"I was watching trash burn, with children playing in it and women nursing their babies nearby," said Reece. "Once you see that you just know it's not right. We're shipping our trash into people's homes and now they have a toxic dump to live in."
After 25 years working in the computer industry, an industry as she put it, "not known for being green," Reece decided to revamp Reece Computer Systems, the consulting business she runs with husband Randy Reece, to be more environmentally conscious.
 Reece Computer Systems is moving into new offices at Shoreline Station and the owners have taken steps to be more environmentally conscious in the process. |
"We have a small child, and, like everyone else, we're worried about global warming and all the things happening to the environment," said Julie Shenkman, co-owner of Sam's Chowder House, another local company to embrace green business practices.
Two months ago, the Shenkmans installed 2,400-square-feet of solar panels on the roof of Sam's in El Granada. They also replaced all their incandescent bulbs with fluorescent bulbs to save energy. Their electricity bill was reduced by 40 percent, according to Julie's husband, Paul Shenkman.
In addition, the Shenkmans strive to serve primarily seafood that is fished in sustainable ways in the restaurant. Sam's also recycles cooking oil, donating it to Dave Eck of Half Moon Bay Auto Repair. Eck filters the oil with a special system he developed in his shop. He uses it to fuel his car and those of a few of his friends.
A few months after her realization on the beach in Kenya, Terri Reece and her husband spent their Hewlett-Packard stock options to renovate a new office space using ecologically friendly materials. They will be opening their new offices and retail store on Saturday, in the Shoreline Station building in Half Moon Bay.
On the floors they put in recycled bamboo flooring, recycled carpet, and Marmoleum, a linseed oil-based product that has no toxic emissions. They painted the walls with low- and no-emission paints. Some of the furniture is from Plexus, a company that uses reclaimed wood. The other furniture is second-hand, donated by a friend.
Reece said they wanted their new office space to reflect their values and show people what can be done with a commitment to green building practices.
"It's about the health of people in the space and the environment," said Reece. "This carpet would have gone into the landfill. Now it's here."
The Reeces also are increasing their commitment to recycling and reuse of computers and parts. Terri Reece recently dropped her recycling provider because she didn't think it was handling the waste responsibly.
"You give it to one guy and he gives it to another, but at the end of the food chain, it's a mystery," she said. She didn't want her trash ending up in some village in the developing world, so she is seeking a local processor.
But meanwhile, she still accepts old computers and accessories at her shop, at no charge. If the equipment is reusable, the company will refurbish it and give it to needy organizations and individuals for free. Anything else is recycled.
Reece believes in offering electronics recycling for free.
"It's our belief that people who will pay $100 for a bottle of wine will not pay $5 to recycle a computer," Reece said. "We want them to bring it to us and we'll take care of it responsibly. I see no reason for a good computer to go to a bad home, like a landfill."
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