Eco Award Winners Turn to Non-Toxic AusPen Markers

Richmond, British Columbia (PRWEB) May 18, 2011

WD Ferris Elementary School in Richmond B.C. is the winner of the 2011 EcoVoyageurs Jr award, and this environmentally-minded school is putting their grant money to good use. The annual award goes to a school or class that has taken considerable measures to reduce their ecological footprint. For a second year in a row, WD Ferris has earned this award, and like last year, is turning to practical green solutions with the earnings. Kevin Lyseng, the school environmental leader and grade 5/6 teacher, has used the money to purchase sets of AusPen non-toxic, refillable and recyclable dry-erase markers for the classroom whiteboards, a move which will reduce the schools waste by approximately 300 pounds.

The appeal of AusPen eco-friendly markers, explains Lyseng, is that they show the kids how you can make a difference. We can now say that with these 120 markers and their refill inks, 5000 markers wont go into a landfill. That makes numbers real. That makes real connections. Now the kids can see why [the choice of these markers] is valuable, says Lyseng.

Lyseng was already turned off of his regular markers before finding out about a greener alternative. The nasty smell of the disposable markers, the stain they would leave on the board, and the cleaning spray that shouldnt be in our school in the first place are reasons the eco-conscious teacher made a better environmental choice. It is not uncommon to just use your hand to quickly wipe ink off the board. That begs the question of whats in our man-made environment and why its killing us. We rarely question what we use on a daily basis, he observed.

The elementary school and Lyseng are no strangers to winning environmental awards. Previous environmental competitions like EcoVoyageurs and BC Green Games, as well as green initiatives such as recycling beverage containers, have provided the school with funds which they have used to purchase park benches, 30 trees for the school property, stainless steel compost containers, rechargeable batteries, field trips, rain barrels, an elaborate garden and compost system, and wire baskets that enable the wet paper to dry and then be recycled.

Much can be learned from the approaches that WD Ferris has taken towards reducing their ecological footprint. Whenever obstacles have presented themselves, the school has searched for new approaches and projects. For example, a mice infestation in the school proved to be a major problem. It stopped the school from conducting school waste audits and composting. The school had been generating over 5 kilograms per day of compost, which they would use to fertilize their school gardens. Forced to stop composting, the school re-focused their energies and decided to put their grant money towards AusPen eco-friendly markers, a practical solution to the toxic, wasteful and expensive regular markers.

When asked what advice he might give to other schools trying to go green or reduce their waste, Lyseng recommended doing a series of garbage audits. That will provide the direction to work on, he explains. Look at what is coming into the school and what gets thrown out. Refuse what creates waste, or modify it. I saw 4-5 plastic whiteboard markers being thrown out a day. What does that look like over time? Lyseng says that switching to AusPen eco-friendly markers was not his schools starting point in going green, but it could be for other schools. Its about thinking differently, challenging your general behaviours and asking: whats a better way of doing it and how can we improve on it?

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Jack LaLanne to Receive Inaugural DR Icon Award

(PRWEB) August 09, 2011

The Electronic Retailing Association (ERA), the leading trade association for direct-to-consumer commerce, announced that Jack LaLanne, a long-time pioneer in the direct response marketing field, will be honored posthumously with the inaugural DR Icon Award. The Award will be presented at the ERA Moxie Awards Gala on Thursday, Sept. 15th, 7:00 p.m. 9:30 p.m., at the 2011 ERA D2C Convention at the Wynn Hotel, Las Vegas.

The DR Icon Award honors an individual whose personal brand and extraordinary talent have re-shaped direct response marketing. The Award will be presented in honor of Jack LaLanne to his wife of 51 years, Elaine LaLanne, during a special presentation.

Jack LaLanne was a pioneer in our industry whose skills and personality surpassed the direct-to-consumer marketplace, says ERA President and CEO Julie Coons. He made significant contributions to our industry, while helping people worldwide see the importance of living a strong and healthy life. Its evident that the industry and his peers strongly believe Jack is worthy of receiving this new award.

Jack meant so much to so many and this award is a noble final recognition for all his hard work spreading his message of health and fitness to the world. I am touched, honored and privileged to receive it on his behalf, says Elaine LaLanne.

Jack LaLanne passed away on January 23, 2011.

Jack LaLanne was Americas Number 1 Physical Fitness Expert and Guru, and is often called the Godfather of Fitness. Jack admitted it was not always this way. As a kid, he flatly stated, I was a sugarholic and a junk food junkie! It made me weak and it made me mean. It was at the age of 15, when he heard a nutritionist speak at the Oakland City Womens Club in San Francisco Bay Area. That man promised Jack if he would exercise and eat a proper diet, he could regain good health. Jack listened attentively and was fiercely determined to walk away from that lecture ready to build a totally new Jack LaLanne.

He began experimenting with weights and before long Jack was able to attain a muscular, healthy body. He became a voracious reader, absorbing everything that would help him to improve himself. During college, he studied pre-med to become a medical doctor and graduated. However, resolving to help others find the secrets to health and fitness, Jack opened the nations first modern health studio in 1936 in Oakland, California.

Over time, Jack began to formulate a basic approach to physical fitness and nutrition. His methods would be scientifically sound, as he developed the first prototypes of exercise equipment presently available in contemporary health spas. He was the first to have women work out with weights, and he also encouraged the disabled and elderly to exercise for health.

Jacks reputation began to spread and by the early 1950s, he was given the opportunity to utilize the new medium of television to reach even more people. He used television to reach out to millions of Americans everywhere with his gospel message of get out of your chair, work out and feel better. His motivational message spread across the country like wildfire and his show was an instant nationwide hit! Jack LaLanne lived by what he said to others, and he did it for over 75 years. Much of what Jack LaLanne has advocated through his teaching has become common knowledge today. Todays doctors and fitness experts all acknowledge daily systematic and proper diet as the principle keys to a longer healthier life. See also this link:

http://www.jacklalanne.com/jacks-adventures/feats-and-honors.php

For more information please visit http://www.retailing.org.

About the 2011 ERA D2C Convention

The Electronic Retailing Associations 2011 ERA D2C Convention is the 21st annual show where the industrys top technology innovators, manufacturers, buyers and marketers meet to learn about the hottest trends in the direct-to-consumer marketplace and meet with partners and potential customers to seal critical business relationships. The event will feature more than 4,000 attendees and 120 exhibitors, a variety of education sessions on industry related topics and expansive networking opportunities, as well as wide variety of events on the trade show floor. For more information, please visit http://www.D2Cshow.org.

About the Electronic Retailing Association

Representing a more than $ 350 billion market, the Electronic Retailing Association (ERA) is the only trade association in the U.S. and internationally that represents leaders of the direct-to-consumer marketplace, which includes members that maximize revenues through electronic retailing on television, online and on radio. ERA strives to protect the regulatory and legislative climate of direct response while ensuring a favorable landscape that enhances e-retailers' ability to bring quality products and services to the consumer. ERA members include some of the industry's most prominent retail merchants, including Acorn Corporation, eBay, Discovery Communications, Gaiam, Google, Guthy-Renker Corporation, HSN, Jewelry Television, QVC, ShopNBC and Thane. For more information about ERA, please visit http://www.retailing.org.

Media Contact

Vi Paynich

Content Manager

Electronic Retailing Association

Tel. 909-606-3406

vpaynich(at)retailing(dot)org

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