The First Facility Management Blog

Energy efficient lighting company TCP, Inc. announced recently its exclusive partnership with CBS and EcoMedia, an environmental media company, to serve as the official lighting sponsor for the groundbreaking “Green Schools Initiative,” a program designed to work with U.S. mayors and local municipalities to “green” schools in cities across the country. The public-private partnership launches this fall in Chicago, Miami, and San Francisco, where a school (K-12) in each city will be awarded a state of the art green makeover.

Anticipated, makeover elements may include solar panels, an energy efficient lighting retrofit, green roofs, and tree planting, among other sustainable programs. As the official lighting sponsor, TCP will provide energy efficient lighting products to each of the winning schools for a complete retrofit. TCP is also incorporating its school fundraising program into the Green Schools Initiative, which will give students the opportunity to sell energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) to generate funding for extra curricular activities or future environmental projects in their schools.

“We strongly believe that education is the foundation for environmental responsibility,” said Ellis Yan, CEO, TCP, Inc. “Our partners at CBS and EcoMedia share this same vision and have created a program that will inspire students to make smart, informed decisions that can have a positive effect on the planet. We are proud to be helping lead the charge of this revolutionary initiative.”

“The Green School Initiative is another great example of EcoMedia’s commitment to help fund environmental projects though sponsorship revenues from leading corporate partners like TCP and CBS,” said Corey Gottlieb, president, EcoMedia. “TCP’s expertise in energy efficient lighting combined with their commitment to educating America’s youth, makes them an ideal partner in transforming schools into eco-friendly learning environments.”

The Green Schools Initiative was announced as part of a broad partnership recently launched between CBS and EcoMedia. The relationship was announced in June in Miami at the U.S. Conference of Mayors annual meeting with CBS President and CEO Leslie Moonves, Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, and EcoMedia CEO Paul Polizzotto on hand for the announcement. The Green School Initiative is designed to encourage students to take an active role in protecting the environment while educating them about innovative solutions that save energy and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Students will be asked to submit creative submissions to express what being green means to them and why their school should win the green makeover.

Top entries will be highlighted on CBS’s television, radio, and outdoor media outlets. All entries will be reviewed by select members of CBS, EcoMedia’s Advisory Board, city officials, and corporate sponsors. The winning schools will be announced in winter 2008, with the makeover scheduled for completion by spring 2009.

Veolia Environmental Services (Veolia) has reached an agreement with TCP, Inc. to promote recycling of mercury containing lamps. CFLs are seven times more energy efficient than incandescent lamps.

Parties desiring to recycle CFLs can order appropriate containers online. The price paid includes everything needed to recycle mercury bearing lamps. The user simply assembles the container, fills it, and ships it using the prepaid shipping label. One price is all a user pays. The disposed of fluorescent lamps will then be delivered to Veolia for recycling. Veolia will even send environmental compliance documentation to the generator.

“We’re proud to add TCP to a growing list of manufacturers working directly with Veolia that support recycling mercury containing lamps, sustainability and environmental responsibility,” noted Rob Wlezien, vice president, sales and marketing at Veolia ES Technical Solutions, L.L.C.

“We are very excited to partner with Veolia,” said Ellis Yan, President and CEO, TCP, Inc. “This recycling program allows consumers and businesses to feel confident that they have made the best possible lighting choice while helping the environment.”

At White Lodging, a Merrillville, IN based developer, owner, and manager of premium brand hotels, there has been an increased effort to shed little light on the importance of energy efficient lighting. By participating in the Energy Star Change a Light, Change the World program, the company is educating 5,300 employees on what can be done on an individual level to help slow global warming.

White Lodging partnered with TCP, Inc, the Aurora, OH-based lighting manufacturer of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) to distribute one CFL to each of its employees. The CFLs represent a reduction in energy consumption by 1,410,00 kWh or solid emissions in the air by 2,230,000 pounds.

“Global warming is a serious problem,” begins John LaHaise, VP of engineering, White Lodging. “White Lodging has started to do its part in preserving the environment by replacing all incandescent light bulbs throughout our properties with CFLs. We’ve seen great results in terms of energy savings, not to mention environmental protection. White Lodging is making a difference on a large-scale level, but we also recognize the impact individuals can make on a smaller scale. That’s why we held a Change a Light event.”

At the Change a Light event, every White Lodging employee received a CFL for use in his or her home as well as information explaining other ways to increase energy efficiency and reduce global warming.

“White Lodging employees have seen the difference CFLs make in the properties where they work, and they’ve seen that CFLs produce the same lighting as incandescent bulbs,” said Kevin Youngquist, National Accounts, TCP. “They understand that making the switch with just one light bulb in their home will produce results that benefit us all.”