BioCycle July 2012, Vol. 53, No. 7, p. 47
New Generation Shredders
Vecoplan’s VAZ 1600 New Generation shredders are designed for improved performance, durability and low maintenance. Features/options include: double sidewalls to reduce wear and eliminate contamination of and heat transfer to bearings, externally adjustable reversible counter knives and hydraulic swing-up screen carriages that provide easy access to the rotor for cutter replacements, tramp metal removal and other routine maintenance. www.VecoplanLLC.com
NCAT Seeks Energy Corps Host Sites
National Center for Appropriate Technology seeks nonprofit organizations, schools and public agencies in Arkansas, Iowa, Montana, Pennsylvania and Texas to host Energy Corps Americorps members for the 2012-2013 program year. The purpose of the program is to help build the green economy by providing participating organizations and agencies involved in sustainable energy projects with highly qualified individuals for a one-year term of Americorps service. Serving as an Energy Corps host site provides an opportunity to increase organizational and community capacity to address national energy needs. The Energy Corps provides members with hands-on training and skills development necessary to enter the green-collar workforce. energcorps.ncat.org/news.php
Funding Brazil Biogas Project
FirmGreen Inc., a small renewable energy company based in California, and other U.S. green technology companies will benefit from a $48.6 million loan that the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) granted in mid-June to support exports of equipment and services to the Novo Gramacho landfill biogas project in Brazil. Project owner Gas Verde S.A. will operate the plant, located at a landfill near Rio de Janeiro. FirmGreen estimated that the project will directly generate 165 new jobs at its facilities and other companies in seven states. Ex-Im Bank is an independent, self-sustaining federal agency with the mission to help create and maintain U.S. jobs by financing sale of American exports, primarily to emerging global markets. The transaction represents the bank’s first venture into biogas. www.firmgreen.com
Fabric Building Manufacturer Certified
Legacy Building’s recent CSA-A660 Certification through the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) means that its fabric structures comply with the country’s applicable engineering criteria and building codes. To achieve certification, a manufacturer must operate a production facility, maintain staff and institute a quality assurance program. Legacy pioneered the idea of incorporating structural steel frames into tension fabric structures, replacing the traditional hollow tube, open web truss frames. www.legacybuildingsolutions.com
Home Recycling Bins
TrashCo Inc. is expanding its line of 13-gallon Flings Pop-Up Trash and Recycling Bins designed to encourage source separation of waste at events and parties with a smaller, 6-gallon Home Recycle line. Both products store flat, and snap open accordion-style to form a stable, decorative bin (in a variety of designs including the “recycle” logo) for trash or recycling. Flings were recently recognized by the Edison Awards as one of the top three new household products of the year. www.flingsbins.com
Inhibiting Microcorrosion
Cortec’s water-based microcorrosion inhibiting VpCI-395 epoxy primer offers adhesion, immersion and long-term corrosion protection to steel. The nonflammable coating differs from traditional zinc-rich epoxy primers in that it minimizes long-term embrittlement and dries fast (20-30 minutes to the touch). Its water-based formulation complies with environmental regulations governing solvents and VOC limits while only requiring soap and water for cleanup. Metals protected include carbon and stainless steel, cast iron, galvanized steel and aluminum. Typical uses include structural steel, OEM primer, equipment overhauls, immersed equipment and holding tanks. www.cortecvci.com
McCloskey Tracked Feeder
The new TF80 tracked feeder from McCloskey International facilitates handling and stockpiling of materials such as large wood waste, bark, compost and topsoil without blockage. Material may be directly fed into the hopper with large loaders and excavators. Powered by a 100hp Kubota engine, the TF80 comes on tracks or wheels and folds hydraulically for ease of transport and fast on-site setup. In addition to the large feed hopper (up to 23 cubic yards), the unit features a 48-inch wide, 80-foot long conveyer and a 48-inch wide feeder. www.mccloskeyinternational.com
AD Manufacturing Partnership
Marathon Equipment Company and Zero Waste Energy (ZWE) have entered into a strategic partnership by which Marathon will manufacture anaerobic digestion (AD) systems for Zero Waste Energy and the two companies will collaborate on marketing, e.g., to the renewable compressed natural gas sector. Marathon has historically manufactured onsite waste compaction and recycling systems, while ZWE designs, builds and operates integrated solid waste facilities. “We pride ourselves on using innovation to help our customers find best-in-class, value-added solutions for their unmet solid waste needs,” said Geoff Apthorp, who is with Marathon’s parent company, Environmental Solutions Group. “Working with Zero Waste Energy, one of the most forward-thinking and creative companies in our key markets, is another way in which we can globally offer customers both the latest organic waste technology and local customer support.” www.marathonequipment.com; zerowasteenergy.com
Worm Socks
VermiSoks, Inc. in Phoenix, Arizona makes biodegradable, mesh tubes filled with ground coconut husks (coir), seeded with earthworms and inoculated with liquefied food waste. Customers use the filled socks as a growing substrate that requires no watering. The company uses a proprietary process to make the inoculant it calls “worm wine,” grinding the food waste, then adding water and probiotic microorganisms. Earthworms digest the coconut husks and worm wine and convert that into vermicompost. Providing a portable growing medium that holds moisture and doesn’t require much space is particularly useful in Arizona’s arid, desert environment, says Miguel Jardine, who started the company in 2010. www.vermisoks.com
