6th May, 2008: Carbon Footprints
Have you ever tried to figure out your Carbon Footprint for your house? We have been working on summarizing all our efforts in the Green/Environmental areas and trying to put a number to it. We could say we saved x amount of paper or did not use x amount of electricity but they all have different measurements. One method out there is to convert all the savings into carbon numbers and then they can be added or subtracted with ease.
There are many different calculators on the web that are appropriate for the household level. All you do is input your electric, gas, waste, commuting numbers and at the end a carbon footprint number is calculated. It is rather interesting to see where you have the biggest impact and what options you might explore if you want to reduce it. For the business it gets a bit more complicated with different locations but it has been a good exercise to see what our impact is. For many years we have been working on reducing our footprint and now we can see exactly what that effort has been. We need to keep on making reductions for even with the improvements we have made our total Carbon Footprint can still be lowered.
Dean
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12th February, 2008: Green Team chooses Green Products
In trying to make our facility even better, a question came up the other day about the floor and glass cleaners we are using in the corporate offices. One of the members on the Bigelow “Green Team” had heard about some cleaners that are more environmentally friendly and supposedly clean just as well.
So more investigation occurred and we invited a person to come in and explain their product and its benefit. The product is formulated using natural or naturally-derived ingredients that are non-toxic and biodegradable. We were impressed enough that our next step is to test the new product against our current cleaners. This natural product has been chosen for many hospitals and schools because of its cleaning and health benefits so we think we will be changing to it soon.
You never know where the next great idea will come from and that was the reason we created our Green Team so we have more eyes looking for solutions and improvements to make Bigelow the best it can be.
Dean
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5th February, 2008: Solar Panels Generate Excitement
Our solar array has now been up and running for three months and has been producing power each and every day. Now some days have been a bit brighter and sunnier than others but if you go to this link you can see how we are doing each day or for the week/month/year.
The solar project has been a great success not only in the power produced but in the interest it has generated. From showing the array to other companies who are interested in solar to just recently being contacted by a 13 year old that is doing a paper on solar for a school project, the amount of interest is amazing. When our project was brought on line we were the 2nd largest solar array in the state of CT and that gave us some bragging rights. Today I am very happy to say we have dropped to probably the 4th or 5th largest in the state. That means more and more companies have taken steps into green power and overall that is the best thing for everyone.
Dean
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22nd December, 2007: Business Week TV come to Bigelow Tea
Back in the Fall, Business Week TV came in to film our solar system, talk to Cindi Bigelow, and they also talked to our installer Solar Works. Bigelow Tea’s solar project story will air on Business Week TV on Sunday 12/23 at 11:30 am on ABC. More about this story will be up on their site after the show.
Posted by Dean at 10:30 am | Comment (0)
8th August, 2007: Governor Rell Signs Energy Efficiency Bill at Bigelow Tea Headquarters
Governor Rell signs new Energy Efficiency Bill
“DO ONE THING,” that is the new program Governor Rell announced today as she came to Bigelow Tea to sign the most comprehensive energy efficiency bill in the history of Connecticut. If we all do “one thing” every day to conserve energy, we will make a huge difference long term for our state and our planet: turn off the lights earlier, unplug your cell phone charger, run your dishwasher as late at night as possible…all simple options we can do to make a difference.
The Governor came to Bigelow Tea for the bill signing as we had just installed almost 900 solar panels on our roof-enough to generate up to 20% of our energy requirements in a much more environmentally friendly manner. Part of the bill that Governor Rell signed into law encouraged a 10% reduction in electricity requirements from Connecticut businesses…and I am so excited to say we did our part! But it doesn’t stop there, yes we installed solar panels, but we are committed to doing even more.
We need to all do our part and “do one thing” every day to help make our planet a better place. Yes, it was a super day here at Bigelow Tea!
Bigelow Tea headquarters rooftop ribbon cutting with Bigelow family and staff. Our new solar panels are in the background.
Posted by Cindi at 9:39 am | Comment (0)
7th August, 2007: The Greening of Connecticut
Very exciting, our Governor, Jodi Rell, is coming here this week to sign an environmental bill on our rooftop, standing by our newly installed solar panels. We worked very closely with the state of Connecticut to pull this project together, and Governor Rell, who has been really trying to drive for a more environmentally friendly state, is coming here to show her support for our work as well as to help promote this new bill.
The bill is extremely extensive. It includes things like expanding the “green building” requirements for state facilities and new school projects, it authorizes $30 million in bonding for energy efficiency in state buildings, it extends and expands the sales tax exemptions for energy efficiency and the bill even provides grants to people who replace their furnaces with more efficient models.
Governor Rell clearly sees the need to push for a “greening” of our state and Bigelow is proud to be a part in helping achieve that goal. The solar panels we installed on our roof will eliminate approximately 5 million pounds of carbon dioxide every year. That equates to reducing cars on the road by 5 1/2 million miles of driving a year or is like planting 33 acres of trees….I like to think of it as Bigelow Tea just got a little greener.
We are proud of our part in helping to protect our planet earth. We will keep you posted as we continue along in our quest.
Time to go, but it is too warm for a hot cup of Bigelow Tea, I think I am going to make green tea with mango and then put it over ICE!
Cindi Bigelow
Posted by Cindi at 6:05 am | Comment (1)
13th July, 2007: Friday the 13th
There is always apprehension when you talk about doing things on Friday the 13th but that is not stopping us from moving forward with a major project. Bigelow Tea has been working with the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, CCEF, on a 194 kW solar system. Over the last several months this project has been proposed, funded, and approved but the visible work will now finally start to happen.
On Friday the 13th a crane will be lifting the solar panels and associated hardware onto our 3rd and 5th story roof. Then over the next two to three weeks the panels will be installed, wired and tested. By mid August we should be producing power. This solar array will be the 2nd largest in the state and will produce 10 to 20% of our power demand. Now we can make green tea and green power at the same time.
Dean
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3rd July, 2007: Warming of Connecticut
Many of you might not have seen the program on Connecticut Public TV on June 26th “The Warming of Connecticut” but it was a well done documentary on global warming. Like “An Inconvenient Truth” it walked the viewer through the current conditions and showed what might happen in the future if we humans do not make some changes. As you might imagine from the title it focuses on the North East and showed what some local communities were doing to make a difference. It pointed out that while we might want the government to step in and make sweeping changes there are things we can do to have a positive impact now. Making the right choices all the time is tough, I was reminded today that I was not shutting down the computer each night, just letting the computer go to stand by. Now it is not that hard to just turn off the computer but I guess I was a bit lazy, that is where having co-workers or family can help remind you to do the right thing. So when you are thinking about throwing out that plastic bottle or newspaper remember to reuse, renew, recycle.
Dean
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14th May, 2007: Environmentally Responsible Choices
What do these have in common?
- Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs
- Drive smarter, drive less; plan car trips or car pool, walk, ride a bike, use public transportation
- Plant 1 tree; trees absorb CO2, create oxygen, provide shade and muffle sound
- Tighten up household energy leaks; caulk windows, wrap up hot water heater, turn down heat in winter, AC in summer
- Shop “green” in the grocery store; bring re-useable bags
- Recycle more; recycle aluminum cans, glass bottles, plastic, paper, cardboard and newspapers
- Invest less in a grassy lawn’ plant low maintenance ground covers and reduce garden chemicals
- Cut back on unnecessary use of electricity
- Take 1-minute shorter shower
They are all things people are doing to make environmentally-responsible choices to help preserve, protect and promote a sustainable future. We are doing many things at Bigelow that are environmentally friendly and will be talking about them in the future. If you have ideas please share them on the blog site.
Dean
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30th April, 2007: Environmental Interview with Dean Hearst
Hello my name is Shane Jordan I run The Sietch.
The Sietch caters to a diverse audience of ecologically minded readers. We get about 40,000 readers a month and they are always interested in learning more about companies that care about the earth. We have an ongoing series of articles called “ten questions” that seek to introduce these readers to interesting people and companies that are making a positive change in the world. I recently read about your new solar system and would love to ask you some questions about it.
Could you introduce yourself to the readers, your name, your position in the company etc?
My name is Dean Hearst. I grew up in Montana, and received my first exposure to “green” living when my parents built a passive solar house in 1980. In 1991 my wife and I spent two years living on our sailboat, which did have a small diesel engine, but 95% of our power came from the wind, and our two solar panels. It opened my eyes to how you can really live quite comfortably with use of “alternative energy”. I am currently the Vice President of Manufacturing for Bigelow Teas.
1. Could you tell me about your company? How did the company start, interesting facts about, etc?
Bigelow Tea was founded by Ruth Campbell Bigelow over 60 years ago in 1945. The company continues to be 100% family owned and managed by the Bigelow family with a special blend of pride and enthusiasm. Today the company is one of the nation’s leading producers of specialty teas, which includes more than 80 varieties of flavored, traditional, green, organic green, herbal, decaffeinated, and iced teas. One of Bigelow Tea’s most well-known products is America’s number one specialty tea flavor “Constant Comment®” which is flavored with a delicious blend of oranges and spice. It is available in both black and green tea versions.
In 2003, Bigelow Tea purchased and restored the beautiful Charleston Tea Plantation – the only tea plantation in America. Here Bigelow Tea cultivates several hundred thousand tea bushes that are descendants of bushes brought from China and India during the 1800’s. Visitors are welcome to tour the facility and observe the tea manufacturing process.
And don’t forget about our high profile advocates of Bigelow Green Tea which include sports figures Yankees manager Joe Torre and the father-son football duo Phil and Chris Simms.
2. What made Bigelow decide to go solar was it requested by your customers?
Solar power was looked at as a means to reduce the increase in power rates by United Illuminating. Bigelow formed a team to look at alternate methods of generating power and possible reductions to our current power consumption. With the help from CCEF “Connecticut Clean Energy Fund” and United Illuminating the process has been very painless and educational along the way.
3. How are you working with the state of Connecticut, to install the system?
The state of Connecticut has the CCEF “Connecticut Clean Energy Fund” for encouraging companies and homeowners to look at conservation and renewable production. We have applied for and received a grant to help pay for the solar project from CCEF. We are working with a local company “Solar Works” who is doing the engineering, installation and commissioning of the solar array.
4. How large will the solar system be?
The solar array is between 177 and 194 kW. Sizing of the system is critical to CCEF and Bigelow because while we want to produce as much as possible we need to make sure it is as cost efficient as possible. The size of the system is determined by the amount of roof space available to receive enough sunlight to produce an economical payback.
5. Has the recent prominence of global warming in the news had anything to do with your choice to go solar?
While the movie “An Inconvenient Truth” and other articles and legislation has increased awareness in global warming recently, the Bigelow Tea Company has looked into green or recyclable products for many years. We have partnered with companies that make positive environmental choices and we are pleased in taking this next step with our rooftop solar array.
6. What sort of savings can you expect from your system?
The system will generate 10% to 20% of our electrical demands. Our peak demand happens to be during the summer time so our biggest savings should also be during the summer when we are generating the most from the solar array. We will use a monitoring system that can be monitored via the Internet that shows what power has been generated by the hour or by the day. We should save around $3750 a month in electric bills.
7. Has the company made other energy efficient choices that follow in these same green footsteps?
We are looking at ways to save energy from lights that turn off after a certain period with no movement in the area; new equipment that runs more efficiently with the same amount of power as old equipment; and brighter lights that use less electricity. These are all ways we are working to improve our energy choices.
8. I notice you have started to produce organic green teas, could you tell us a little about them and why you decided to start growing them?
Bigelow’s Organic Green tea is naturally grown and processed in accordance with USDA and QAI requirements using natural fertilizer to maintain a healthy and safe growing environment and working with socially responsible farmers who also emphasize the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Our consumers have enjoyed the benefits of our green tea line over the years as they have searched for ways to lead a healthier lifestyle while enjoying a quality product. Now they can enjoy a healthy cup of organic green tea that comes from an all natural garden
Bigelow Tea works to keep the green tea category dynamic, with a tempting assortment of flavor innovations, where each and every one offer maximum enjoyment because our teas are so fresh. In addition to our newest flavors, Green Tea with Pomegranate, Green Tea with Blueberry, Green Tea Chai, and Jasmine Green Tea, we now offer a total of 12 exciting flavors in the Bigelow Green Tea lineup.
9. Are you planning any other lines of organic products?
We are always coming up with new flavors based on consumer demand….check the blog for updates.
10. I have always been told that green tea is good for your health; can you explain why green tea is good for us?
Please go to our blog, www.bigelowteablog, and our website, www.bigelowtea.com, for tea health facts. From cutting cancer’s risk to losing weight, many studies from around the world make note of the amazing benefits of green tea.
Please tell me anything else about your company, yourself, or your product that you feel was not covered under the above questions and you think would be interesting to my audience.
This year will be our 20th year hosting the Bigelow Fun Run in Southport. Over $50,000 was raised last year and donated to eight local charities. This year we are also volunteering time and effort to Habitat for Humanity.
We are working with the town of Fairfield to raise awareness of environmental issues such as global climate shifts as related to everyday lifestyle and habits, and to provide meaningful opportunities for individuals, businesses, schools and government to actively affect change.
www.bigelowtea.com
1-888-BIGELOW (1-888-244-3569)
Posted by Dean at 6:00 am | Comments (3)
