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In 3 Words
Make an Impact, a program to help you save energy, save money, and save the planet, is coming to an area near you! We'd love your help to kick things off by showing what individuals in the community are doing to live sustainably and conserve energy.
Take a fun photo or video of yourself (or with your friends, family, pets, anyone!) making a positive environmental impact and send it to MakeAnImpact@c2es.org. We’ll email you back to confirm your details and get your permission to use your submission.
The photo should feature a white page with three words that help tell your story. Be creative!
Light the Way
We have been lighting the way by replacing incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient fluorescent bulbs. The incandescent light bulb has changed very little since its invention. Fluorescent lighting consumes less energy, and produces less wasteful heat; that equals a savings in energy cost. Although household lighting is a small portion of overall energy consumption, the availability of efficient lighting is still a good idea, and does equal to cost savings when combined with other energy saving efforts.
Robert A. Moses, Alcoa Tennessee Operations
Reuse One-Sided Paper
Patricia Bilskis of Alcoa Intalco Works is making an impact by reusing paper printed only on one side. She believes not doing so can be compared to throwing out a cup of coffee that is half consumed, or buying a gallon of gas but only getting the mileage from half of it! Not using both sides of a piece of paper is a waste of resources when you consider the production resources used to create the paper and the recycling of materials that are still usable. Not reusing your paper is a complete waste. There are also cost savings to be considered - you could potentially reduce your paper costs by half!
So, if your printer prints on both sides, be sure your computer is set-up for this too. If it only prints on one side, leave a box near the printer for one sided paper that can be reused.
Patricia Bilskis, Alcoa Intalco Works
Together We Can Make An Impact
“'Make an Impact' provides the tools for Alcoa’s employees and the local community to manage their individual carbon footprint, reduce their energy costs, and become part of the solution to global climate change. It is a great example of what can be achieved by individuals.
I know that individually we can make a difference, and together we can make an impact."
Klaus Kleinfeld, Alcoa CEO and President, New York
Yes We Can
Robert (Bob) Ewing of Alcoa Intalco Works is making an impact by recycling whenever he can. He says, “I have always been into recycling.” Recycling used bottles, cans, and newspapers generates financial, environmental, and social returns. Recycling also saves energy, decreases emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change, and maintains a healthy environment for future generations. Bob says, ‘when I shop I look for packaging that can be recycled; in case you were wondering I don't own any white board so I used the back of a pizza box top for the photo.’ That Makes an Impact!
Bob Ewing, Alcoa Intalco Works
Dare to Recycle
Recycling is very important for Chiya and me. We feel it is the least we can do to “Make An Impact” and reduce our carbon footprint. Every Saturday we make our weekly trip to the local dump and separate all of our trash and recyclables. Chiya is very well known and gets many treats from all the workers.
Gina Lestage, Payroll/Administrative Assistant, Alcoa Howmet - Winsted
Impact with Compact
With our economy at risk, our planet at stake, and our power rates increasing by 20%, it only made sense to find ways to help in our own household. Not only did we want to help the energy crisis, we wanted to teach our daughter how to be responsible with energy for her future. We made a trip to Home Depot to buy compact fluorescent bulbs, and worked together to change every light in the house. Our home is now brighter, cooler, and our energy bill costs less each month! Let’s all make an impact and teach our children to be smart with energy.
Jeremie Weiss, Alcoa Tennessee Operations, Electrical Apprentice
Hybrids Help Humanity
We have a hybrid vehicle and use it as much as possible. A more fuel-efficient vehicle will generate fewer greenhouse gases over the same travel distance and this allows people to reduce total emissions even further. Our other vehicle is not a hybrid but we plan to replace it with a hybrid when needed. When we got our Toyota Prius a few years ago, we had to wait many months for it to be available to us. I am glad to now know that they are more readily available to all customers.
Barb Grabowski, GBS-NAIS, ABSC
Saving Trees
Save your documents electronically; don't print unless you have to. If everyone practiced this, it would help lessen the impact of cutting down trees and destroying part of the environment’s natural eco-system. We are beginning to implement a new paperless on-line gauging system for our operation sketches to save on paper waste. I also avoid printing my e-mails at home to try to stay as paperless as possible. Taking these steps to reduce paper waste is just one way we can all have make a positive impact on the environment.
Paul Calabrese, Process Engineer, Alcoa Howmet - Winsted
Simply Sunny Solutions
We installed a 15W solar panel, a deep cycle battery and an inverter to 'experiment' with solar power. It has worked so well that it has been powering the lights (CFL) in our family room where we spend most of our time. Our plan is to get a DC power heater to help supplement our natural gas heating this winter. This will save us some money while maintaining our comfort!
Mark Lasich, Alcoa Technical Center (ATC)