11-19-15%2BEi%2BPtr%2BMtg%2B-%2BJohn%2BMeans%2Bspeaking.jpg" width="186" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John during his presentation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Buildings - 8,500,000 sq. ft. valued at over $4.6 billion</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Land - Over 4,700 acres</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2,500 flights per day</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">9 miles of runways</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">37 miles of sewer pipes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">30,000 parking spaces</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">96 Million passengers/year</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">63,000 employees</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">650,000 tons of cargo</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">$32.5 Million impact on City of Atlanta</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In 2014, ATL replaced all runway lights with LED Light resulting in $15,750 per month savings or 45.6% (177,670 kwh/mth vs. 389,400 kwh/mth) and less maintenance. Within a couple months of the LED implementation, Georgia Power visited ATL to research the dramatic electricity usage drop.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">John included the Ei AKG Initiative within the ATL Sustainability Successes. Once the GLF installations are complete, ATL will save an estimated 1.1 million gallons of water and prevent 45,000 pounds of grease from flowing into their sewer system. In addition, the Ei AKG Initiative prevents expensive roof damage and significantly increases fire safety.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-19gkW_IcRTA/VlfLcjKI-wI/AAAAAAAAC-E/BWP-Q1b98iM/s1600/11-19-15%2BEi%2BPtr%2BMtg%2B-%2BChef%2BDonald.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-19gkW_IcRTA/VlfLcjKI-wI/AAAAAAAAC-E/BWP-Q1b98iM/s200/11-19-15%2BEi%2BPtr%2BMtg%2B-%2BChef%2BDonald.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chef Donald </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As Chef Donald Stone of Chef D Cuisine set the amazing lunch buffet, Holly explained the contents of the homemade sweet 'n savory gift bags: dessert box with Holly's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookie, cranberry port oatmeal bar & triple ginger sparkler cookie, mini pumpkin bread loaf, small bag of spiced pecans, and mint pesto. An added bonus was a sampling of Holly's first printed photo note cards from her nature photography. ... and the note card paper is GS certified!</span></div>
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</span>
<br />
<div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After lunch the program resumed with a series of industry updates as call outs and presentations. </span><a href="http://mercedesbenzstadium.com/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Mercedes-Benz Stadium</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> General Manager and </span><a href="http://greensportsalliance.org/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Green Sports Alliance</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> (GSA) Chair Scott Jenkins gave a dual presentation. Starting with an update on the stadium's journey to Platinum LEED certification, Scott finished with the GSA's impressive growth and impact. The GSA boasts 300 professional | collegiate teams & venues members from 20 leagues in 14 countries.</span><br />
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<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In her presentation, </span><a href="http://www.uszwbc.org/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">U.S. Zero Business Council </a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(USZWBC) Executive Director Stephanie Barger updated on their </span><a href="http://www.uszwbc.org/certification/facilities" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Zero Waste Business Facility Certification</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> (ZWBFC) success since its March 2013 launch. The ZWA Blog article, </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2014/12/third-party-certification-edges.html">Third Party Certification Edges Industry Towards a Zero Waste Economy</a></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, introduces the certification program along with detailed parameters; the </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2015/10/zero-waste-breaking-down-myths.html">Zero Waste: breaking down myths & establishing standards</a></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> article features the ZWBFCs imperative industry role.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EVJ7SGJcZGk/VlfLliqdfuI/AAAAAAAAC-0/dwtoxvLeIWA/s1600/11-19-15%2BEi%2BPtr%2BMtg%2B-%2BStephanie%2BBarger%2Bspeaking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EVJ7SGJcZGk/VlfLliqdfuI/AAAAAAAAC-0/dwtoxvLeIWA/s200/11-19-15%2BEi%2BPtr%2BMtg%2B-%2BStephanie%2BBarger%2Bspeaking.jpg" width="177" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephanie during her<br />
presentation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stephanie emphasized the powerful USZWBC | Ei partnership; Ei is the National Zero Waste Business Conference (NZWBC) Official Media Sponsor and serves as the USZWBC Media Partner.The ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2015/05/zero-waste-makes-good-business-sense.html">Zero Waste Makes Good Business Sense</a></i>, is an overview of Ei's prominent role at the 2015 NZWBC hosted in downtown Los Angeles.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As the USZWBC Media Partner, Ei published 17 ZWA Blog articles to date. A true partner, the USZWBC actively promotes article readership within their network. With two exceptions, each article exceeds the blog average 680 pageviews; 7 articles exceed 1,000 pageviews!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The <a href="http://www.uszwbc.org/nzwbc2016">5th Annual NZWBC</a> - <i>Tuning Into Zero Waste</i> - is June 1 - 4 hosted in Austin, Texas.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ei Partner Rick Lombardo with <a href="http://www.naturbag.com/">NaturBag</a> gave the SMAT - <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/sustainable-materials-committee">Sustainable Materials ACTION Team</a> - update. At the request of GWCC Director of Sustainability Tim Trefzer, SMAT members crafted a two-hour Compostable Food & Beverage Packaging Education Session for <a href="http://www.levyrestaurants.com/">Levy Restaurants</a>. Note Levy Restaurants has the foodservice contracts for the GWCC, <a href="http://www.gadome.com/">Georgia Dome</a>, <a href="http://www.centennialpark.com/">Centennial Olympic Park</a>, <a href="http://www.philipsarena.com/">Philips Arena</a> and the under-construction Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2015/04/compostable-f-packaging-integral-to.html">Compostable Packaging: integral to zero waste programs and soil rebuilding</a></i>, recaps the well-attended session.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In late summer, the <a href="https://www.worldchefs.org/">World Chefs Association</a> invited Ei to prepare the Waste | Recycling curriculum for their new Sustainability Course designed for international culinary schools. SMAT members researched and prepared the 50+ slide PPT presentation along with talking points, instructor notes and a glossary. The Sustainability Course pilot is set for first quarter 2016 with an international roll-out in the second or third quarter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">SMAT provided support for the zero food waste journeys at RayDay and <i>Afternoon in the Country </i>annual events. A late afternoon session covers the journeys in detail. Rick represented SMAT at the 2015 NZWBC in May on the <i>Source-Separation Maximizes Material Value</i> panel moderated by Holly. Tim also presented on the panel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dKn6kNhiDtI/VlfLW0iTegI/AAAAAAAAC90/PcSP3QqHtLY/s1600/11-19-15%2BEi%2BPtr%2BMtg%2B-%2BKim%2B%2526%2BTim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dKn6kNhiDtI/VlfLW0iTegI/AAAAAAAAC90/PcSP3QqHtLY/s200/11-19-15%2BEi%2BPtr%2BMtg%2B-%2BKim%2B%2526%2BTim.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim & Tim @ reception</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As a sub-grantee under the EPA Scaling Up Composting in Charlotte, NC Grant to Ei Strategic Ally <a href="http://www.greenblue.org/">GreenBlue</a> | <a href="http://www.sustainablepackaging.org/">Sustainable Packaging Coalition</a> (SPC), Ei traveled to Charlotte three times in 2015 for grant-related work. SMAT members were the support arm for Ei's grant work.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kim Charick with <a href="http://www2.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-epa-region-4-southeast">EPA Region 4</a> gave an excellent synopsis of the SPC EPA Grant with an emphasis on Ei's contributions. Within her presentation, Kim included many photos from the five 2014 | 2015 Charlotte visits. The following ZWA Blog articles chronicle the grant work | successes:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2013/10/scaling-up-composting-in-charlotte-nc.html">Scaling Up Composting in Charlotte, NC</a> - </i>gives an overview of grant objectives, tasks and goal.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2015/07/charlotte-opportunities-segue-into.html%22">Charlotte opportunities segue into ACTION</a></i> - chronicles the empowering final Charlotte grant visit.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2015/10/sustainability-industry-defining-itself.html">Sustainability: an industry defining itself</a></i> - recaps the October 2015 SPC Advance Conference in Charlotte where Holly moderated an EPA SPC Grant Panel | Strategy Session.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Next Tim presented on <i>Positioning for Zero Waste: Source-Separated Materials & Sustainable Packaging</i> featuring the GWCC | Ei close, long-term relationship. In his presentation, Tim reviewed work with Ei over the past several years leading up to their post-consumer food waste pilot at the Georgia Dome Club Level. For various reasons, the Source-Separate Materials Recycling Template Pilot is in a holding pattern with intentions to reignite work in mid-to-late 2016.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tim emphasized the importance of the Compostable Food & Beverage Packaging Education Session to creating a clean post-consumer food waste stream. Southern Roots, the new GWCC zero waste restaurant, is doing well and uses a three-bin waste station: recycling, food waste & landfill. Key to GWCC success is viewing waste as a resource.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ReIjPT1xFxg/VlfLlIfVXtI/AAAAAAAAC-s/mzH0sDPxbnc/s1600/11-19-15%2BEi%2BPtr%2BMtg%2B-%2BPaula%2BOwens%2Bspeaking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="155" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ReIjPT1xFxg/VlfLlIfVXtI/AAAAAAAAC-s/mzH0sDPxbnc/s200/11-19-15%2BEi%2BPtr%2BMtg%2B-%2BPaula%2BOwens%2Bspeaking.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paula Owens</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As an informal callout, Paula Owens, TMG purchasing and sustainability manager, gave an overview of the </span><a href="https://www.tedsmontanagrill.com/about_sustainability_planet_water.html" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">TMG Sustainability Commitment</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, with an emphasis on </span><a href="https://www.tedsmontanagrill.com/about_sustainability_planet_water.html" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">water conservation</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Water-efficient toilets and waterless urinals in TMG restaurants save more than 40,000 gallons of water each year. Dining tables are covered with recycled brown butcher paper, which reduces detergent water waste in commercial laundry operations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To complement the in-house water-saving practices, TMG partnered with the <a href="http://www.b-e-f.org/">Bonneville Environmental Foundation</a> (BEF) via investment in <a href="http://www.b-e-f.org/environmental-products/water-restoration-certificates/">Water Restoration Certificates</a>® (WRC). Through the WRC purchases, TMG helped restore 5+ million gallons of water to critically dewatered Colorado Basin tributaries. Additionally, the water restoration directly supported the local recreation-based economy and the needs of fish and wildlife during severe drought.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sgQWDxKQ7EI/VlfTHmUreNI/AAAAAAAADAU/1Qh7HD--Qxo/s1600/11-08-15%2BEi%2BAITC%2BTravis%2B%2526%2Bfriend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sgQWDxKQ7EI/VlfTHmUreNI/AAAAAAAADAU/1Qh7HD--Qxo/s200/11-08-15%2BEi%2BAITC%2BTravis%2B%2526%2Bfriend.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Travis with his camera @ AITC</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ATR Director of Communications Travis Taylor shared the stellar ATR sustainability success story. As the first ZWZ Off-Premise Caterer, ATR surpassed the million pounds of material diverted from the landfill milestone in 2014. The ZWA Blog article, </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2015/06/and-journey-began-with-delicious.html">... and the journey began with a delicious divorce from the landfill!</a></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, announces the City of Atlanta's proclamation of November 11, 2014 as "</span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Affairs to Remember Day</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">" in recognition of the material diversion milestone and gives an overview of ATR's sustainability platform.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sustainable best operating practices make good business sense for ATR. In addition to cost-savings, over $400,000 of revenue is a direct result of the ATR sustainability platform, formally named </span><a href="http://affairs.com/caterer/community/about/legacy-green/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Legacy Green</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cindy Jackson, GT Waste | Recycling Director, is an industry powerhouse who never succumbed to single-stream recycling on the prominent university campus. WHY? According to Cindy, her award-winning recycling program improves the GT bottom line and maintains a culture of respecting valuable material. As always, Cindy asked pertinent questions during presentations and added valuable insight to discussions. Holly refers to Cindy as " </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The AMAZING Cindy Jackson!</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">" - a truthful statement!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With state permits in-place, <a href="http://www.firstgenenergy.com/">First Generation</a> is ready to break ground on an anaerobic digestion (AD) plant in Conyers, just over 20 miles from downtown Atlanta. By late summer 2016, the AD plant will serve as a food waste destination for metro Atlanta. Approximately 50% of the capacity is pre-committed by commercial food plants. Ei Partner <a href="http://mpassenvironmental.com/">M-PASS Environmental</a> will fill the remaining capacity with foodservice industry food waste collection. M-PASS Technical Services Manager Chris Cummings, along with Holly, gave the First Generation update.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M46ksr5_b1I/VlfM99PEISI/AAAAAAAAC-8/WuVX_IX8uvY/s1600/11-19-15%2BEi%2BPtr%2BMtg%2B-%2BAndrew%2Bat%2Bhis%2Bseat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="169" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M46ksr5_b1I/VlfM99PEISI/AAAAAAAAC-8/WuVX_IX8uvY/s200/11-19-15%2BEi%2BPtr%2BMtg%2B-%2BAndrew%2Bat%2Bhis%2Bseat.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew Lantz</td></tr>
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<a href="http://keteres.com/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Keter Environmental Services</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Regional Manager Andrew Lantz gave a quick overview of Keter's impressive expansion of mall recycling | waste management contracts. With plastic film recycling and food waste diversion Keter's two top priorities, Keter uses their sustainability commitment as a competitive advantage when pursuing new clients. Keter manages two Atlanta malls with TMG restaurants; Andrew and Paula were happy to connect! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the afternoon, Holly presented on the Ei PetroWax-Free Box Initiative on behalf of <a href="http://www.seydel.com/about/the-companies/chemol-company/">Chemol</a> President Fred Wellons. PetroWax boxes are TRASH and expensive - an estimated $63 mil annually is spent on landfill tipping fees, instead of earning an estimated $180 mil in cardboard recycling revenue. It is cost-neutral for box manufacturers to switch to a petrowax alternative coating; no equipment changes are necessary either!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Simple economics support the shift to alternative coatings.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rpq0OYQ3KBQ/VlfLdHiDomI/AAAAAAAAC-U/iKdb-eQiUW8/s1600/11-19-15%2BEi%2BPtr%2BMtg%2B-%2BHolly%2BElmore%2Bspeaking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rpq0OYQ3KBQ/VlfLdHiDomI/AAAAAAAAC-U/iKdb-eQiUW8/s200/11-19-15%2BEi%2BPtr%2BMtg%2B-%2BHolly%2BElmore%2Bspeaking.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holly pointing out the PetroWax-Free<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The ZWA Blog's second most popular article with 4800 pageviews, </span><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2012/05/waxed-cardboard-boxes-landfill-destiny.html" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Waxed Cardboard = Landfill = $$ Lost</i></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, gives a synopsis of the industry dilemma along with an overview of a 2012 NRA Show educational session. In August of 2013, Ei led a trip to Indianapolis to observe petrowaxed box utilization at </span><a href="http://www.piazzaproduce.com/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Piazza Produce</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, a strong regional produce distributor who boasts TMG as a loyal customer. Paula joined the Ei Team in Indy for the powerful visit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With the Ei Pioneers ready for action, the Ei PetroWax-Free Box Initiative will launch in early to mid 2016.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Following the afternoon break, </span><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/SFCI" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Sustainable Food Court Initiative</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Co-Chair Doug Kunnemann of </span><a href="http://www.natureworksllc.com/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">NatureWorks</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> led the 45 minute session on Zero Food Waste Journeys with Ken Fraser of </span><a href="http://www.ecoproducts.com/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Eco-Products</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and Holly playing supporting roles. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In June 2015, Ei and the </span><a href="http://www.ldeiatlanta.org/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Les Dames d'Escoffier International (LDEI) Atlanta Chapter</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> agreed to partner on a zero waste food journey for their prestigious November 8, </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07eat2w57r732389f4&llr=mhthxsbab">Afternoon in the Country</a></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> (AITC) fundraising event hosted within the </span><a href="http://serenbe.com/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Serenbe community</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Event Producer Sue Anne Morgan, </span><a href="http://www.idealand.com/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">ideaLand</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> owner, was excited to learn how to orchestrate zero food waste events along with keys to successes. The ZWA Blog article, </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2015/06/afternoon-in-country-embarks-on-zero.html">Afternoon in the Country embarks on a zero food waste journey</a></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, announces the Ei | LDEI partnership for zero food waste at AITC.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A zero food waste plan breaks down into three main categories, each equally important for an effective plan:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>Food & Beverage (F&B) </u><u>Serviceware</u> - ensure 100% <a href="http://www.bpiworld.org/">BPI-certified</a> compostable products are used for all F&B served at the event and prepackaged beverages are in recyclable containers. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>Food Waste Collection</u> - a three-bin waste | recycling supported by clear signage & Waste Ambassadors assisting guests separate their material.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>Food Waste Destination</u> - a food donation program and composting site are key to close the zero food waste loop.</span></li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serenbe site visit</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ei Partner Eco-Products stepped forward as a key in-kind event sponsor and played a vital role in education support. Compostable bags were provided by Ei Partner NaturBag. In August, SMAT members provided a two-hour Compostable F&B Packaging Education, modified for the AITC, to the LDEI Sustainability Task Force.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the meantime, Sue Anne confirmed Serenbe was open to adding post-consumer food waste & compostable packaging to their farm waste compost pile. Holly & Boyd Leake, with his <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Community-Environmental-Management-116988211695118/">Community Environmental Management</a> hat on, secured a Letter of Interpretation from the <a href="http://epd.georgia.gov/">Georgia Environmental Protection Division</a> stating the AITC food waste falls into Category I of the permit regulations; thus, a formal composting permit is not required within the regulations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ei contracted with Ei Supporter <a href="http://letuscompost.com/">Let Us Compost</a> to orchestrate the on-site food waste compost operations at AITC along with post-event follow-up. A Serenbe site inspection was essential to understand the circumstances and develop a rapport with the farm personnel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2015/09/atlanta-food-waste-heroes-journey.html">Atlanta Food Waste Heroes: the journey continues ...</a></i>, details the extensive planning implemented in the months leading up to the AITC event day.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vtg-MBh2Gvc/VlfQakLRfbI/AAAAAAAADAI/TNwXeFeO3JA/s1600/10-11-15%2BEi%2BRayDay%2BKristen%2B%2526%2BScott%2B%2540%2Bcompost%2Bpile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vtg-MBh2Gvc/VlfQakLRfbI/AAAAAAAADAI/TNwXeFeO3JA/s200/10-11-15%2BEi%2BRayDay%2BKristen%2B%2526%2BScott%2B%2540%2Bcompost%2Bpile.jpg" width="173" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kristen educating Scott<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As the Event Producer for October 11 RayDay hosted at Serenbe, Sue Anne secured the zero food waste commitment from the <a href="http://www.raycandersonfoundation.org/">Ray C. Anderson Foundation</a>. With the team in-place, Ei quickly pulled together an effective plan for the third annual RayDay.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ken presented on the RayDay zero food waste success with 1200 pounds of food waste composted on-site. <a href="http://www.food-movement.com/main.html">The Food Movement</a> brought their prep waste to the event, resulting in a literal zero food waste event. Added Bonus: Ei Chair Scott Seydel attended the event as a guest! The ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2015/11/simple-easy-proven-steps-culminate-in.html">Simple, easy, proven steps culminate in zero food waste success</a></i>, recaps the RayDay zero food waste success.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While a perfect scenario came together for RayDay: great, dry weather, paid Waste Ambassadors and one caterer, AITC was riddled with extraordinary challenges on event day. A rainy event day, coupled with prior ten days straight of rain, greeted event organizers, participants and guests with tremendous mud during set-up and throughout the event. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Xj1j1M3ioQ/VlfQHBRJiLI/AAAAAAAAC_w/IpFbnTHVmeY/s1600/11-08-15%2BEi%2BAITC%2Bmuddy%2Bseating%2Barea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Xj1j1M3ioQ/VlfQHBRJiLI/AAAAAAAAC_w/IpFbnTHVmeY/s200/11-08-15%2BEi%2BAITC%2Bmuddy%2Bseating%2Barea.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AITC mud-drenched seating area<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of the 20 committed volunteers, only four showed up ready-to-work in the extreme conditions. And work they did! Cardboard waste | recycling bins disintegrated into the mud. The promised farm tractor at 11:00 a.m. was finally delivered at 4:00 p.m. as the event closed. Note the tractor was necessary for the compost pile construction. ... and there were 90+ chefs | restaurants participating at AITC!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Ei Team - Doug, his lovely wife Rebecca, Kim, Ken, Holly, Boyd and Sarah Martell with <a href="http://www.innoviafilms.com/">Innovia Films</a> - rolled up their sleeves to pinch hit within the challenges and created success amidst abundant lessons learned. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks to SuperHero Kristen Baskin, Let Us Compost owner, along with her associate Corey Helms, 1800 pounds of clean food waste was included in the on-farm compost pile. Throughout the day, Kristen kept the volunteers efficient weighing food waste bags as they arrived at the compost area, cleansing the food waste of contaminants and sorting flatware for grinding before added to the pile. Boyd was instrumental to building the compost pile, using his extensive composting experience.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r3XjXIFjZA0/VlfNi69tdBI/AAAAAAAAC_E/_58IZmWXL6M/s1600/11-19-15%2BEi%2BPtr%2BMtg%2B-%2BSuzanne%2BBurnes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r3XjXIFjZA0/VlfNi69tdBI/AAAAAAAAC_E/_58IZmWXL6M/s200/11-19-15%2BEi%2BPtr%2BMtg%2B-%2BSuzanne%2BBurnes.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suzanne closing meeting</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Ei FB album, <i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1174266012601149.1073741877.120919654602462&type=3">Afternoon in the Country, a zero food waste journey</a></i>, is pictorial recap of the pre-event planning and the event day challenges and successes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Suzanne closed the 2015 Annual Ei Partner Meeting with a quick recap of Ei's major accomplishments since inception. During the ZWZ launch and program building, Suzanne was the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Sustainability Division deputy director and a strong ally in the early Ei days. Thank you Suzanne for volunteering your time to moderate the 2015 Annual Ei Partner Meeting!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The wine reception following the formal meeting was an excellent time for Partners to chat in a relaxed atmosphere and continue discussions started during the meeting. Partners were treated to Holly's homemade gravlax with mustard dill sauce and her goat cheese cheesecake with grape compote. Chef Donald completed the reception with his excellent cheese & light hors d'oeuvres platters.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Following tradition, the meeting festivities ended with a lovely dinner at <a href="http://www.portofinoatl.com/index">Portofino</a>. Superb food and wine brought forth the magic intertwined within the powerful presentations and dialogue throughout the day.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oFA_s2H2GII/VlfLKyfa7zI/AAAAAAAAC9c/MLong7Knw2I/s1600/11-19-15%2BEi%2BPtr%2BMtg%2BDinner%2B-%2BJordan%252C%2BRidwan%2B%2526%2BTiffany.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oFA_s2H2GII/VlfLKyfa7zI/AAAAAAAAC9c/MLong7Knw2I/s200/11-19-15%2BEi%2BPtr%2BMtg%2BDinner%2B-%2BJordan%252C%2BRidwan%2B%2526%2BTiffany.jpg" width="188" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Partners enjoying pre-dinner<br />
conversation</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A big THANK YOU to recent University of Georgia grads (& newlyweds!) Tiffany Eberhard & Ridwan Bhuiyan for helping out with the meeting administration. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Ei FB album, </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1179665218727895.1073741878.120919654602462&type=3">2015 Ei Annual Meeting</a></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, is a pictorial recap of the monumental day. PPT presentations are soon available for download on the </span><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/Annual_Ei_Partner_Meeting" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Annual Ei Partner Meetings</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> page.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With the Year of ACTION coming to a close, the Ei Team is excited to enter the Year of Accomplishments! Stay tuned ...</span></div>
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Holly Elmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320051691727973987noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343862423890160222.post-7500354376211309182014-11-25T23:00:00.001-05:002018-11-15T13:49:11.672-05:00Ei 2014: A Year of Evolution<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/10634027_937553942939025_6127449993008042220_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="109" src="https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/10634027_937553942939025_6127449993008042220_o.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full room of attentive attendees</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">On Thursday, November 20 </span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Elemental Impact</a> <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/sponsors" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Partners</a>, <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/sponsors" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Friends</a>, <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/strategic-partners" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Strategic Allies</a> and <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/AdvisoryCouncil" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Advisory Council </a>Members</span><span style="line-height: 18px;"> traveled from across the nation to attend the Annual Ei Partner Meeting. It was a</span><span style="line-height: 18px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">powerful day filled with education, updates, camaraderie along with great food and wine.</span><span style="line-height: 18px;"> Thank you <a href="http://www.hlbgrosscollins.com/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">HLB Gross Collins</a> for providing the perfect venue for the meeting and reception.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Ei Chair Scott Seydel opened the meeting with a warm welcome and a reminder the meeting follows the </span><a href="http://www.continuityforum.org/content/news/2005/14/chatham-house-rule-explained" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" target="_blank">Chatham House Rule</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">. Following introductions, Ei founder Holly Elmore gave the Annual Ei Year in Review presentation. In her opening slide, Holly summarized the past and current years as follows:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 14.3999996185303px; text-indent: -0.5in;">2012: </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 14.3999996185303px; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b>Year of Accomplishments | Completions</b> - in late 2012 the <a href="http://elementalimpact.org/Zero-Waste-Zones" target="_blank">Zero Waste Zones</a> were sold to the <a href="http://www.restaurant.org/Home" target="_blank">National Restaurant Association</a> catapulting Ei into a major metamorphosis.The ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2012/10/ei-established-program-creator.html" target="_blank">The NRA Acquires ZWZ</a></i>, announces the monumental </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 14.3999996185303px; text-indent: -0.5in;">acquisition.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 14.3999996185303px; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b>2013: </b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 14.3999996185303px; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b>Year of Transitions | Introductions</b> - until fall 2013 Ei flowed within the metamorphosis stage. As the year drew to a close, the three-platforms approach for Ei initiatives emerged. The IMPACT Blog, <i><a href="http://elementalimpact.blogspot.com/2013/08/ei-emerges-strong-from-metamorphosis.html" target="_blank">Ei Emerges Strong from Metamorphosis</a></i>, introduced the three platforms: Water Use | Toxicity, Recycling Refinement and Product Stewardship.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 14.3999996185303px; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b>2014: </b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 14.3999996185303px; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b>Year of Foundations | Evolutions</b> - in 2014 the platforms were grounded with initiative launches and supporting taglines.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Within her presentation, Holly gave an overview of each platform, initiative launches and future plans. In addition, Holly's presentation gave a road map of the action-packed meeting agenda. The following recaps the meeting presentations in a three-platform format.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 8px; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/Water_Use_Toxicity" target="_blank">Water Use | Toxicity</a>:</span> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 8px; text-indent: 0in;">The Water Footprint: the new </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 8px; text-indent: 0in;">sustainability standard</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ei Chair Scott Seydel with<br />
Chuck Riegle of Tomra</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The water footprint is as or even more important than the carbon footprint. Global warming garners the headlines using the carbon footprint as the accepted sustainability measurement tool. Ei intends to bring the water footprint to center stage through the Water Use | Toxicity platform.<br /> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the ZWA Blog post, <em style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2013/05/zero-water-waste-more-than-goal.html" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Zero WATER Waste: more than a goal, a necessity</a></em>, the foundation for Ei’s Water Use | Toxicity Platform is established.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In alignment with one of Ei’s mantras: <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b>If it was easy, it would already be done</b></em>, the Ei Team explores areas of corporate water consumption where technologies exist to reduce or eliminate the water usage. Equipment investment must be offset by water cost-savings with a reasonable ROI – return on investment.<br /><br />The initial focus is on water reduction in areas where the “spent water” released into sewer systems or other waterways is laden with toxic chemicals. Thus, water use and toxicity are addressed in unison.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">During the platform intro, Holly mentioned her personal passion for revitalizing the water & soil microbial community back into a healthy, active and balanced state. The toxins released into the sewer systems, waterways and the soil are staged for 2015 | 2016 initiative groundwork.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holly & Wayne at the<br />
post-meeting reception</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Ei Advisory Council member Wayne King of <a href="http://www.erthproducts.com/dnn/dnn/" target="_blank">ERTH Products</a> announced the </span><a href="http://www.fao.org/" target="_blank">Food & Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO)</a> <span style="line-height: 18px;">issued a proclamation of the <a href="http://www.fao.org/globalsoilpartnership/iys-2015/en/" target="_blank">International Year of Soils 2015</a>. Ei Strategic Ally <a href="http://compostingcouncil.org/" target="_blank">U.S. Composting Council</a> works closely with the FAO on activities to celebrate the Year of Soils along with implementing long-lasting programs that heal | rejuvenate soils.</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"> </span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">With the re-activation of <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/GREASE" target="_blank">GREASE</a> - <b>G</b>rease <b>R</b>ecycling & <b>E</b>nergy <b>A</b>lternative <b>S</b>olutions</span><span style="line-height: 18px;"> for the </span><strong style="line-height: 18px;">E</strong><span style="line-height: 18px;">nvironment, </span><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Ei takes first action steps in Water Use | Toxicity with a focus on three types of kitchen-generated grease:</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> </span></div>
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<li><span style="border: 0px; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/Spent_Grease" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Spent Grease</a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - used grease from fryers, often referred to as yellow grease; addressed in 2010 with respect to ZWZ participation criteria.</span></li>
<li><span style="border: 0px; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/Airborne_Kitchen_Grease" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Airborne Kitchen Grease</a> (AKG)</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - grease accumulated in the exhaust system from kitchen operations; prime 2014 focus.</span></li>
<li><span style="border: 0px; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "lucida grande" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/FOG" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">F.O.G.</a></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "lucida grande" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "verdana" , sans-serif;"> - Fats, Oils & Grease - grease collected from grease traps, often referred to as brown grease; staged for 2015 focus.</span></li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joe & Holly @ post-mtg dinner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "lucida grande" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the afternoon Ei Sustainer Joe Salpietra with <a href="http://www.greaselock.com/" target="_blank">Ellis Fibre | Grease Lock Filters</a> (GLF) gave an impressive update on the strong Ei | GLF partnership. GLF is the foundation for Ei's Airborne Kitchen Grease (AKG), <i>a proactive approach to a costly cooking byproduct, </i>initiative.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "lucida grande" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "verdana" , sans-serif;">The short <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKXrbcLTYnE" target="_blank">GLF Intro Video</a> gives a quick overview of the disposable filter system including the significant water, labor and cost-savings via capturing the AKG before it enters the kitchen exhaust system.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "lucida grande" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "verdana" , sans-serif;">In his presentation, Joe's <i>A Winning Combination</i> slide details Ei partner benefits within three categories:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "lucida grande" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Great Networking</b> with fellow Ei Partners, health departments, fire departments, foodservice operators and awareness with local, state & federal government agencies</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "lucida grande" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Great Assistance</b> with global awareness via blog articles, corporate introductions, meeting attendance, social media and networking.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "lucida grande" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Great Results</b> with national contracts, campus-wide GLF installation at the Atlanta Airport (ATL) and tremendous potential water savings.</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "lucida grande" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">When fully implemented, the Atlanta Airport (ATL) campus-wide GLF installation is estimated to save the airport 1.1 million gallons of water annually. ATL serves as an industry leader and the catalyst for the metro Atlanta foodservice operators to address AKG in a proactive manner.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "lucida grande" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i>In Georgia alone the potential annual water-savings by foodservice operators using the GLF system is <b>168 million gallons</b>. Remember this is toxic cleaning chemical laden water-savings.</i></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Next on the Water Use | Toxicity agenda is water-savings in cooling tower systems via WCTI's simple, effective and patented technology. Verizon, Microsoft, Boeing (to name a few) use the WCTI system in their data center cooling towers and enjoy the associated water and cost-savings. The potential water-savings at ATL with the WCTI system is 15 -16 million gallons annually. <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/supporters" target="_blank">Ei Supporter</a> Jim Harrell of <a href="http://www.savegeorgiawater.com/" target="_blank">Renaissance Technologies</a> gave a quick WCTI overview via a call out.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/RecyclingRefinement" target="_blank">Recycling Refinement</a>: </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: italic; text-indent: 0in;">Moving beyond landfill diversion</span></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Until recently zero waste measurement was in diversion rates from the landfill without consideration of the final destination. Single-stream recycling, often the only recycling option available, results in material contamination and a high percentage of recyclable items landfill destined. Note effective single-stream MRF – material recovery facilities – separation is limited by the contamination in the delivered material.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Louis Herrera ( Hilex Poly) &<br />
Doug Kunnemann (NW)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">Within Recycling Refinement, the focus is on <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/Total_Materials_Management_Approach" target="_blank">Total Material Management</a> where the entire waste | recycling stream is addressed within one revenue | cost center. The stated goal is true zero waste with a strong focus on ultimate material destination and the remaining "trash" within the steam. Materials with strong end markets (e.g. aluminum, mixed paper, certain plastics) subsidize more challenging streams generated in operations. Food waste is a challenging material stream.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back-of-the-house (pre-consumer) food waste industry practices were perfected by early zero waste pioneers. Front-of-the-house (post-consumer) food waste remains a recycling frontier for two main reasons: 1> necessary shift in consumer-facing packaging to create clean food waste streams and 2> consumer responsibility for food waste disposal. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The morning session concluded with a three-presenter <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/SFCI" target="_blank">Sustainable Food Court Initiative</a> update and educational presentations moderated by SFCI Co-Chair Doug Kunneman of <a href="http://www.natureworksllc.com/" target="_blank">NatureWorks</a> (NW). Within his introductions, Doug gave a thorough update on SFCI successes along with the history leading to recent accomplishments.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.gwcc.com/" target="_blank">Georgia World Congress Center</a> (GWCC) director of sustainability Tim Trefzer gave an impressive presentation on the <i>GWCC's Road to LEED Certification</i>. Tim distributed infomercial cards chronicling the nine-year journey to the monumental achievement along with the impressive campus programs initiated. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i><b>The GWCC is the World's Largest LEED Certified Convention Center</b></i></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: inherit;">The ZWA Blog article, </span><i><a href="http://elementalimpact.blogspot.com/2014/11/gwcc-leed-certification-showcases.html" target="_blank">GWCC LEED Certification Showcases Sustainability Leadership</a></i><span style="font-style: inherit;">, details the certification journey along with the strong Ei | GWCC long-standing partnership. Note the <a href="http://www.gadome.com/" target="_blank">Georgia Dome</a>, one of four facilities under the GWCCA umbrella, serves as the <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/SFCI_Georgia_Dome_Pilot" target="_blank">SFCI - Event Venue Pilot</a>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In 2011 <a href="http://www.atlanta-airport.com/" target="_blank">Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport</a> (ATL) - the busiest airport in the world - joined Ei as the <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/SFCI_ATL_Airport_Pilot" target="_blank">SFCI - Airport Pilot</a>. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With impeccable timing, the ATL was in the midst of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the entire airport foodservice operations. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Michael Cheyne, ATL director of asset management & sustainability, made the bold, courageous and successful move to include the following provision in the RFP: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“<i>Concessionaire shall use compostable serviceware along with consumer facing packaging and source separate all food service wastes for direct transport to off airport composting facilities.</i>”</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The ZWA Blog article,</span><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><em style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2011/10/atlanta-airport-makes-bold-sustainable.html" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Atlanta Airport Makes a Bold Sustainable Statement</span></a></span></em><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">, announced the </span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">groundbreaking compostable packaging provision in the ten-year airport concessionaire contracts. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">During the 18-month contract implementation time frame, concessionaires were operating in a grace period for complying with the contract provision. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKPGb4JCjGmt03bYLwFZyhjqCkEAND_wgHtuV2JSe3DAQ2_4rOZkxMYkhpfkVWy2bTGYQZA9mK8H0uvgfMxieIQQG3cv8BfmwzGdJL7kTdhZdzcCZowaKdcefoxuOOZ83UfqrFueo9sk/s1600/10-22-14+SFCI+Vendor+Fair+Sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKPGb4JCjGmt03bYLwFZyhjqCkEAND_wgHtuV2JSe3DAQ2_4rOZkxMYkhpfkVWy2bTGYQZA9mK8H0uvgfMxieIQQG3cv8BfmwzGdJL7kTdhZdzcCZowaKdcefoxuOOZ83UfqrFueo9sk/s1600/10-22-14+SFCI+Vendor+Fair+Sign.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; background: transparent; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" width="156" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vendor Fair sign in<br />ATL atrium</span></td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With the contract roll-out period complete, ATL is activating the compostable packaging contract provision. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">In spring 2013, Liza Milagro joined the ATL team as zero waste coordinator and later was promoted to senior sustainability planner. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Liza is responsible for activating the ATL compostable packaging contract provision.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On October 22, ATL hosted the <a href="http://www.atlanta-airport.com/fifth/sustainability/GreenServiceAwardRegistration.aspx" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">greeningATL</a> SFCI Vendor Fair to facilitate program roll-out assistance. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Well attended by concessionaires, the fair's vendors educated operators on the ample packaging options available to meet the contract provision. Ei Partners Ken Fraser of </span><a href="http://www.ecoproducts.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" target="_blank">EcoProducts</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"> and Rick Lombardo of </span><a href="http://www.naturbag.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" target="_blank">NaturBag</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"> represented the SFCI Team at the vendor fair - thanks!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">During her presentation, Liza announced the contract provision grace period ends with a tiered approach: </span></div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>January 15, 2015,</b> for non-branded food and beverage packaging</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Summer 2015,</b> for branded food and beverage packaging to allow for printing conversion</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">The ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2014/10/atlanta-airports-leadership-role-in.html" target="_blank">Atlanta Airport's Leadership Role in Compostable Food & Beverage Packaging</a></i>, gives a detailed history of the compostable packaging provision culminating in the SFCI Vendor Fair.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">After a synopsis of the Ei | ATL partnership and history of the contract provision, Doug introduced Liza for an update on ATL's sustainability achievements and future plans. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">The GLF campus-wide installation and the compostable contract provision were prominent in Liza's presentation.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cs4bk1LC8vQ/VHU5YnHEajI/AAAAAAAACL4/UQGUfX9QePk/s1600/10-22-14%2BSFCI%2BVendor%2BFair%2B-%2BKen%2C%2BRick%2B%26%2BLiza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="152" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cs4bk1LC8vQ/VHU5YnHEajI/AAAAAAAACL4/UQGUfX9QePk/s1600/10-22-14%2BSFCI%2BVendor%2BFair%2B-%2BKen%2C%2BRick%2B%26%2BLiza.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken & Rick with Liza at the<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Under new leadership, ATL announced a powerful goal: greenest airport in the world. On her <i>Policies Create Change</i> slide, Liza listed the following ATL policies recently or soon-to-be-issued: Sustainability, Zero Waste, Climate Action, and Green Infrastructure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">As he concluded the session, Doug announced post-consumer food waste is the 2014 | 2015 SFCI stated focus. Integral to post-consumer food waste is food & beverage packaging and contaminants within the food waste stream. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">The ZWA Blog article, </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2014/07/sfci-targets-post-consumer-food-waste.html" target="_blank">SFCI targets post-consumer food waste</a></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">, announced the focus along with SFCI Pilot updates.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.bpiworld.org/" target="_blank">BPI-Certified</a> compostable food & beverage packaging decompose in windrow or covered aerated static pile composting systems within the applicable <a href="http://www.astm.org/" target="_blank">American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM) Standards</a>. However, the ASTM Standards & BPI Certification criteria do not address how compostable packaging fares through </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">anaerobic digesters (AD).</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve during his presentation<br />
photo courtesy of Melissa Selem</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Doug introduced Steve Davies, NW director public affairs, who presented </span><i style="line-height: 18px;">Perspective: Bioplastics & Anaerobic Digestion</i><span style="line-height: 18px;">. After a brief overview of bioplastics, Steve gave a detailed AD introduction in three areas: overview of the landscape, the basics, and system types & how bioplastics integrate. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">As an industry leader, NW is committed to driving public policy, legislation and facilitating food waste systems that benefit the entire value stream, including the soil and energy resources. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Ei Partner <a href="http://www.hmshost.com/" target="_blank">HMSHost</a> is an industry leader willing to pioneer new sustainable operating practices that ground into standard practices. Devon Ray, HMSHost senior contracting manager, presented on HMSHost's sustainability commitment, successes and future plans. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Within her presentation, Devon noted ATL HMSHost operations anticipate $48.000 in cost-savings due to GLF installations in concession outlets with kitchen exhaust systems. The HMSHost Las Vegas operations are next in line for GLF installation</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">; a national installation rollout is in the planning stages.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">In a later session, Holly credited the 2011 ATL HMSHost milk jug recycling program as the <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/Source-Separated_Materials_Recyling" target="_blank">Source-Separated Materials Recycling Template</a> (S-SMRT) initial catalyst. The ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2012/04/milk-jugs-recycled-atlanta-airport.html" target="_blank">Milk Jugs Recycled at the Atlanta Airport</a></i>, gives an overview of the catalytic program.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The HMSHost presentation was the perfect segue to the two Charlotte-oriented presentations. <a href="http://www.simon.com/mall/concord-mills" target="_blank">Concord Mills</a> (CM) serves at the <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/SFCI_Concord_Mills_Pilot" target="_blank">SFCI - Shopping Mall Pilot</a>; HMSHost operates the CM food court under a concessions lease.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Kim Charick, <a href="http://www2.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-epa-region-4-southeast" target="_blank">U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region IV </a>environmental scientist, educated the Ei Partners on the <a href="http://www.epa.gov/foodrecoverychallenge/" target="_blank">EPA Food Recovery Challenge</a> (FRC) and the Scaling Up Composting in Charlotte Grant to the <a href="http://www.sustainablepackaging.org/" target="_blank">Sustainable Packaging Coalition</a> (SPC). Ei is a subgrantee on the grant via a contract with the SPC.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2014/03/epa-food-recovery-challenge-region-iv.html" target="_blank">EPA Food Recovery Challenge: Region IV launches FRC in hospitality sector</a></i>, gives a program overview; the <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2014/05/ei-joins-epa-food-recovery-challenge.html" target="_blank">Ei Joins the EPA Food Recovery Challenge</a></i> article details Ei's role in the program launch.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Throughout the annual meeting, Holly explained how the EPA Scaling Up Composting in Charlotte Grant influenced and contributed to Ei initiatives underway. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The grant was the catalyst for the SPC joining the Ei Strategic Ally program via a formal Memorandum of Understanding. In addition, the grant team Charlotte visits spawned Ei work complementary to the grant. The ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2013/10/scaling-up-composting-in-charlotte-nc.html" target="_blank">Scaling Up Composting in Charlotte, NC</a></i>, details the grant goal, objectives and tasks.</span></span></div>
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at Earth Farms </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">In March the grant team visited Charlotte for an action-packed agenda filled with meetings, tours and strategy sessions. The ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2014/05/charlotte-focuses-on-food-waste-with.html" target="_blank">Charlotte focuses on food waste with EPA grant support</a></i>, is a recap of the excellent visit. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Kim ended her presentation by announcing the grant was extended another year WITH additional funds!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">With <a href="http://charmeck.org/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Mecklenburg County Government</a> (MCG) a grant partner, Kim's grant presentation flowed into the introduction to Laurette Hall, MCG environmental manager, waste reduction. The strong Ei | Charlotte | MCG relationship was evident in PPT slides leading up to Laurette's podium time. It was an honor Laurette accepted the invitation to attend and speak at the annual meeting.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BHjJ7QCXmwk/VHU3OLJcb9I/AAAAAAAACLs/646o48N5NPk/s1600/07-30-14%2BWallace%2BFarms%2B-%2BSarah%2C%2BLaurette%2B%26%2BKim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BHjJ7QCXmwk/VHU3OLJcb9I/AAAAAAAACLs/646o48N5NPk/s1600/07-30-14%2BWallace%2BFarms%2B-%2BSarah%2C%2BLaurette%2B%26%2BKim.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah, Laurette & Kim at the<br />
Wallace Farms composting tour</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Zero waste successes and opportunities were intertwined within Laurette's MCG overview | waste reduction commitment. The goal is to create pilots within Ei initiatives focused on material management and beyond in the Charlotte metro area. </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">In July the Ei Team invested in a Charlotte visit to explore opportunities and strategize on next steps. The ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2014/08/ei-charlotte-visit-busy-productive-fun.html" target="_blank">Ei Charlotte Visit: Busy, Productive & FUN!</a></i>, chronicles the visit. During the total eight-hour drive time, the SMAT - <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/sustainable-materials-committee" target="_blank">Sustainable Materials ACTION Team</a> - was formed, website copy written and Ei Partner Sarah Martell of <a href="http://www.innoviafilms.com/" target="_blank">Innovia Films</a> named Chair.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">... and Sarah was next on the agenda to introduce SMAT! With ACTION a key word in SMAT, Sarah's presentation included photos from the Charlotte visit along with SFCI - ATL and SFCI - GA Dome tours. The entire SMAT membership attended the meeting! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">SMAT Members:</span></span></div>
<div>
<ul style="background-color: white;">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Sarah Martell, Innovia Films - Chair</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Wendell Simonson, EcoProducts</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Rick Lombardo, NaturBags</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Grant Braasch, NatureWorks (Doug represented Grant at the meeting)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Kim Charick, EPA Region IV</span></span></li>
</ul>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10533309_937553476272405_7161292319733068382_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10533309_937553476272405_7161292319733068382_o.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SMAT members Rick Lombardo,<br />
Ken Fraser & Wendell Simonson<br />
@ the reception</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The overriding purpose of SMAT is to provide materials expertise to support the SFCI Pilots, S-SMRT, the EPA grant and other Ei initiatives within the Recycling Refinement platform. Future action plans include:</span></span></div>
<div>
<ul style="background-color: white;">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Post-consumer food waste collection white paper</b> focused on industry best practices in the following areas: sorting stations & signage, staff training, educational materials and engagement.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Boulder Ei Partner Tours</b> slated for late spring | summer sponsored by SMAT members.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Following the SMAT introduction, Holly took the podium to educate the Ei Partners on the S-SMRT and the Atlanta city-wide pilot. S-SMRT epitomizes one of the common phrases Holly uses in speaking engagements:</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b>Ei is a creator, an incubator.</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b>Ei determines what could be done that is not being done and gets it done.</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b>Ei brings the possible out of impossible.</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b>Ei identifies pioneers and creates heroes.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong></strong></em><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong></strong></em></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In simplistic terms, S-SMRT encompasses the Total Material Management approach discussed above with the following steps:</span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span></span>
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<ul><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<li><span style="line-height: 18px;">Generators source-separate material on-site and compact into mini bales.</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 18px;">Hauler collects bales to transport to the recycling center.</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 18px;">Recycling center associates tract material received by type | generator, re-bale into standard sized bales, and store in a tractor trailer by material type until full.</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 18px;">Hauler sells material directly to a manufacturing | recycling end destination and pays rebates to generators based on their respective percentage of the load sold.</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 18px;">Ei oversees the system to ensure the entire value chain makes a reasonable profit.</span></li>
</span></span></span></ul>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Financial template success is grounded in two factors: </span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>CLEAN MATERIAL & </b></span><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;">VOLUME</span><b style="line-height: 18px;">. </b><span style="line-height: 18px;">The template tagline is:</span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Contamination is a Mistake!</b></span></i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Ei Partner <a href="http://www.m-passinc.com/" target="_blank">M-PASS Environmental</a> serves as the S-SMRT hauler and intends to create a turnkey option for the next tier of template pioneers. With M-PASS associates baling the material there is strong control over the quality of material sent to the recycling center.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A7tSmPzrPYw/VliQgqeBm1I/AAAAAAAADAw/2ydreBskMt8/s1600/01-11-12%2Bexamining%2Bplastic%2B%2540%2BCM.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="193" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A7tSmPzrPYw/VliQgqeBm1I/AAAAAAAADAw/2ydreBskMt8/s200/01-11-12%2Bexamining%2Bplastic%2B%2540%2BCM.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
Louis Herrera educating Matt</div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
Hupp on plastic film @ CM</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Since the beginning, Ei did not support single-stream recycling and wrote numerous blog articles in favor of source-separation. A most effective ZWA Blog article, <a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2011/07/single-stream-recycling-good-bad-ugly.html" target="_blank">Single-Stream Recycling: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly</a>, was based on an EPA webinar with the same title.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">As mentioned above, the first S-SMRT step was the ATL HMSHost milk jug recycling pilot. In 2012, the SFCI - CM launched the first shopping mall plastic film recycling pilot; the second step in the template foundation. Ei Partner Louis Herrera of <a href="http://www.hilexpoly.com/" target="_blank">Hilex Poly</a> served as the visionary and plastic film educator during the pilot development.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The ZWA Blog article, </span><em style="border: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2012/08/action-theme-for-sfci-shopping-mall.html" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">ACTION: Theme for the SFCI Shopping Mall Pilot</a></em><span style="line-height: 18px;">, announces the plastic film recycling pilot. Note Jake Wilson, one of Laurette's lead MCG managers, was prominent throughout the year plus planning for the launch.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The third significant template step was the <a href="http://www.freshpointmarketing.com/Atlanta/" target="_blank">Fresh Point ATL</a> (FPA) plastic film recycling pilot. In the ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2014/01/plastic-film-recycling-new-frontier.html" target="_blank">Plastic Film Recycling: A New Frontier</a></i>, the plastic film recycling history, facts and the FPA pilot were detailed. Ei's first directed video, <i>Ei Plastic Film Recycling Pilot at FreshPoint ATL</i>, debuted in the ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2014/03/plastic-film-recycling-template-video.html" target="_blank">Plastic Film Recycling Template Video Published</a></i>.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">When the GWCC joined the S-SMRT in spring 2014, the template immediately expanded beyond plastic film to total materials - a HUGE fourth step in template development. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The June Atlanta<a href="http://elementalimpact.org/Ei-Partner-Tours" target="_blank"> Ei Partner Tours</a> were designed as a two-day experiential strategy session for template development. </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">Local end market destinations <a href="http://www.novelis.com/en-us/Pages/Home.aspx" target="_blank">Novelis</a> and <a href="http://www.prattindustries.com/" target="_blank">Pratt Industries</a> hosted the first tours day. Ei Partner Novelis - the </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">world's largest aluminum manufacturer - has an aluminum recycling plant less than 100 miles from Atlanta.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"></span><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t31.0-8/10460827_839913719369715_5242719487753768572_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t31.0-8/10460827_839913719369715_5242719487753768572_o.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ei Partners ready to tour<br />
the Novelis recycling plant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">On the second day tours day Tim welcomed the Ei Partners to the GWCC for a presentation of successes to date, including the 2013 "Greenest" Final Four hosted at the GA Dome, along with a back-of-house tour of recycling practices in-place. Michael Cheyne and Scott Jenkins, <a href="http://newstadium.atlantafalcons.com/" target="_blank">New Falcons Stadium</a> general manager, joined the lunch hosted by NW and gave invigorating updates.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The IMPACT Blog article, <i><a href="http://elementalimpact.blogspot.com/2014/06/atlanta-ei-partner-tours.html" target="_blank">Atlanta Ei Partner Tours</a></i>, chronicles the powerful tours.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Novelis is the <a href="http://www.atlantafalcons.com/" target="_blank">Atlanta Falcons</a> recycling partner and key to S-SMRT success. Brooke Beadle, Novelis senior sustainability manager, shared the frustrations of contamination within material baled from single-stream MRF - material recovery facilities. With their ambitious 80% recycled content goal, Novelis is "hungry" for aluminum that meets their quality standards.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"></span><br /></span></span></span>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/10448614_897738423587244_4539736900791961028_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/10448614_897738423587244_4539736900791961028_o.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The VERY first aluminum<br />
baled at the GWCC</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">With clean material addressed, the volume is achieved through expanding template pioneers to a second tier, followed by additional tiers. Cindy Jackson, </span><a href="http://www.gatech.edu/" style="line-height: 18px;" target="_blank">Georgia Tech</a><span style="line-height: 18px;"> recycling & waste director, attended her second annual meeting and is ready for the template business case. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Ei Partner <a href="http://keteres.com/" target="_blank">Keter Environmental Services</a> holds the waste & recycling contracts for three Class A Atlanta malls. The intent is for the three malls to join the S-SMRT as template pioneers in early 2015.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Invitations to additional template pioneers - all prominent industry leaders - are slated for early 2015.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"></span><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Much of the above copy was intertwined within Holly's Ei Overview presentation and introductions to other presenters.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"></span><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Continuing with the Ei Evolution theme, the <a href="http://www.uszwbc.org/" target="_blank">US Zero Waste Business Council </a>(USZWBC) | Ei partnership evolved over the years into a significant industry force. Holly summarized the evolution in her presentation as follows:</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<li><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>2012</b> - Holly presented on a panel at the inaugural USZWBC conference. The ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2012/06/us-zero-waste-business-council-hosts.html" target="_blank">USZWBC hosts first-rate conference</a></i>, is a conference recap.</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>2013 </b>- Ei orchestrated the first Ei Partner Industry Panel featuring HMSHost Tampa Airport's groundbreaking food donation program. The ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2012/06/us-zero-waste-business-council-hosts.html" target="_blank">Zero Waste is a Team Sport: a powerful USZWBC panel</a></i>, covers the panel while two additional articles cover the plenary sessions: <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2013/05/know-your-trash-up-close-personal.html" target="_blank">Know Your Trash Up-Close & Personal</a></i> and <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2013/05/zero-waste-success-requires-we.html" target="_blank">Zero Waste Requires WE Consciousness</a></i>.</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>2014</b> - Ei named conference media sponsor ... and more! Ei orchestrated the opening plenary panel, <i>Atlanta's Zero Waste Story</i>, and moderated three additional panels. The ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2014/05/uszwbc-conference-theme-zero-waste.html" target="_blank">USZWBC Conference Theme: Zero Waste Evolution</a></i>, is a conference overview while the <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2014/06/atlanta-shines-as-zero-waste-conference.html" target="_blank">Atlanta Shines as Zero Waste Host City</a></i> article is a recap from Ei's perspective.</span></li>
</span></span></span></ul>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/10257025_820258684668552_8386249681119940659_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="117" src="https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/10257025_820258684668552_8386249681119940659_o.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holly, Melissa, Stephanie &<br />
Emily at the 2014 USZWBC </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px;">In her presentation, USZWBC founder & executive director Stephanie Barger gave an impressive synopsis of the USZWBC growth in influence and effective action. Founded in 2012, the USZWBC mission is to create a solid foundation that advances the integrity and credibility of Zero Waste. To support the mission the USZWBC provides tools for business to excel in their Zero Waste policies and practices.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px;">Since launching the </span><a href="http://uszwbc.org/certification/facilities/certification-program" style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px;" target="_blank">Zero Waste Certification Program</a><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px;"> in 2013 three facilities received </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">Platinum level, three Gold level and 10 Bronze level certifications. In addition, over 150 individuals attended <a href="http://uszwbc.org/certification/professionals/zero-waste-business-associate" target="_blank">Zero Waste Business Associate Training Courses</a> hosted at four locations.</span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px;">Stephanie announced the May 2015 USZWBC Conference - </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><i>The Stars of</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><b>Zero Waste</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px;"> - </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px;">hosted by the City of Los Angeles. BIG NEWS: Ei is the 2015 USZWBC Media Partner!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px;">Zero waste success requires team effort among </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">associates</span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px;"> within an organization, the supply chain and third party contractors, such as landlords | tenants, janitorial services and waste | recycling services. For third party contractors legal contract provisions are key to ensuring effective results are achieved.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">As the New Falcons Stadium RFPs are issued zero waste-oriented provisions are standard. According to general manager Scott Jenkins:</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span></span>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Contract language is a key element that sets the appropriate expectations of all parties involved in any zero waste initiative. Zero waste is a team effort that requires every party to be on the same page."</span></i></blockquote>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h7e7lZCNNBI/VHU91ZqW-xI/AAAAAAAACME/1r6Qfi3lmjQ/s1600/11-21-13%2BPauline%2B%26%2BGreg%2B%40%2Breception.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h7e7lZCNNBI/VHU91ZqW-xI/AAAAAAAACME/1r6Qfi3lmjQ/s1600/11-21-13%2BPauline%2B%26%2BGreg%2B%40%2Breception.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ei Board Members<br />
Pauline Reynolds & Greg Chafee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: inherit;">Ei General Counsel Greg Chafee of <a href="http://www.thompsonhine.com/" target="_blank">Thompson Hine</a> gave an excellent presentation on </span><i>Legal Provisions Role in Sustainability Success</i><span style="font-style: inherit;">. Although the current focus is in the Recycling Refinement arena, Greg was clear legal provisions play a vital role throughout the entire sustainability realm.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: inherit;">Via the ATL compostable packaging contract provision discussed earlier, Ei is an established leader in contractual support for industry pioneers.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px;">As he concluded his session, Greg announced an in-process industry paper dedicated to legal provisions role in </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">sustainability success. The ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2014/08/contract-provisions-require-team-work.html" target="_blank">Contract provisions provide necessary team work for zero waste success</a></i>, provides the background for the paper.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://elementalimpact.org/Product_Stewardship" target="_blank">Product Stewardship</a></b></span>: </span></span></span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">integrity throughout the entire value chain</i></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">The Product Stewardship foundation is building within the current Recycling Refinement initiatives. Anticipated first action steps are in late 2015. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">In her Ei overview presentation, Holly noted the following building blocks for future projects:</span></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Engage the power of consumer demand</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Work in partnership with the supply chain</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">"Trash" within the supply chain will be clear once the S-SMRT is activated and replicated</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For the final formal session, Melissa Selem presented on <i>Ei ROCKS! 2014 Achievements, Awards & Milestones</i>. Integral to Ei's Foundation | Evolution year was a plethora of milestones, awards and achievements.</span></div>
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</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-71X0aRE6lhc/VliRAcANeLI/AAAAAAAADA8/gCyUYcJqnZM/s1600/11-09-14%2BGreen%2BRibbon%2BAward%2B-%2BHolly%2Bthanking%2BATL%2B-%2Bcropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="194" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-71X0aRE6lhc/VliRAcANeLI/AAAAAAAADA8/gCyUYcJqnZM/s200/11-09-14%2BGreen%2BRibbon%2BAward%2B-%2BHolly%2Bthanking%2BATL%2B-%2Bcropped.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
Holly on stage receiving the</div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
Green Ribbon Award</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In cyberspace, the combined Ei Blogs - <a href="http://elementalimpact.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The IMPACT</a> & <a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Zero Waste in ACTION</a> - surpassed 225,000 </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">pageviews. The most popular article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2012/02/reduce-first-donate-second-and-compost.html" target="_blank">Reduce First, Donate Second, Compost Third</a></i>, topped 10,000 pageviews - IMPRESSIVE stats!</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> 2014 Ei received national recognition with the </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">February | March publication<a href="http://www.airportmagazine-digital.com/airportmagazine" style="text-decoration: none;"> <i>Airport Magazine</i></a> article </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">AIRBORNE KITCHEN GREASE: A New Frontier in Sustainability, A simple solution saves tremendous water use, labor and dollars </i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">co-authored by Holly & Michael Cheyne. The ZWA article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2014/03/atlanta-airport-presents-proactive.html" target="_blank">Atlanta Airport Presents a Proactive Approach to Airborne Kitchen Grease</a></i>, presents the article publication.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Holly received local and national awards in recognition of Ei's important industry work. At the 2014 USZWBC Conference, Holly was honored with the <i>Zero Heroes 2014 Zero Waste Promoter of the Year</i>. In the fall the <a href="http://www.ldeiatlanta.org/" target="_blank">Atlanta Les Dames d'Escoffier International</a> awarded Holly the <i>Green Ribbon Recipient</i> for work dating back to the Green FoodService Alliance days through current Ei projects.</span></span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/10557013_937553939605692_4909093680594281713_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="159" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/10557013_937553939605692_4909093680594281713_o.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joe Salpietra & Jim Harrell with<br />
one of the large photo prints</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><a href="https://www.lai.org/" target="_blank">Lamba Alpha International</a>, <i>a honorary society for the advancement of land economics</i>, inducted Holly into membership re: <i>in recognition of a successful career in the foodservice industry and your work to develop and implement best practices in the food industry</i>. Wayne King and Kim Charick are accepted for membership from Holly's recent nomination.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">The meeting concluded with an unveiling of the first large prints of Holly's photographs. Each attendee was gifted a small photo print in the home-baked sweet treat bags prepared by Holly.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">In true Ei style, the meeting segued into a lovely wine & cheese reception at the meeting site. Dinner followed at <a href="http://www.portofinobistro.com/" target="_blank">Portofino</a>, a locally owned bistro with superb cuisine.</span></span></div>
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</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SM16KH79wbk/VliReA27nfI/AAAAAAAADBA/q2Ks5oIaA_0/s1600/11-20-14%2BEi%2BPtr%2BMtg%2B-%2BHolly%2B%2526%2BMelissa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="189" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SM16KH79wbk/VliReA27nfI/AAAAAAAADBA/q2Ks5oIaA_0/s200/11-20-14%2BEi%2BPtr%2BMtg%2B-%2BHolly%2B%2526%2BMelissa.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
Holly & Melissa at the meeting</div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
conclusion</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">Dinner was the perfect time to reunite with Melissa Selem, who left her Ei program administrator position in June for new life adventures. THANK YOU Melissa for returning to Ei on a project basis - the meeting flowed with perfection due to your excellent work!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">The Ei FB album, <i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.937553192939100.1073741860.120919654602462&type=1" target="_blank">2014 Ei Annual Meeting</a></i>, is a pictorial recap of the monumental day. PPT presentations are available for download on the <a href="http://elementalimpact.org/meeting-and-events" target="_blank">Ei Meetings & Events</a> page.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">With the Year of Foundations | Evolutions coming to a close, the Ei Team is excited to enter the Year of ACTION! Stay tuned ...</span></span></div>
Holly Elmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320051691727973987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343862423890160222.post-79821592506135315212013-12-01T19:08:00.000-05:002018-11-15T13:49:11.719-05:00Another Year, Another Annual Ei Partner Meeting!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/577552_723206511040437_1004892242_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/577552_723206511040437_1004892242_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary Place (Pratt), Chris Bradlee (BASF)<br />
& Amy Moreland (Heritage) traveled<br />
from out-of-state for the meeting</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">On Thursday, November 21 </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/" target="_blank">Elemental Impact</a> <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/sponsors" target="_blank">Partners</a>, <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/sponsors" target="_blank">Friends</a>, <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/strategic-partners" target="_blank">Strategic Allies</a> and <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/AdvisoryCouncil" target="_blank">Advisory Council </a>Members</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"> traveled from across the nation to attend the Annual Ei Partner Meeting. It was a</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">powerful day filled with education, updates, camaraderie along with great food and wine.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"> Thank you <a href="http://www.hlbgrosscollins.com/" target="_blank">HLB Gross Collins</a> for providing the perfect venue for the meeting and reception.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">With 2013 a transitional year, Ei founder Holly Elmore's "year in review" was filled with important updates ranging from major events to an evolved mission statement to the introduction of three new platforms for living the Ei tagline, <i><b>Sustainability in ACTION</b></i>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">The <a href="http://www.restaurant.org/Home" target="_blank">National Restaurant Association</a>'s <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/Zero-Waste-Zones" target="_blank"> Zero Waste Zones</a> purchase propelled Ei into an amazing met</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">amorphosis </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">filled with opportunity and promise for tremendous impact. For details on the purchase, see the Zero Waste in ACTION Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2012/10/ei-established-program-creator.html" target="_blank">National Restaurant Association Acquires Zero Waste Zones</a></i>.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ei Chair Scott Seydel<br />
filmed the presentations</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After welcomes, thank yous and introductions, Holly presented on Ei's mission statement evolution and expanding initiatives beyond zero waste. The IMPACT Blog article, <i><a href="http://elementalimpact.blogspot.com/2012/12/ei-new-mission-statement-new-directions.html" style="text-decoration: none;">New Mission Statement | New Directions</a></i>, announces the new Ei mission statement:</span></div>
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<em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To work with industry leaders to create best operating practices where the entire value-chain benefits, including corporate bottom lines and the environment. Through education and collaboration, establish the best practices as standard practices.</span></em></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">Within the new mission statement, Ei takes action in the following platforms:</span></span><br />
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/Product_Stewardship" target="_blank">Product Stewardship</a></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/RecyclingRefinement" target="_blank">Recycling Refinement</a></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/Water_Use_Toxicity" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Water Use | Toxicity</a> </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The IMPACT Blog article, <i><a href="http://elementalimpact.blogspot.com/2013/08/ei-emerges-strong-from-metamorphosis.html" target="_blank">Ei Emerges Strong from Metamorphosis</a></i>, is an overview of the new platforms.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/SFCI" target="_blank">Sustainable Food Court Initiative</a> co-chair Doug Kunneman of <a href="http://www.natureworksllc.com/" target="_blank">NatureWorks</a> utilized his podium time to highlight the new <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/whatwedo" target="_blank">What We Do</a> and <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/ei-in-action" target="_blank">Ei in ACTION</a> website sections. Each SFCI Pilot has a dedicated page complete with team members, unique challenges, accomplishments and work-in-progress.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1395120_723206021040486_1615956546_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1395120_723206021040486_1615956546_n.jpg" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anne Blair (SACE), Howard<br />
Connell (GA Tech) & Cindy<br />
Jackson (GA Tech)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Next on the agenda, <a href="http://www.gwcc.com/" target="_blank">Georgia </a></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.gwcc.com/" target="_blank">World Congress Center Authority</a> sustainability director Tim Trefzer </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">presented on the strong Ei working relationship via the GA Dome <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/SFCI_Georgia_Dome_Pilot" target="_blank">SFCI Event Venue Pilot</a>. Tim's PPT was filled with a pictorial recap of recent <a href="http://www.atlantafalcons.com/" target="_blank">Falcons</a> game day recycling tours and post-game food waste | compostable packaging collection for composting destination.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">The ZWA Blog article, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2013/10/winning-recycling-seasons-team-work.html" target="_blank">Winning Recycling Seasons: Team Work Required</a></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">, is an overview of the first Falcons game day recycling tour with the new Falcons Stadium architects. For pictorial recaps, see the Ei FB albums, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.685253444835744.1073741840.120919654602462&type=3" target="_blank">09-15-13 Falcons Game Day Recycling Tour</a></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> and </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.716619665032455.1073741844.120919654602462&type=3" target="_blank">Refining Falcons Recycling Programs</a></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ei Advisory Council Member Wayne King of <a href="http://www.erthproducts.com/dnn/dnn/" target="_blank">ERTH Products</a> gave an impromptu update on the Georgia food waste composting permit regulations status. New rules are scheduled for GA Department of Natural Resources Board review in January.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1482998_723206564373765_2087166348_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1482998_723206564373765_2087166348_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael Cheyne w/ ATL Airport<br />
presenting on Green Acres</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Michael Cheyne, <a href="http://www.atlanta-airport.com/" target="_blank">Hartsfield- Jackson Atlanta International Airport </a>director of asset management & sustainability, gave a synopsis of the proposed Green Acres project along with a recap of the City's Sustainability Goals and Initiatives. Ei applauds Green Acres, a state-of-the-art recycling and educational center on 38 available acres at the busiest airport in the world.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Before breaking for lunch, Suzanne Burnes - <a href="http://www.sustainableatlanta.org/" target="_blank">Sustainable Atlanta</a> executive director - reviewed SA's two main platforms: <a href="http://www.lookupatl.org/" target="_blank">LookUp Atlanta</a> and <a href="http://www.sustainableatlanta.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=280&Itemid=180" target="_blank">EcoDistricts</a>. Ei intends to work closely with SA on Atlanta EcoDistrict development especially those planned for the Atlanta Airport and Downtown, homes to SFCI Pilots.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Immediately following lunch, Atlanta Airport senior sustainability planner Liza Milagro presented on the <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/SFCI_ATL_Airport_Pilot" target="_blank">SFCI - Atlanta Airport</a> status with an emphasis on the Ei | Airport synergies. In addition, Liza gave a preview of the in-progress zero waste plan components. The recent Waste Characterization Study completed under Liza's watchful eye serves as a foundation for planned zero waste action points.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Presentations often spurred spontaneous dialogue among the lively group. Thanks to a question by Cindy Jackson - <a href="http://www.gatech.edu/" target="_blank">GA Institute of Technology</a> waste & recycling director - Mark Lanning of <a href="http://www.orwak.us/" target="_blank">Orwak</a> educated the Ei Partners on the latest technology for consumer compacting recycling | trash receptacles that produces maximum results with minimal energy used.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1462980_723206357707119_86910424_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1462980_723206357707119_86910424_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeremy Kranowitz (Sustainable America)<br />
Stephanie Barger (USZWBC) &<br />
Lorraine White (M-Pass) @ reception</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.uszwbc.org/" target="_blank">U.S. Zero Waste Business Council</a> executive director Stephanie Barger gave an overview of the organization's mission along with their <a href="http://www.uszwbc.org/certification" target="_blank">Zero Waste Certification</a> program. Exciting news from the <a href="http://uszwbc.org/news/13-uszwbc/certification/129-uszwbc-1stplatinum-sierranevada" target="_blank">USZWBC November 15 press conference</a>:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">The U.S. Zero Waste Business Council (USZWBC) announced today that it's awarding </span><a href="http://www.sierranevada.com/brewery/about-us/sustainability" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.</a><span style="background-color: white;"> with the platinum certification plaque for its achievement in successfully diverting 99.8 percent of its waste from landfill, incineration and the environment. This is the first platinum certification that the USZWBC has given and the highest level possible.</span></i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">T</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">he remaining afternoon sessions were dedicated to Ei's three new platforms: Product Stewardship, Recycling Refinement and Water Use | Toxicity. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">In May 2013 Ei introduced the Water Use | Toxicity platform with the ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2013/05/zero-water-waste-more-than-goal.html" target="_blank">Zero WATER Waste; more than a goal, a necessity</a></i>. Over the summer, <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/GREASE" target="_blank">GREASE</a> - <b>G</b>rease, <b>R</b>ecycling & <b>E</b>nergy <b>A</b>lternative <b>S</b>olutions for the <b>E</b>nvironments - was reactivated to address the three kitchen-generated grease types: </span></span><br />
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<li><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/Spent_Grease" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Spent Grease</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> - used grease from fryers, often referred to as yellow grease</span></li>
<li><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/FOG" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">F.O.G.</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> - Fats, Oils & Grease - grease collected from grease traps, often referred to as brown grease</span></li>
<li><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/Airborne_Kitchen_Grease" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Airborne Kitchen Grease</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> - grease accumulated in the exhaust system from kitchen operations</span></li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l0FBJhEvAlU/UpvCmze0VhI/AAAAAAAAB9A/l3uQQEMCo-4/s1600/11-21-13+Joe+S+@+dinner,+SOS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l0FBJhEvAlU/UpvCmze0VhI/AAAAAAAAB9A/l3uQQEMCo-4/s200/11-21-13+Joe+S+@+dinner,+SOS.jpg" width="130" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joe Salpietra @ dinner<br />
photo courtesy Scott Seydel</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The ZWA Blog article, </span><i style="line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://spent%20grease%20-%20used%20grease%20from%20fryers%2C%20often%20referred%20to%20as%20yellow%20grease%20f.o.g.%20-%20fats%2C%20oils%20%26%20grease%20-%20grease%20collected%20from%20grease%20traps%2C%20often%20referred%20to%20as%20brown%20grease%20airborne%20kitchen%20grease%20-%20grease%20accumulated%20in%20the%20exhaust%20system%20from%20kitchen%20operations/" target="_blank">GREASE: Activating the Zero Waste Evolution</a></i><span style="line-height: 18px;">, expands zero waste parameters beyond "wasted material" to resources in general. For an introduction to </span></span>current airborne kitchen grease scenario and how the <a href="http://www.greaselock.com/" target="_blank">Grease Lock Filters</a> save water, toxic chemical use, labor and dollars, visit the <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2013/08/grease-new-frontier-filled-with.html">GREASE: a new frontier filled with economic and environmental promise</a> </i>ZWA Blog article.</span><br />
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<a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1556494298&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/jsalpietra?directed_target_id=0" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black;">Joe</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> Salpietra of <a href="http://www.ellisfibre.co.nz/" target="_blank">Ellis Fibre</a>, manufacturer of GLF, gave a system overview along with the in-process steps for the Atlanta Airport to consider a campus-wide GLF system installation. The potential water, cleaning agent use, labor and cost savings are tremendous.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i style="line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2013/10/recycling-refinement-moving-beyond.html" target="_blank">Recycling Refinement: moving beyond landfill diversion</a></i><span style="line-height: 18px;"> was introduced in an October ZWA Blog article with the same title. Holly explained how <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/RecyclingIntegrity" target="_blank">Recycling Integrity</a> - <i>maintaining maximum material with minimal energy expended </i>- is the foundation for Recycling Refinement. </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">The ZWA Blog article, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2013/08/source-separation-key-to-maximum.html" target="_blank">Source-Separation Key to Maximum Recycling PROFITS</a></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">, substantiates how strong on-site recycling programs improve the bottom line.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holly presenting on the plastic film<br />
recycling template.<br />
photo courtesy of Louis Herrera</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">During the Recycling Refinement session, Holly announced the City-Wide Plastic Film Recycling Template Pilot in Atlanta. For details on the pilot team, game plan and challenges, visit the ZWA Blog article,</span></span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2013/09/if-it-was-easy-it-would-already-be-done.html" target="_blank"> If it was easy, it would already be done!</a></i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">, </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">A wide range of plastic film generators - event facilities, distribution companies, hotels, airports, universities and shopping malls to name a few - who produce a variety of film types and colors are earmarked as pilot participants. Mark Daniels and Louis Herrera of <a href="http://www.hilexpoly.com/" target="_blank">Hilex Poly </a>gave an impromptu education on plastic film types and their various uses in plastic film recycling systems.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Under Product Stewardship - <i>integrity throughout the entire product life-cycle</i>, an alternative coating for paraffin-based waxed corrugated boxes initiative </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">is in the development stages. Foodservice industry </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">protein and produce transport boxes are the initiative focal point.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ei Treasurer Pauline Reynolds with<br />
Ei General Counsel Greg Chafee<br />
@ reception</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Ei Advisory Council member Chuck Klass takes the helm as the technical expert. Ei Partners | Supporters <a href="http://www.hmshost.com/" target="_blank">HMSHost</a>, <a href="http://www.tedsmontanagrill.com/" target="_blank">Ted's Montana Grill,</a> <a href="http://www.piazzaproduce.com/" target="_blank">Piazza Produce</a> and <a href="http://www.seydel.com/about/the-companies/chemol-company/" target="_blank">Chemol</a> are charter team members. The ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2012/05/waxed-cardboard-boxes-landfill-destiny.html" target="_blank">Waxed Cardboard Boxes = Landfill Destiny = $$ Lost</a></i>, lays the foundation for the emerging initiative. In addition to the environmental impact, the bottom line impact of transport packaging choices is a strong educational point.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">In time for the annual gathering, the ZWA Blog topped the 125,000 pageviews milestone within hours of meeting registration!!! Ei's strong cyberspace presence is an Ei Partner benefit.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Annual Ei Partner Meeting PPT presentations, attendee list and agenda are available for download on the <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/meeting-and-events" target="_blank">Ei Meetings & Events</a> page. For a pictorial recap of the powerful meeting and related dinners, visit the Ei FB album, <i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.723205864373835.1073741845.120919654602462&type=3" target="_blank">11-21-13 Annual Ei Partner Meeting</a></i>.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holly & Melissa celebrate<br />
a successful day @ dinner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">In alignment with Ei protocol, the partners were treated to great food throughout the day with home baked sweet treats and desserts provided by Holly. The day ended with a wine & cheese reception followed by dinner at an excellent local restaurant.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">Success was the theme for the meeting! Kudos to Ei Program Administrator </span><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=589350505&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/melissa.selem?directed_target_id=0" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Melissa Selem</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"> for orchestrating the well-run, fast-paced meeting.</span></span>Holly Elmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320051691727973987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343862423890160222.post-83807942381351765662011-11-20T16:31:00.004-05:002018-11-25T16:27:43.827-05:002011: An Amazing Year for Ei<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What a phenomenal year! For <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/">Elemental Impact</a> 2011 was filled with national speaking engagements, new partnerships, major ACTION and much more. On November 16, Ei <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/sponsors">Sponsors</a> and <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/AdvisoryCouncil">Advisory Council</a> members traveled from around the country for the powerful annual meeting at <a href="http://www.hlbgrosscollins.com/">HLB Gross Collins</a>' offices.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WWslMEWGQyE/TsluqkrdwYI/AAAAAAAAAtM/MreuLv1oWHU/s1600/11-16-11+Scott%252C+HDE+%2526+Chris+with+SFCI+Award.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WWslMEWGQyE/TsluqkrdwYI/AAAAAAAAAtM/MreuLv1oWHU/s200/11-16-11+Scott%252C+HDE+%2526+Chris+with+SFCI+Award.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Scott, Holly& Chris with the<br />
2011 Going Green Airport Award</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After introductions and the 2011 overview,<a href="http://www.zerowastezones.org/"> Zero Waste Zones</a> Director Susan Montgomery gave a ZWZ update including the detailed program documentation. Susan passed around a book filled with recruiting documents from the <a href="http://www.zerowastezones.org/ZWZAmbassadorProgram">ZWZ Ambassador</a> program, training PPT presentation and the packet used in national expansion meetings. Additionally, the ZWZ information was moved from the Ei website into its own website mid year.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The "packaging" of the ZWZ was a perfect segue for <a href="http://www.restaurant.org/aboutus/speakers/bios/?id=17">Chris Moyer</a>, <a href="http://conserve.restaurant.org/">National Restaurant Association ConSERVE</a> Project Director, to present on the ZWZ evolution into Sustainable Action Zones, a <a href="http://www.restaurant.org/">NRA</a> program in partnership with Ei. Chris spoke on the powerful synergies inherent within the NRA | Ei partnership and how it brings forth important collaborations. One such collaboration is with the<a href="http://compostingcouncil.org/"> U.S. Composting Council</a>.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NrJn5mc8QEg/TslumGHo_5I/AAAAAAAAAs8/4yo7mL-UZzg/s1600/11-16-11+Chris+speaking+with+full-rm+shot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NrJn5mc8QEg/TslumGHo_5I/AAAAAAAAAs8/4yo7mL-UZzg/s200/11-16-11+Chris+speaking+with+full-rm+shot.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris Moyer presenting to full room</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wayne King, USCC Past President, spoke about the upcoming December 12 meeting at the NRA offices. With only approximately 350 permitted composting sites nationwide, the NRA's political voice is critical. For many of the current permitting challenges to resolve, regulators must hear the major </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">post-consumer organics</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> generators are demanding an </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">alternative</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> destination to landfills. The industry is on the cusp of making an </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">evolutionary</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> leap and the NRA, in collaboration with the USCC, has a vital role to play.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The USCC | NRA collaboration was an excellent preface for Scott Seydel, Ei Chair & <a href="http://www.globalgreen.org/">Global Green </a>Chair, to discuss <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/POWER">POWER</a> - Perishable Organics Waste to Energy Recycling - status. In addition, to his impressive PPT on the planned POWER website, Scott spoke of POWER's important role and how it served as an incubator for GREASE - Grease Recycling Energy Alternatives Solutions for the Environment and the <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/SFCI">Sustainable Food Court Initiative</a>.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S5XzTWKFjn4/TsluoR5p-lI/AAAAAAAAAtE/wKMz2Ad5tT0/s1600/11-16-11+Linda+Dunn+presenting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="124" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S5XzTWKFjn4/TsluoR5p-lI/AAAAAAAAAtE/wKMz2Ad5tT0/s200/11-16-11+Linda+Dunn+presenting.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linda Dunn</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ei Founder Holly Elmore gave the SFCI overview including the <a href="http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs035/1102463494613/archive/1108299568589.html">2011 Going Green Airport Award</a> for the <a href="http://www.atlanta-airport.com/">Atlanta Airport</a> pilot (see the ZWZ Blog post, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2011/10/atlanta-airport-sfci-pilot-wins.html">Atlanta Airport SFCI Pilot Wins National Award</a>,</i> for details). </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Linda Dunn, </span><a href="http://www.hmshost.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">HMSHost </a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">VP Supply Chain & Analysis, followed with the important role HMSHost plays in the SFCI Projects, including work at the Tampa & Charlotte Airports. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How empowering to listen as Linda explains the SFCI | ZWZ (and NRA | Ei) collaboration is integral to HMSHost's sustainability commitment and game plan.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the mid afternoon break, Susan Montgomery presented the Ei Business Projections followed by Sylvia Gort, Ei AC member, leading the strategy session. Future action paths on Toxic-Free Environments and Health Impact were discussed along with the important role social media can play in communicating Ei's important ACTION.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5wpgz40vh3U/TslutlKbsWI/AAAAAAAAAtU/IXIfI_pDTVs/s1600/11-16-11+Sylvia+Gort+%2526+Greg+Chafee.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5wpgz40vh3U/TslutlKbsWI/AAAAAAAAAtU/IXIfI_pDTVs/s200/11-16-11+Sylvia+Gort+%2526+Greg+Chafee.JPG" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ei AC Members Sylvia Gort &<br />
Greg Chafee @ reception</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As always, Ei meetings begin with a wonderful lunch and end with a wine reception. Thank you <a href="http://www.boldamerican.com/">Bold American Catering </a>for your Ei sponsorship and providing excellent food & service.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Ei FB album, <i><a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.310008285693597.94543.120919654602462&type=3">11-16-11 Ei Sponsor & AC Meeting</a></i>, gives a meeting pictorial overview. Meeting PPT presentations will be loaded on the <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/EiSpeakingEngagements">Ei Speaking Engagements page</a>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you to those who contribute their resources, financial, time and expertise, to Elemental Impact - you are the reason for Ei program success. Our important work is educating the corporate community that sustainable operating practices make solid business sense. These are thrilling times - stay tuned!</span>Holly Elmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320051691727973987noreply@blogger.com0