A Message from Chamber President Rick Aschieris:

Record see benefit of going green

May 2008  - Through the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce’s Green Team San Joaquin program, many area businesses have been able to go “full steam ahead” on both the environmental stewardship and cost reduction fronts throughout the City of Stockton and San Joaquin County.

The Green Team San Joaquin efforts have helped local businesses establish their own internal environmental committees. One of the better recent examples is The Record’s Green Team newsletter (April 2008) which clearly demonstrates their commitment to “go green.” In addition, staff members at The Record are regulars at our monthly Green Team San Joaquin meetings and work with Chamber staff on a regular basis to better our local environment.

The Record’s newsletter reflects the steps they are taking to go green. Here are some of their examples:

Circulation’s got it in the bag

You may have noticed the plastic bags The Record is delivered in look different. They not only have a greenish color but are also environmentally green. These are reprocessed poly bags that actually cost less than the ones circulation had been using. Since The Record uses more than 1 million plastic bags per year, this will not only help the environment but also save on production costs.

Driving it down

In the past year, Circulation has cut its delivery mileage by 59.34 percent from an average yearly mileage of 66,774 to 27,149. This was done through consolidation of drop points and the restructuring of department resources.

Keeping up with the Joneses

To read about what steps other newspapers are taking to go greener, check out the March cover story of the Newspaper Association of America’s online newsletter.

Peek at the paperless future

The Record now has an e-paper online with a 30-day searchable archive at www.stocktonrecord.ca.newsmemory.com.

Recycling in the newsroom

Here are some actions the newsroom is doing that we’re hoping will spread eventually throughout all departments at The Record.

Paycheck envelopes: Return envelopes so they can be reused the next payday. For the March 5 payday, 79 percent of newsroom paycheck envelopes were returned for reuse.

Paper reuse: Paper that has been used on one side is being placed in one newsroom printer for printouts for internal use. In January, the newsroom saved $91 by reusing paper.

Press kits: Information is often sent to the newsroom in special envelopes or folders. The envelopes are being reused, and folders are being given to groups such as Creative Child Care and Franklin High School journalism classes.

Ink cartridges: Spent cartridges are being given to schools, which gets money for them.

Recycle bins: Paper that was once thrown away is being gathered for recycling.

You can do it

According to the Aluminum Can Council, America recycled enough aluminum beverage cans last year to stretch to the moon and back eight times. “Let’s eclipse that mark with one small step for can,” the ACC writes.

Cordless electric lawn mowers:

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District is offering vouchers to trade in your old gas-powered lawn mower for a Neuton electric lawn mower at a huge discount. The program runs from April 22 to May 31, while supplies last. Go to www.valleyair.org or www.myneuton.com/sjvapcd for more information.