Cells for Cells

How To Be Sustainable: Katie Killen Shares How The City Of Shawnee, Kansas, Practices Sustainability

August 19, 2013 by jclements

Katie Killen, Assistant City Manager at City of Shawnee, Kansas — Katie Killen, Assistant City Manager for the City of Shawnee, Kansas

Katie Killen is the assistant city manager for the city of Shawnee, Kansas. Her work for the city involves solid waste, recycling and sustainability. In this interview, Katie answers questions about a city’s role in helping the public become better at recycling.

1. What are 4 things that anyone can do right now to be a better recycler?

Katie: Make it easy for yourself. If there is a way to fit it into your routine take advantage of it.

Put a recycling can next to your trash can .
Put a glass recycling container in a spot you will remember to take it with you, and make drop off part of the routine .
Pin a reminder in an easy to find place to remember what can go curbside at your home.
When in doubt on where take something, then check out recyclespot.org, a regional resource on recycling in the Kansas City area.

2. Name some things that happen inside of the City of Shawnee’s offices that impacts the environment.

Katie: We have a City-wide recycling policy in place that covers everything from common recyclables to motor oil, batteries and electronics. We recently completed some energy efficiency projects in City facilities that upgraded lighting and HVAC systems. The last major facilities that the City built (the Justice Center and Fire Station #72 off Renner and Johnson) are LEED certified.

3. What do you think the City of Shawnee does best for the environment?

Katie: Educating and leading by example. There are so many departments that touch on environmental stewardship through the work they do each day and in addition are out educating the public on topics that range from rain barrels to recycling, energy efficiency to water quality. Check out our latest Parks and Recreation Brochure. Page 18-19 have some great classes.

4. What do you feel is the most difficult part of promoting sustainability? Easiest? Continue Reading

Making Recycling Convenient With The Solecan

August 15, 2013 by jclements

The Solecan

When is comes to innovations in recycling, people talk a lot about making it easier. If you make recycling easier then more and more people will do it.

Liz and Jeff Helfrich are making recycling easier with the Solecan. The Solecan is a unique single can trash/recycling solution. It has two separate sides–one for regular waste, one for recycling–that easily snap together to help you recycle.

You can see the Solecan in action in the video at the end of this interview. Or, if you want to see it now, scroll down and click play.

1. What are 4 things that anyone can do right now to be a better recycler?

Jeff: Convenience. Convenience. Convenience. Convenience. People only recycle if it is convenient. If you want to improve recycling rates at home or in the office, then make it more convenient to recycle. Many studies have shown that the number one thing you can to do be a better recycler now is to make recycling more convenient for yourself.

2. You are the inventor of the Solecan. What is a Solecan?

Jeff: Actually, I am co-inventor of the Solecan with my wife, Liz. The Solecan is a dual compartment receptacle with trash on one side and recycling on the other. It snaps apart to make emptying the separate compartments a breeze. It will be made from 100% recycled plastic.

3. Why are you interested in sustainability? Continue Reading

Keep Omaha Beautiful: A Sustainability Model For All Cities

August 15, 2013 by jclements

Keep Omaha Beautiful, Inc. is an environmental organization that does what its name implies. KOB is dedicated to litter reduction, beautification and education on recycling and solid waste issues.

In this interview, Cindy Smilley, the Executive Director of KOB since 1990, encourages everyone to connect with KOB. There are many opportunities for you to volunteer your time and dollars. Here is the link for you to explore ways to get involved with Keeping Omaha Beautiful.

1. What are the 4 easiest things that anyone can do right now to become a better recycler?

Just decide to start recycling…..today.
Find a place in your pantry, under the sink, or in the garage to place a recycling container. It doesn’t have to be fancy…just a box or container.
Talk to your kids about the recycling numbers on the bottom of plastics and educate them about what can be recycled in Omaha (and in your area).
Talk with your kids about recycling and have them watch you recycle…they can help too.

2. What are the neatest changes you have seen in how Omaha takes better care of our planet?

Strong environmental groups have started that are very inclusive. They work together rather than by themselves.

3. Name two companies that do excellent work in keeping Omaha beautiful. Continue Reading

Rockhurst University: Recycling Opportunities For Students

July 30, 2013 by jclements

Rockhurst University is one of the top learning institutions in the Midwest. But how do they rank in their sustainability efforts? In this interview, Katherine Frohoff, Director of Public Relations at Rockhurst University, discusses opportunities for students to become better recyclers.

1. What are 4 things that students can do right now to become better recyclers?

Create a system for collecting personal recyclables and getting them in the bins.
Use the bins correctly – don’t contaminate paper with food, for example.
Keep sustainability in mind when organizing student events and work with university staff to ensure there are avenues for recycling.
Think beyond the bin – look at personal consumption habits such as water usage, energy savings and purchasing habits

2. Is there an environmental club where students can become more involved in sustainability initiatives?

We have several avenues – the Green Club, which is all students, the Sustainability Committee, which also involves faculty and staff, and involvement through various channels such as Student Senate and working with our Sodexo food service partner.

3. What do you think Rockhurst University does best in the area of sustainability?

One of the things we do best is to collaborate across our internal constituencies to make positive changes. Just a few of the many areas that are involved in sustainability efforts are Physical Plant, Sodexo food service, Student Senate, Student Development, Faculty Senate and the Staff Advisory Council.

Recent Examples of Sustainability Efforts: Continue Reading

Meet Jay Steiner: Cancer Survivor and Superhero

July 17, 2013 by jclements

Meet Jay Steiner. Jay is a cancer survivor. Jay is also a superhero. It takes a superhero to beat cancer and then to support a family member who is also battling cancer. Below, in question 8, you’ll find Jay’s Tips on being a superhero for your loved one who may be battling cancer.

1. You are a KU Fan – predict their record for this year.

Jay: Crimson & Blue all the way through. 5-7 in football. 33-3 in basketball.

2. What is the food that you are best at making?

Jay: Waffles!

3. If moon travel becomes available in the next 10 years, are you going?

Jay: Too many exciting things to see here (on Earth) first.

4. If you could throw a party for your donors with an unlimited budget, where would it be and what two bands would play?

Jay: At a park in Lake Tahoe. I’d probably have Jack Johnson open for Dave Matthews

4. Why did you want to join the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society team?

Jay: I’m a survivor of Pediatric A.L.L. (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) so finding cures for Leukemia has always been at the forefront of my mind. I’m fortunate to work for an organization who’s primary objective is so aligned with my personal objectives.

How To Recycle Glass: Ripple Glass Makes It Easy To Recycle

July 15, 2013 by jclements

Total Reading Time: Approximately 6 minutes.

Michelle Goth is the Program Manager at Ripple Glass where she makes glass recycling easier for Kansas City area businesses. She assists bars, restaurants, hotels, event spaces, and other businesses to establish and to improve their glass recycling processes.

1. What is the coolest innovation that you have seen in the glass recycling industry?

Michelle: By far the coolest innovation in the glass recycling industry is the laser sorter. This machine can be programmed to identify thousands of different colors of glass. When a color is programmed into the machine, it scans all of the glass on the conveyor belt, searching for that particular color. When it finds it, it quickly blows a puff of air which pops the piece of glass onto a different belt. It has revolutionized the way that glass is recycled by allowing people to recycle all colors together. If a certain color needs to be separated out, the recycler can do so with the laser sorter. We use ours to separate out amber (brown) glass for re-manufacture into beer bottles.

2. Does glass break down in the landfills? How long does it take?

Michelle: Glass does not break down or decompose in the landfill due to the lack of organic matter. If it is forcibly broken, it may eventually resemble something like sand.

3. What else in the field of sustainability is interesting to you?

Michelle: I think the issue of food waste is very interesting. Food composting is an underdeveloped area within the recycling industry here in the United States. Missouri Organic is pretty well established here in Kansas City, but I visit other large cities where businesses have no composting services available.

I’ve read that as much as 40% of the food we purchase in America ends up in the landfill. When you consider the level of resources that goes into food production, that is pretty devastating. [Jason’s notes: quick link to How to Stop Wasting Food and 27 Ways to Make Groceries Last Longer.]

4. What are 4 things that anyone can do right now to be better at recycling?
Continue Reading