BRIT’s sustainable winegrowing award, recognized as the only international award of its kind, has caught the attention of FIVS, the worldwide federation designed to represent the wine, beer, and spirits industries

The Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT^®) announced today it has been invited to speak about its International Award of Excellence in Sustainable Winegrowing Award during the 2012 FIVS Global Trade Policy Conference in Brussels, Belgium, on March 19, 2012.

Recycling officials from around the country and around the world will converge on Dallas in March.

The Residential Recycling Conference will convene for its third annual gathering at the Gaylord Texan on March 28-30, 2012. The nation's premier recycling conference features municipal recycling leaders, executives from privately owned recycling companies and leaders from non-profit groups and associations. The two-and-a-half-day event includes more than 25 speakers, an adjoining exhibit floor featuring the latest recycling technology and equipment, networking receptions, classes to earn professional education credits and a tour of a nearby recycling facility.

Waste & Recycling News and Republic Services Inc. are the co-organizers of the Residential Recycling Conference.

This year marks the 28th anniversary of the Dallas Arboretum's nationally acclaimed floral festival Dallas Blooms, presented by Capital One Bank.  The festival begins March 3 and continues through April 8.   With MSN's notation that the Dallas Arboretum was "One of the Top 14 Places in the World to See Spring Flowers" plans are underway to make this year's Dallas Blooms even more appealing. 

"Rawls 2.0" Opens Doors to Green Architecture, Hi-Tech Infrastructure

Texas Tech University Rawls College of Business students return this week to a "greener" side of the fence as they enter a new building -- focused not on the landscaping, but on the environmentally acclaimed architecture of the new facility.

The nearly 150-thousand-square-foot facility, designed by Boston-based architectural firm Goody Clancy, was built for LEED-certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification requires buildings to achieve high performance in key areas of human and environmental health, including sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

Donations Will Highlight Industry’s Commitment to Increasing Children’s Fruit and Vegetable Consumption at School

The United Fresh Foundation and partner produce companies have rallied to make fresh and healthy salad bars a reality in Texas schools. The Foundation and partners have set a goal to donate 100 salad bars to schools in the state that will host United Fresh 2012, and are asking industry colleagues to join in the charitable commitment. The cost to sponsor a salad bar is $2,500. More information on how to donate is available here.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today named 56 communities in 26 states that will receive technical assistance through the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program. Port Arthur and Corpus Christi, Texas, is one of the communities selected to receive assistance from EPA-funded private-sector experts. The technical experts will work with the communities on actions they can take to improve the economy, the environment, and quality of life. Some examples may include improving pedestrian access and safety, incorporating green infrastructure, or conducting an economic and fiscal health assessment.

Refreshed Cabin Positions Southwest's Fleet for the Future

Southwest Airlines introduced a new sleek cabin experience to enhance Customer comfort, improve fleet efficiency, and give back to the environment.  Dubbed Evolve: The New Southwest Interior, the cabin update utilizes durable and environmentally responsible products to reduce waste and create weight savings onboard the aircraft, while enhancing comfort for Customers.  Inspired by Southwest's past with a nod to the airline's future, the cabin refresh features recyclable carpet, a brighter color-scheme, and a more durable, eco-friendly, and comfortable low-profile seat that weighs less than the current seat. The new interior design also provides the unique opportunity of greater revenue potential by increasing the number of seats onboard from 137 to 143, without sacrificing Customer comfort and personal space but, at the same time, increasing under-seat room for carryon luggage.

Company Building Texas Wind Project that Will Serve Austin Energy Customers

The Duke Energy Foundation today awarded grants totaling $40,000 to help two Austin schools improve energy efficiency and provide job training.

February 2, 2012) During the week of February 6-12, 2012, representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) will be in the area of South Alamo, Texas, to speak with residents about the contamination in the Donna Reservoir and Canal. This effort is being made to provide local residents with information about the health risks of consuming fish taken from the Donna Reservoir and Canal. The possession of contaminated fish taken from the reservoir is prohibited by the TDSHS.