Alaska-Washington Connection 2011: Companies invest in eco-friendly changesEnterprises in Washington and Alaska benefit from introducing practices that cut costs, improve lives of employees, customers Rose Ragsdale For Alaska-Washington Connection
Companies in the Alaska-Washington trade improve their operations by protecting the environment with power reductions, recycled materials and ecologically friendly innovations.
A $2.7 million shore power project completed at the Port of Tacoma in October will reduce diesel and greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent during 100 cargo ship calls each year in Tacoma. That equals about 1.9 tons of diesel particulates and 1,360 tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year and boosts to 64 percent total calls at the port where cargo ships plug into shore power. The project supports the groundbreaking Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, adopted in early 2008 by the Port and its regional partners, the ports of Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., to meet jointly established short- and long-term clean air goals for ships, cargo-handling equipment, rail, trucks and harbor craft.
Alaska Airlines, Lynden Inc. and other Washington-based businesses have taken numerous steps in recent years to reduce their environmental footprints.
American Fast Freight, for example, recently moved into a new 100,000-square-foot eco-friendly headquarters. The full-use development is situated on 20 acres in Fife, Wash. The facility has energy-efficient building materials, windows and lighting. It also has a state-of-the-art HVAC system with a UV light anti-microbial system that sanitizes the air by destroying the DNA of viruses, mold, spores, fungi and bacteria as it circulates through the building.
In addition, American Fast Freight dedicated 2.5 acres of the property to a storm water retention pond and landscaped the site with drought-resistant plants.
Working with the City of Fife, the employee-owned company is also developing four acres into a second storm water retention pond and public park.
Green programs in Alaska In Alaska, companies also go the extra mile for the environment. For example, it takes just one gallon of gasoline to move a ton of freight the length of the entire Alaska Railroad route, making a train one of the greenest ways to move freight - or just go sightseeing - in Alaska.
The Alaska Railroad is committed to operating in an environmentally responsible manner. One of Alaska’s earliest recipients of a Green Star Award, which recognizes a commitment to reducing waste, preventing pollution, conserving energy and recycling, the railroad remains a Green Star business after 18 years. It also recently won an additional Green Star Air Quality Award, which recognizes the railroad’s substantial efforts to reduce emissions and conserve energy.
In addition to extensive energy and lighting upgrades to reduce fuel costs and emissions, the Alaska Commercial Co. has introduced several environment-friendly programs in its widespread retail chain of AC stores. These include using biodegradable plastic bags and giving customers coupons for reusable bags. In its Puget Sound distributions warehouse, the company also introduced a green program that includes eco-friendly lighting and recycling all of its used cardboard and shrink wrap.
Did you find this article interesting?
Tweet it
 | Digg it
|
Print this story | Email it to an associate.
Click here to subscribe to Petroleum News for as low as $69 per year.
|
