Winooski company recognized for environmental work

WATERBURY —Reuse and recycling, energy conservation measures, and use of an alternative fuel vehicle have led to state recognition for a local eBay drop-off and consignment store.

Global Garage Sale, in Winooski, has been recognized by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Small Business Development Center as an partner in the Vermont Business Environmental Partnership.

“What Global Garage Sale does is great for the environment — they help people place unwanted items into the hands of others who can use them, instead of into the landfill. But beyond this, Global Garage Sale had implemented many green practices throughout its operations,” said Chad Cliburn, the DEC’s partnership coordinator.

Noteworthy accomplishments include:

• Utilizing a cargo van that runs on compressed natural gas, resulting in 90 percent cleaner emissions when compared to using a gasoline engine;
• Encouraging its employees to carpool;
• Installing new thermo pane windows installed to become more energy efficient.
• Reusing much of the packing material and shipping boxes it receives from customers and helping other businesses by reusing their unwanted packing material (like styrofoam peanuts and bubble wrap) and cardboard boxes.

Additionally, Global Garage Sale donates leftover, unsold merchandise to Recycle North, a Burlington-based non-profit that manages reuse operations, giving the items another chance to be reused.

Global Garage Sale recycles much of its solid waste, including unusable cardboard, paper, plastic, and glass, and also “closes the loop” by purchasing recycled products like office paper and other paper products. But more importantly, Global Garage Sale has adopted an environmentally preferable purchasing policy whereby environmental impacts are considered during purchasing decisions.

“We’re honored and excited to be an environmental partner in such an important organization. Global Garage Sale will continue to look for ways to reduce our environmental impact on the earth,” said Peter Becker and Erik Holcomb, co-founders of Global Garage Sale, in a statement.

The Vermont Business Environmental Partnership is a voluntary, environmental assistance and business recognition program that is open to any Vermont business that proactively incorporates sound environmental management practices into their operations. To find out more, visit their website at www.vbep.org.

VHFA drops home mortgage loan interest rates

BURLINGTON — Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) has dropped the interest rate on a 30-year, no points, fixed-rate loan to 5.75 percent.

The new rate became effective Oct. 26.

"We strive to give our customers the lowest rates we possibly can," said Sarah Carpenter, VHFA’s executive director. "When market conditions permit, we always take the opportunity to lower rates. But those conditions change constantly, so we can never predict how long any rate will last. We can predict, however, that we will always be working to give our customers the best value we can."

VHFA offers a variety of mortgage loan products to qualified buyers, with different interest rates. Prospective borrowers should contact their local lenders for more details. A list of lenders that offer VHFA products is also available on the web at www.vhfa.org.

VHFA was created by the legislature in 1974 to finance and promote the development of affordable housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income Vermonters. Since it's inception, VHFA has helped more than 25,000 households with affordable mortgages and financed the creation of nearly 7,000 affordable rental units.

Posted October 27, 2006

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