In Business, Creating Sustainable Enterprises & Communities

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS

In Business, January/February, 2004, Vol. 26, No. 1, p. 8

MARKETING COFFEE GROUNDS
The newest horticultural product marketed by New England Organics, reports John Kelly, is coffee grounds produced in Portland, Maine by X Cafe. “After quite a bit of analyses and field trials, we are selling it in bulk. Annual production is about 2,000 cy.” Uses include turf topdressing, soil amendment,

ornamental (and aromatic) mulch, as well as an ingredient in container mixes. “We coined the name - Gardeners Choice; a close second was Nutri-Joe,” adds Kelly whose e-mail is John.Kelly@casella.com.

BIODIESEL INVESTMENTS
A joint research agreement was announced by two giant companies - Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) and Volkswagen AG - designed to develop biodiesel fuels. The announcement was made last month at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. “Biodiesel is one of the most promising renewable fuels on the horizon,” declared Allen Andreas, chairman of ADM. “This agreement clearly demonstrates the shared commitment of both our companies to developing environmentally friendly, next generation alternative fuels.”
“A lot of research has been done and will have to be done,” pointed out Bernd Pischetsrieder, chairman of Volkswagen. “We will work together with the goal of reducing energy consumption and pollution, and possibly even creating a good business for the two of us.” Work on the project is scheduled to begin in Germany.

LOCAL FARMERS MAKE CAFETERIA CONNECTIONS
Selling directly to schools, corporate cafeterias and institutional feeding programs is providing a much-needed source of revenue for small farmers across the country. In the process, school students, hospital patients, and nursing home residents are getting unprecedented access to fresh, locally grown foods. “Farm-to-Cafeteria Connections” is an excellent guide for people interested in this direct marketing opportunity. Recently published by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA), the 87-page handbook is designed for farmers, food service professionals and community members looking for ways to support local farms by creating farm-to-cafeteria programs in schools, colleges, hospitals, and other institutions.
Although written specifically for Washington state, the manual is of value nationwide. “Farm-to-Cafeteria Connections” outlines a variety of approaches to linking farms with cafeterias and institutions, followed by detailed case studies on seven projects in the states of Washington, Iowa and Wisconsin. Separate sections detail considerations for starting farm-to-cafeteria programs from the perspectives of farmers, food service professionals, and local community organizers. Also included are extensive references to organizations, websites and publications. “Farm-to-cafeteria programs take many approaches, depending on the individuals who create them,” says Kelli Sanger, who wrote the guide with Leslie Zenz. “They can showcase fresh apples and salad greens in a daily salad bar or highlight locally-grown food at a one-time harvest meal or special event.” Both Sanger and Zenz work with f the WSDA Small Farm and Direct Marketing Program.
One example highlighted in the manual is Lincoln Elementary School in Olympia, Washington, where a parent proposed the idea of an Organic Choices Program for school lunches. In its first year the program, which features a salad bar with fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads and protein such as eggs, beans and cottage cheese, increased fruit and vegetable servings taken by students and staff by 27 percent. The program was so successful that it has been adopted by 11 elementary schools in the Olympia School District and received national recognition last October from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “Farm-to-Cafeteria Connections” is available online via: www.agr.wa.gov/Marketing/SmallFarm/farmto cafeteria.htm. For resource information on national farm to school programs visit the website for the Community Food Security Coalition: www.foodsecurity.org.

RECYCLED WOOD FIBER AS SIDING
After eight years of research, Boise Cascade Corporation is ready to market a new siding made with 100 percent reprocessed wood waste and recycled plastic film. Called “HomePlate,” the siding which looks like natural cedar will first be sold at lumberyards in western states. The first full-scale manufacturing plant is near Olympia, Washington. When in full production, this initial facility will require 300 million pounds of recycled wood and plastics per year. Manufacturing process encapsulates wood fibers in recycled polymers with high heat and pressure.

MULCH FROM RECYCLED TRUCK TIRES
In the past two years, Rubberific Mulch has recycled more than 750,000 old truck tires - about 10 million pounds of used tread - into textured mulch for yards, playgrounds, etc. Launched by the Miller family in St. Louis, Missouri, parents Mike and Cindy oversee operations, while sons Tim and Tom handle the marketing and business sides. “People invest in who we are, and they believe in our product,” explains Mike Miller. “We are trying to build a family business, and that's our corporate strategy.” For more information, visit www.rubberificmulch.com.

GREEN REMODELING GUIDES ON THE WEB
Seattle, Washington's Sustainable Building Program has created a series of guides certain to entice residents to think “green” when it comes to remodeling their homes. Noting that Americans spent $173 billion on remodeling in 2002, the Green Home Remodel guides encourage people to consider this the perfect opportunity to increase the environmental performance of their homes. The colorful guides, all of which are available on the Web, include a general overview of green remodeling plus detailed booklets on specific projects, including Kitchen, Bath & Laundry, and Roofing. Future publications will focus on Paints & Finishes, Landscape Materials, and Hiring a Professional. Resource lists are included with each guide.
Printed copies are being made available free of charge to Seattle residents through green building retailers and real estate offices. Plans are also in the works to utilize the booklets in a series of classes to be offered at community centers. For nonresidents, the Green Home Remodel guides are on the Seattle's Sustainable Building website: www.seattle.gov/sustainablebuilding/greenhome.htm.

SETTING STANDARDS FOR BIOBASED PRODUCTS
One of the goals of the newly-created Biobased Manufacturers Association (BMA) is to establish industry standards for biobased products. Other goals are to “provide a networking venue, certify compliance and license a certified seal.” According to Kim Kristoff, who is serving as BMA chairman, there is now a mandate “for federal government agencies, such as the USDA and Defense Department to procure biobased products as long as they are price competitive and qualitatively equal to petroleum-based products.” For details about membership, write the Biobased Manufacturers Association, 11701 Borman Drive, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63146. (314) 372-3562, or visit: www.biobased.com.

NEW JERSEY SHERATON HOTEL INSTALLS FUEL CELL FOR POWER
A clean, reliable fuel cell energy system has been installed at the Sheraton Hotel in Edison, New Jersey, providing 25 percent of the electricity and hot water. PPL Corporation will own and operate the system, which was manufactured by Fuel Cell Energy of Danbury, Connecticut. Fuel cells generate electricity with no combustion - acting like large, continuously operating batteries that generate electricity as long as fuel, such as natural gas, is supplied. Since fuel is not burned, there is no pollution from combustion. The Sheraton Hotel is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Says John Lembo, director of Energy for Starwood: “Having been the recipient of the Energy Star Partner of the Year Award, Starwood Hotels will continue to implement environmentally safe practices that save energy. We feel that energy fuel cell technology will play an important role in reducing harmful emissions and reduce the hotels' overall energy costs.”