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Workshops |
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EcoStar Services |
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Have additional bulky waste items to get rid of? Check out the new Devens Drop-off Center! This site allows Devens residents, businesses and employees to dispose of a wide variety of items in a timely manner and at a low cost |
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EcoStar hosts 10 monthly workshops per year that are open to members and the public. The sessions are free for members and others are asked to pay a nominal registration fee. Topics vary and cover a broad range of sustainability issues. Workshops are led by experts in the field and attendees are encouraged to exchange information with others to enhance the learning experience. Participants gain knowledge, tools, and reference resources that they can apply in their organization to help it meet its economic and environmental performance goals. These trainings also provide a valuable networking opportunity. If your organization is not yet a member, plan to attend the next workshop to learn what EcoStar has to offer! |
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Lean and Clean Manufacturing Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) representatives facilitated this special half day workshop that enabled attendees to learn how to improve the efficiency of their operations as well as reduce their ecological footprint. Mock production lines in a clock manufacturing company provided a setting to demonstrate how small changes in operational and organizational processes can yield more efficient outcomes. Exercises addressed inventory maintenance, material flow, floor layout, and other key components of an operation. EPA NE, who helped organize the event, provided CDs with a “Lean and the Environment” toolkit and training modules for additional self-paced training and MEP distributed information on how to schedule onsite evaluations and trainings. |
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Responding to Climate Change Concerns Students from the Francis W. Parker Charter School in Devens were inspirational presenters for this challenging topic. They began with an overview of how our daily activities are affecting the earth’s climate and what “business as usual” could mean for our future. Then they switched gears to highlight steps that businesses and individuals can take to decrease their carbon footprint. These actions required little or no cost and in many cases would result in cost savings. One student used an on-line carbon calculator to demonstrate how emissions would be decreased by changing a light bulb and lowering the thermostat. Another shared examples of how much pollution could be avoided by driving less and eliminating unnecessary idling. When attendees shared what changes they were going to make as a result of what they had learned, the students responded with “You guys rock!” What more inspiration do you need?
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PAST WORKSHOPS |
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Energy Efficiency: A Real Turn On! Alan Mulak, who has more than 30 years of experience in the field of energy conservation and engineering, reviewed the fundamentals of energy efficiency, the value of bench-marking building performance, and how to improve a facility’s energy efficiency. Mulak referred to project examples to demonstrate the typical cost-savings and quick pay-back period associated with upgrades and investments. Participants learned about motion and heat sensors, LED exit signs, variable speed motors, infrared heat, and energy management systems. Paul Mallet, president of Northern Energy, also contributed to the session by reviewing various lighting technologies, their most appropriate uses, and related efficiency gains. All of the products highlighted can lower utility bills, improve operating conditions, and decrease the pollution associated with energy production! |
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Recycling is in! Employees of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) led this session, which focused on the state’s waste bans and the key components of an effective recycling program. A representative from one of EcoStar’s member businesses, Jeff Schwarz from Image Software Services, Inc., shared how their recycling program cut the company’s waste management costs in half. Participants also learned about the newly launched EcoStar Exchange website where members can post re-usable items and materials that other businesses may have a purpose for. This tool provides a forum for members to keep re-usable items out of the waste stream and save money. The site can also be used to organize joint purchasing and training initiatives, so businesses can acquire products and services at a group rate, resulting in cost-savings and reduced deliveries. |
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*Recycle—Reuse—Save! - September 2007 This workshop focused on waste reduction strategies to promote efficiency, decrease disposal costs, and keep materials out of the landfill. This session highlighted alternative methods to manage waste streams, including the EcoStar Exchange; NEW services available at the Devens DPW to recycle electronics, metals, bulky items, Styrofoam, and more. Members were given the opportunity to obtain 2 FREE 96-gallon totes— helping to eliminate current rental fees and strengthen recycling efforts to collect paper, bottles and cans. After the session, members took a tour of the new Devens Recycling Center. This construction and demolition waste recycling facility can handle up to 1,500 tons of asphalt, brick, concrete, wood, etc., per day and is the largest facility of its kind in the U.S. |
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*Click here to view a PDF file of a portion of this slide presentation |
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The Great Exchange! |