Ei Sponsor Program Evolves to Partner Program

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

Ei Partners working together on
a plastic film recycling program

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


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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy, Happy Birthday Ei

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


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


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

Ei Team - Elisabeth, Holly,
Susan & Scott

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


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


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

Ei Board Members Sylvia & Greg

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


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

Ei Team Expands, Evolves

Heading into our third year committed to Sustainability in Action, Elemental Impact is embarking on an era where prior planning sets the stage for ACTION.  The ZWZ Blog posts, 2011 Planning = 2012 ACTION, and Atlanta Airport SFCI Pilot ACTION, give an overview of the necessary steps accomplished for projects to move into action phases.

Elisabeth Marchal

To ground our important work with strong organizational skills, Elisabeth Marchal joins the Ei Team as Administrator. Elisabeth brings depth in computer, technical and administrative skills garnered during her 20+ year tenure with The Seydel Companies.  It is an honor to welcome Elisabeth to th Ei Team as a valuable contributor to our important work.


Working closely with the Ei Communication Committee championed by CleanRiver, Elisabeth is overhauling the Ei website to chronicle projects, programs and pilots in a concise, clean and easy-to-follow format.  Announcements are scheduled once the overhaul is complete.


With the National Restaurant Association taking a leadership role in the Zero Waste Zones program in 2012, Susan Montgomery expands her Ei role from ZWZ Program Director to overall Ei Program Director.  A Certified Project Management Professional, Susan uses her excellent skills, garnered while obtaining her MBA and in corporate employment, to organize and move action forward  in an effective manner.  Susan is the perfect complement to Ei founder Holly Elmore's entrepreneurial fire.

Ei Team - Elisabeth, Holly,
Susan & Scott

Ei Chair Scott Seydel is integral to Ei's success with his active participation in programs.  Always available to share his wisdom, Scott plays a key role in Ei's commitment to ACTION.  Thank you Scott - the team honors and appreciates you!  

EcoManor - Perfect Venue for WNSF Luncheon

Karen, Lisa & Laura
photo courtesy of Trio Media Group

Zero Waste Zones Chair Laura Turner Seydel hosted the Women's Network for a Sustainable Future - Atlanta Chapter luncheon meeting at her Gold LEED certified home, the EcoManor.  Prior to the program, the at-capacity crowd enjoyed social time and a wonderful lunch catered by ZWZ Participant Radial Cafe.  


A wide range of impressive female leaders in sustainability made the WSNF luncheon a schedule priority.  From top corporate executives including Susan Bell, Ernst & Young's Atlanta Office Managing Partner, and Letty Ashworth, Delta's General Manager of Global Diversity, to impressive graduate students to entrepreneurial pioneers building amazing businesses including Doria Roberts and Calavino Donali, owners of Urban Cannibals Bodega & Bites.  In the post program open dialogues, the group diversity magnified the power of women taking leadership roles in sustainability.

Susan, Leesa Carter, Laura & Karen

Lisa Spiro, WNSF President & Oxygen Capital President, traveled from Manhattan to give opening remarks for the inspiring program. After Lisa's remarks and introductions, Karen Flanders, WNSF Board Member, facilitated a relaxed program by asking Laura a series of pertinent questions.  For those out of generation sync with Captain Planet, it was wonderful to learn about Captain Planet's creation and evolution into the tremendous impact made by the Captain Planet Foundation.  With Karen's guiding questions, Laura shared the weave of her sustainability commitment, influence and action, rooted in the culture of her upbringing.


As a committed program chair, Laura asked Holly Elmore, ZWZ Director & Elemental Impact founder, to give a snapshot of the impressive recent activity at the Atlanta Airport, the first Sustainable Food Court Initiative Pilot.  Thank you Laura!  

Letty Ashworth speaking
photo courtesy of Trio Media Group

The final portion of the program was opened up for sharing by the group.  With the relaxed, yet professional meeting tone, the crowd was eager to ask questions and tell their experiences.  At Laura's urging, Letty told the story of how one of Delta's recycling programs provided funding for projects based in social responsibility teamed with Habitat for Humanity.  It was inspiring to witness young women speaking, possibly their first time to a crowd, about action instigated by following their heart's passion.


Meeting success was evidence of the vital role WNSF plays in recognizing and nurturing the powerful role woman play in our sustainable future.  The diversity of accomplished leaders, along with those beginning their professional explorations, exemplifies the WNSF strength and importance.     

New Sponsor | New Ei Focus

The close of 2011 brings a hearty welcome to Brooklyn-based EcoLogic Solutions as an Elemental Impact sponsor.  ELS manufactures and distributes environmentally preferable institutional cleaning products with the following mission:

to bring the safest, most effective and cost competitive cleaning products and solutions to institutions.  We recognize that everyday chemicals are not only dangerous for the user, but also are exceedingly toxic to the environment.

Founded in 2005, ELS is emerging as an industry leader in educating corporations about the importance of shifting their cleaning practices to sustainable methods and products. Foodservice operators are one of ELS' primary client bases and they exhibited at the 2011 National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago.

Anselm in a Scott Seydel sandwich -
Scott Seydel  on the left and
Scotto Seydel on the right

In a short period, ELS has garnered an impressive and happy client base ranging from Whole Foods to NBCUniversal to the Statue of Liberty.  "We have found ELS' green product lines, service and training to be the best quality in the marketplace"  says Jerry Gonzales, Director of Food Service Operations, Statue of Liberty.  The ELS News Page includes a list of prominent press coverage.

With his boundless energy and in-depth expertise, ELS President & CEO Anselm Doering is taking a leadership role in Ei's Toxic-Free Environment focus slated to begin in early 2012.  In the Green Foodservice Alliance days, a Cleaning & Pest Control Committee met for about six months laying the groundwork to move into the toxic-free arena.  Several Charter Zero Waste Zones Participants have agreed to serve as pioneers in addressing the toxins inherent within their standard operating practices.


Stay tuned for future blog posts announcing the focus launch and action points.

Kids Nutrition Takes Center Stage

The National Restaurant Association teamed with the American Culinary Federation for a survey of nearly 1,800 chefs to understand What's Hot in 2012 when chefs' plan their menus.  From a food standpoint, kids nutrition took center stage with local, sustainable products in a strong supporting role.  In addition to nutrition, chefs intend to develop more kid friendly portion plates of adult menu items.

“The top menu trends we’re seeing in our What’s Hot in 2012 survey reflect the macro-trends we have seen grow over the last several years. Nutrition – especially when it comes to children – is becoming a major focus for the nation’s nearly one million restaurants, in tune with consumers’ increasing interest in healthful eating.” 
— Joy Dubost, Ph.D, R.D., director of Nutrition & Healthy Living for the National Restaurant Association

Here are the top ten 2012 menu trends according to the survey:
1. Locally sourced meats and seafood
2. Locally grown produce
3. Healthful kids’ meals
4. Hyper-local items
5. Sustainability as a culinary theme
6. Children’s nutrition as a culinary theme
7. Gluten-free/food allergy-conscious items
8. Locally produced wine and beer
9. Sustainable seafood
10. Whole grain items in kids’ meals 

Ahead of the curve, the NRA launched the Kids LiveWell program earlier this year to much fanfare.  See the IMPACT Blog post, NRA Takes the Lead with Health Impact, gives the details of the Kids LiveWell launch.  According to Dawn Sweeney, NRA CEO:

Children’s nutrition is one of the strongest trends we’re seeing in the restaurant industry right now. The success of our new Kids LiveWell program demonstrates that the industry is on the right track when it comes to highlighting nutritious options on menus nationwide.

To further support kids nutrition, the Healthier Kids Fare Pavilion debuts at the NRA 2012 Show May 5 - 8. The Pavilion will feature food and beverage manufacturers showcasing nutritious items for kids, including products with limited fats, sugars and sodium, and items that provide essential nutrients.  For more information, see the NRA press release, Healthier Kids Fare Pavilion to Debut at NRA Show 2012.

Sign @ an Atlanta
McDonald's drive through

Restaurants across the board, ranging from quick service to fine dining, understand the importance of serving children healthy food.  More than a trend, the chefs take seriously the impact food they prepare has on the consumer and are at the forefront of ensuring food consumed away from home is nutritious, healthy and, of course, delicious!


Listed as the fourth top trend, hyper-local items may be synonymous with the Zero Waste Zones' closing the loop with on-site chef gardens.  The ZWZ Blog post, Chef Gardens - a Tasty  Way to Close the Loop, spawned a CNN story for Cheff Micah Willix on his amazing rooftop gardens @ Ecco. Thanks to Micah's ingenuity the gardens are irrigated by condensate water from the restaurant's air conditioning system.  See the ZWZ Blog post, Yippee - Chef Micah is World Famous!, for details and link to the video.


The importance of nutrition and health impact is common ground for Elemental Impact and the NRA.  Stay tuned for many developments on the NRA's support for the nation's second largest industry to aid our civilization in creating a healthier lifestyle, one bite at a time.

Every Life Matters

At times it seems Angels come to the Earth and make a statement that propels rippling change throughout humanity.  Tim Wilson may well be one of those Angels.  On December 10, 2010 Tim died tragically underneath a bridge in the affluent Buckhead Community where the Georgia Governor calls home.  During the night the temperatures dipped into the 20's and Tim froze to death.

Laura's quilt honoring
Tim Wilson

Laura Martin, a local artist & business woman who founded Ties That Matter, felt the magnitude of Tim's death.  A woman of action, Laura created a memorial quilt for Tim while she dealt with the complexity of emotions surrounding his death.  From the quilt and her community connections, Every Life Matters was launched in October, 2011. Listen to Laura's voice of ELM's foundation via her blog post, Homelessness - a call to action.

The immediate ELM focus is collection of blankets to keep tragedy at bay and a base level of comfort for those unable to secure one of the limited available spots in area shelters.  


First Call to ACTION: scour your home for unused (or rarely used) blankets, clean and donate them to one of the many receiving facilities around the city.  For drop-off locations, visit the ELM Donate a Blanket page.


Blankets are the beginning.  In Laura's words:  This campaign has no end. We’ll just keep at it until a bridge is no longer “home” for anyone and until every man, woman and child in our city has enough of a support system to weather the bad times, no matter how bad they get. And, when we’re done in Atlanta, we’ll move on to other communities.

Second Call to Action:  Sign the ELM pledge - a book with the signatures will be presented to Atlanta Mayor Reed.  The pledge is simple and powerful:

I pledge to see the men, women and children whoare homeless in my city as fellow citizens, worthyof kindness and consideration.

I promise to support those who offer care,

resources and real change that help our neighborsfind food, shelter, employment and a return tostability.

I add my name to others who believe that every life matters.


To sign the pledge, go the ELM Pledge page.

On the ELM website sidebar is a Mother Teresa quote that brings home the magnitude of poverty and how it extends will beyond physical survival into emotional realms.  From Mother Teresa:

"We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty."

This post is a foundation for future blog posts on matters close to my heart.  For those who follow the ZWZ Blog and IMPACT Blog, I rarely write in first person.  Many of these posts will be written in first person as they are from the canyons of my heart where I understand the monumental importance of immediate action for our impoverished brothers and sisters.


As Laura, I live in Buckhead and know many beautiful individuals who live within the streets by their first names.  One of my missions is to bring Dignity back into their lives along with survival needs.  There are so many simple, caring acts we may do - an easy one is eye contact with a friendly "Hello"  More to come in future posts.


See the IMPACT Blog post, Ties That Matter, for details on Laura's organization that trains refugees to make gorgeous products from donated ties.


Please join me in congratulating Laura for her fortitude and taking ACTION with practical, immediate results.  It is the power of individuals like Laura that will crest humanity into a dimension where love, dignity and abundance are the foundation.  We may only arrive by actions of the Heart driven by Love.