Even Though Texas e-Waste Recycling Ranks Last–Austin Company Spurs it On

Even Though Texas e-Waste Recycling Ranks Last–Austin Company Spurs it On. Image Microsystems exhibits road signs and markers made from 100% post consumer e-waste plastic at the TCEQ Environmental Trade Fair and Exhibition.

A Special Valentine

Valentine’s Day usually means something very special to those who have been in love and married for many years.  Here’s a story that started out sad, but ended up making a husband very happy–just in time for Valentine’s Day!  

As part of their portfolio of services, Image Microsystems of Austin, TX handles consumer returns and depot repair for major consumer electronics retailers.  One of those retailers is OfficeMax.  Frances Gallup manages the team that works on refurbishing the computers that come in from OfficeMax.  Here is the story she recently relayed to me:  

“Pablo Valle found a beautiful wedding ring in one of the HP returns we refurbish for OfficeMax.  He did not know if it was possible to track down the owner of the ring so he brought it to my attention. I called the store to find out if maybe they had an employee that matched the initials inscribed inside the band. Unfortunately my hunt hit a dead-end. I took the band to my boss Dan Thorne and he was able to reach out to one of his contacts at OfficeMax and in turn he reached out to the General Manager of the store. The trail ended with a search in their system and they contacted the owner.  All I can say is WOW! There were many hands involved in this search but through teamwork the ring now is heading home, thanks to a hard-working  and honest employee–Pablo Valle.  Pablo also happens to be hearing impaired.”  

Pablo Valle Holds the 29 Year Old Wedding Ring He Found

 

I’ve often written about Image Microsystems and how they offer e-waste refurbishment and recycling services to help the environment.  They also help the community by employing many deaf and special needs workers.  Image Microsystems partners with the Texas School for the Deaf by providing paid internships and full-time employment for their graduates.  Last fall the company won the Texas Employer Award from the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities.   

This heart-warming story shows exactly how “paying it forward” really works.  Congratulations to Pablo and the rest of the Image Microsystems Team!

One Year Anniversary for the Texas Greenbelt Coalition–Can We Lead the Way in Cleantech?

If we don’t get this right and do it now–we won’t be the leader, we’ll be the follower. And that’s something I’m sure that no one wants.

Ever Returned Electronics Back to the Store? Austin Company Turns e-Waste into Profit–and Helps the Deaf Community at the Same Time

I’m curious as to why more markets haven’t written about e-waste and employing the deaf community. I guess that’s because the world just doesn’t think writing about reducing e-waste, or helping and employing people with disabilities is all that sexy. That’s why I’m doing everything I can to get the word out about these two very important topics.

The Hiring of Deaf Workers Wins Image Microsystems Major Award

I’d like to take a moment to introduce you once again to a fantastic technology company with facilities in Commerce, California and Austin, Texas that diverts over 6 million tons of e-waste from landfills every year and at the same time helps the disabled community by employing deaf and special needs workers. In fact, as of today, more than 40% of Image Microsystems’ workforce comes from the deaf and special needs population.

Power Generation for the 21st Century

My head is swimming after the event I attended last night! The CleanTX Forum meeting at the University of Texas’ MCC Building was packed with a standing room only crowd. As usual, Melissa Rabeaux, The Executive Director of the CleanTX Foundation (and part of the Austin Technology Incubator) did an outstanding organizational job. The food was great, the company was great, and yes, the panel was even great.

Door64 Tech Fair Hosted Brian Massey and “The Market for Me: Surviving Job Loss and Building Your Lifetime Career Network”

This Door64 Tech Fair session guided participants through the new paradigm for finding a job.

Door64 Tech Fair–Awesome Full House of Technorati at Goodwill Industries

Well I made it through yesterday’s Door64 Tech Fair (@door64).  What an amazing event!  Hundreds of people and over 30 tech companies convened at the Goodwill Industries of Central Texas to network, learn, and share ideas.

Matt Genovese Founder of Door64

There is too much to talk about in just one post, so I’m going to write several posts covering the day’s highlights.  I met so many wonderful people and tech companies at the event that I feel compelled to make the time and devote enough space to adequately describe them!  First and foremost we have to thank Matt Genovese (@mgenovese) the founder of Door64.  What a great organizer.  He managed to mobilize nearly 1,000 attendees and 37 tech companies for the occasion.  The place was jam packed with people.  It was crowded, but that just increased the energy level and  made me feel like I was part of something exciting.  That I was part of some of the best of Austin’s energy.  And I really was.  With the support of the IEEE and contributions from sponsors BuildASign, Amplify Financial , and Telecom Careers, the program proved amazing.

In this post I’m highlighting  Austin’s Goodwill Industries.  I dropped off my donation at their retail store prior to registering for the tech fair and was amazed at the quality–not only of the donations available  for sale–but the light, bright store.  I was greeted by Yolanda White who graciously accepted my donation and provided me with a receipt.  I was so impressed, that I took a photo.

Yolanda White of Goodwill Industries

I guess I just wasn’t thinking, because I hadn’t realized the mission of the organization is to provide job-related services and opportunities for people with barriers to employment.  The Austin center  has a gorgeous wall of photos of some of their success stories.  Stories of physically or mentally disabled people who now, thanks to Goodwill, are leading productive, happy lives as employees.  It really was quite amazing and heartwarming.

Goodwill Success Stories

The Austin location also features a computer museum and recycling center.  Austin’s Goodwill Industries provided a wonderful–though crowded–venue for the Door64 Tech Fair. I came to connect to technology, and came away with a warm feeling for the good work Goodwill provides in our community.

Texas Green Network and Green Legislation Update at Sustainable Waves

I just had to make it to the Texas Green Network monthly meeting yesterday at Sustainable Waves! As a musician myself, I was awestruck by the idea of solar powered sound stages and concert gear.  It would have been amazing in the old days if I could have powered my keyboard and band amps by the sun!  I’ll have to keep that in mind for my next gig.  I’ve posted several photos from the event.  I love their solar powered stage!

The Duncan+Finn Group at the Texas Green Network

My firm, The Duncan+Finn Group had a table at the meeting.  We met some awesome representatives of Austin’s green community.  Thanks to Reed Sternberg and the Texas Green Network for putting on an outstanding meeting!

Also located at Sustainable Waves is Hubbert’s Peak.  This nonprofit offers a demonstration laboratory that houses a venue for the alternative energy industry to demonstrate new technologies.  They also provide hands-on experience for students interested in training or re-training for a career in the emerging “green collar” industry.  I met some great people from Hubbert’s.

Sustainable Waves Solar Tree

Other than being awestruck by the concept of solar powered band gear, I was also quite interested in the keynote address by Luke Metzger (@lukemetzger), Director of Environment Texas. He listed some of the green successes that are happening in the current Texas Legislative Session.  If you are an environmentally minded Texan, be sure to follow Luke on Twitter (@lukemetzger).

Luke Metzger, Director of Environment Texas on The Solar Stage

Since Texas already leads the nation in total energy produced by the wind, Environment Texas is focused on solar initiatives this year.  About a dozen bills have been filed for this session.  One of the goals of the legislation is for Texas to produce at least 4,000 megawatts of electricity from solar by 2020.  The Texas Senate has already passed a bill that would create a $500 million solar rebate program.  The bill is expected to raise about $100 million annually over five years for solar and 30% of that money would be for residential solar installations with the remaining 70% for utility scale installations.  The rebates will cover 30% of production costs, adding to the 30% already offered by the Federal government.   A Senate committee also advanced a bill that would mandate roughly a 60% increase in the state’s renewable energy supply from sources other than wind.  Let’s keep our fingers crossed that the Texas Legislature does the right thing to promote clean energy.  I’ve heard some terrible rumors that lobbyists from the oil and coal sectors are trying to block some of the bills.  What’s up with that?  Aren’t we in this together to figure out a way to increase sustainable energy, add jobs, and still make money?

Solar Powered Band Gear

Since the legislators only meet every two years, and the session is almost over, people need to act quickly and communicate with their senators and representatives ASAP.  For community action groups and grass roots organizers  social media is absolutely essential to get the word out.  Using services like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other networks is the best way to quickly mobilize a rapid response team for important green issues.  But before you do that,  please get your strategy and an action plan together.  You know how I love to rant about this.  Don’t want to beat a dead horse on strategy, but it’s the key component that is always missing in most programs.  Plus social media requires a sizable time commitment, so be prepared!  But, the rewards will be well worth it.  If you plan properly and provide adequate manpower, social media can dramatically impact and accelerate your grassroots campaign!

Earth Day at the CleanTX Forum: Funding a Clean Energy Start-up

Great ideas from the CleanTX Forum. How to fund a cleantech startup.