Dell has expanded its U.S. Reconnect recycling partnership with Goodwill Industries to six additional states, including Arkansas, Iowa, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon and Vermont and make it as green steps.

That means more than 1,000 Goodwill retail stores are now participating nationwide.

All you have to do is drop off any brand of used equipment at a participating Goodwill donation center in your area. Click here for locations.

These green steps are free. Plus, you’ll get a receipt for tax purposes.
“Today we’re making it even easier for environmentally-conscious customers to do the right thing,” says Mike Watson, senior manager of Dell Global Recycling Services. “Every technology provider has a responsibility to provide free, easy and responsible recycling to consumers worldwide. We hope 2009 is the year that brings the industry together around this shared principle.”

The Seattle-based Foss Maritime Company unveiled the world’s first true hybrid tug at a ceremony in Long Beach, California, a few weeks ago.

The Foss Green Assist (TM) Hybrid Tug, named Carolyn Dorothy, is expected to significantly reduce emissions compared with the operating duty cycle of conventional tugs as her company’s green steps. The Green Assist Hybrid Tug emits less nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon, and particulates, and exceeds the EPA’s Tier 2 emissions requirement for marine engines.

Read more »

1000 Green Steps is your source for new green business ideas.
We’ll keep you up-to-date on the latest ideas and trends that are eco-friendly . . . and business-friendly, too.
1000 Green Steps will show you how sustainability initiatives are becoming the foundation of successful business plans throughout the world.
And, we’ll take it Step By Step.

Step 21: Steinway Installs World’s Largest Solar-Powered Cooling System

The piano-manufacturing icon Steinway & Sons has installed the world’s largest solar-powered cooling system atop its factory in Queens, New York.

Read more…

Step 22:  The Carbon Footprint of Beef

A new article in Scientific American details precisely how beef production contributes to global warming.

Read more…

Step 23: U.S. Wind Energy Industry Breaks Records in 2008

The U.S. wind energy industry installed 8,358 megawatts (MW) of new generating capacity in 2008, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) announced on Tuesday.

Read more…

Step 24: Need a Green Gift for Your Valentine?

Looking for the perfect Valentine’s present for the eco-friendly man in your life?

Read more…

Step 25: New Generation of LEDs Cut Costs, Save Energy

Researchers have developed a new way to make LEDs, and that could reduce your household lighting bills by as much as 75% within the next five years, according to a recent article in Science Daily.

Read more…

Step 26:The Kellogg Co. Tests New Green Cereal Box

In a nod to the up-and-coming field of green packaging, the Kellogg Co. is testing a new cereal box that uses 8% less material, reports Ad Age.

Read more…

Step 27: Best Buy Begins Electronics Recycling Program on Feb. 15

Best Buy has announced that it will launch an electronics recycling program at all of its U.S. stores beginning on February 15.

Read more…

Step 28: Enterprise Rent-A-Car Adds 5,000 Hybrid Cars to U.S. Fleet

Enterprise Rent-A-Car has added approximately 5,000 hybrid vehicles to its U.S. fleet. These cars, which include several makes and models of the Toyota Prius, Nissan Altima, Ford Escape, and Toyota Camry, can schieve greater fuel economy, use less gasoline, and have lower emissions than traditional vehicles.

Read more…

Step 29: 7-Eleven Opens Green Commissary, Distribution Center

7-Eleven, Inc. has opened a green Commissary and Combined Distribution Center (CCD) in Long Island, New York. Fresh foods are prepared at the new environmentally-friendly facility and delivered to 674 7-Eleven stores in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Read more…

Step 30: 2009 Great Backyard Bird Count Starts Friday

The 2009 Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) starts this Friday, February 13 and will run through Monday, February 16.

Read more…

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently awarded the South Jersey Technology Park (SJTP) at Rowan University its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver rating for green steps they took.

LEED certification of the SJTP in Glassboro, New Jersey was based on the facility’s numerous environmentally-friendly design and construction features, including:

• innovation in design

• use of recycled materials

• innovative waste management

• pollution prevention

• energy systems

Read more »

Timex Group USA recently completed an installation of 800 solar panels outside its headquarters in Middlebury, Connecticut as their green steps.

This project is one of the largest ground-mounted solar electric installations in the northeastern United States.

Timex’s photovoltaic (PV) system

• cost $2.5 million

• consists of 27 rows of 244kW solar panels

• will generate 285,439 kWh each year (enough electricity to power nearly 32 average Connecticut homes for a year)

• will avoid more than 6.6 million pounds of CO2, 28,000 pounds of sulfur dioxide, and 11,000 pounds of nitrogen oxide over the next 25 years

• is the environmental equivalent of planting almost 31,000 trees or avoiding nearly 7.3 million miles of driving

• was financed in part though the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund and tax credits

Read more »

The 2009 Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) starts this Friday, February 13 and will run through Monday, February 16.

The GBBC is an annual four-day event during which bird watchers of all ages count birds, creating a snapshot image of bird populations across North America and make it as green steps.

These green steps are free, fun, easy, and open to all ages and levels of bird-watching expertise. You can count for as a little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count as long as you like on each day of the event. All you have to do is fill out an online checklist at the Great Backyard Bird Count website.

Last year, participants submitted more than 85,000 checklists and reported more than 9.8 million birds of 635 species. As the count progresses, you can go to the website to follow what is being reported and see how the 2009 numbers compare to previous years.

The GBBC is a joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Audubon.

7-Eleven, Inc. has opened a green Commissary and Combined Distribution Center (CCD) in Long Island, New York as their company’s green steps. Fresh foods are prepared at the new environmentally-friendly facility and delivered to 674 7-Eleven stores in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

The 130,000 square-foot high-tech center includes features to conserve energy, water usage, and utility costs. In addition, a sophisticated inventory and computerized ordering system allows sandwiches, salads, and baked goods to be efficiently prepared on the same day they are ordered.

The CCD qualified for rate incentives and gas efficiency rebates from the National Grid, the local utility.

More information is available here.

Is your company taking green steps? Let 1000GreenSteps.org help you spread the word. Please leave a comment below, or contact us at: 1000GreenSteps@gmail.com Thank you!

Enterprise Rent-A-Car has added approximately 5,000 hybrid vehicles to its U.S. fleet as their green steps program. These cars, which include several makes and models of the Toyota Prius, Nissan Altima, Ford Escape, and Toyota Camry, can schieve greater fuel economy, use less gasoline, and have lower emissions than traditional vehicles.

The new hybrids will be be available at nearly 80 locations in 24 major markets across the U.S. Enterprise is calling these locations “hybrid branches” to underscore their high concentration of new hybrid cars. Also, for the first time, customers will be able to reserve these hybrids online or by phone.

Read more »

Best Buy has announced that it will launch an electronics recycling program at all of its U.S. stores beginning on February 15 as their green steps program.

Consumers can bring up to two items per day, per household, to any Best Buy store.

Best Buy will accept most consumer electronics, including:

• televisions and monitors up to 32″

• computers CPUs and notebooks

• small electronics

• VCR and DVD players

• phones

• accessories, such as keyboards, mice, and remotes

You’ll be charged a $10 recycling fee per unit for items with screens, such as televisions, laptop computers, and monitors. But, then you’ll instantly receive a $10 Best Buy gift card in exchange for the recycling fee. (This fee does not apply for units recycled in California stores, and does not apply for any of Best Buy’s Exclusive-Branded products, such as Insignia, Dynex, and VPR Matrix.) Read more »

In a nod to the up-and-coming field of green packaging, the Kellogg Co. is testing a new cereal box that uses 8% less material, reports Ad Age as their green steps program.

The new box:

• uses 8% less material
• packages the same amount of cereal
• saves space on store shelves and home pantries
• could help Kellogg cut costs and reduce its carbon footprint

The company will be testing the new box design in the Detroit area over the next six months.

More green packaging news is available here.

Is your company taking green steps? Let 1000GreenSteps.org help you spread the word. Please leave a comment below, or contact us at: 1000GreenSteps@gmail.com Thank you!