The idea of sustainability took a stronger hold in Pennsylvania this year, as evidenced by our coverage. Expect these trends to continue in 2012.
1. Recycling doesn’t always mean putting old cans by the curb. Salvaging Creativity, a business in York, makes sculptures from scrap building material. Stores across the state sell used objects to crafters.
2. Traditional recycling still employs plenty of people: an estimated 52,000 Pennsylvania jobs, in fact. Companies like western PA electronics recycler eLoop planned to add to their payrolls. Also, Philadelphia added liquid cartons to the list of items it picks up for recycling.
3. Even food scraps and other organic waste can have a future. A lab at Harrisburg Area Community College converts this material into steam and useful byproducts. Near Erie, Welch's and Gannon University are designing a machine to turn grape waste into biomass.
4. Solar panels, already commonplace around Pennsylvania, appeared on a growing number of rooftops and fields. The 26-acre solar farm Snyder's-Lance had installed near its plant in Hanover is the state's largest.
5. Who doesn't want a lower utility bill? Companies and utilities found new ways to save customers money, like paying them to have their air conditioners turned off and designing concrete that reflects more heat.
Writer: Rebecca VanderMeulen
