Solar-Powered Vending Machines Rent out Bicycle Helmets

      

        A Brooklyn-based company, known as Express Biker, has created a self-serve vending machine which helps cyclists in nearby communities purchase bike parts anytime in the day. The aim for this machine is primarily to help cyclists, who may be riding late at night or far distances from bike shops, in conveniently purchasing any biking needs. Examples of such is as follows: tubes, lights, co2, patch kits, various tools and parts.

       Following such an example, a Bostonian company, Helmethub, has also created a vending machine but it contains only bicycle helmets. Their aim is to help keep cyclists safe and without an excuse for riding helmet-less. In July, however, they are launching another vending machine with a twist: powered by solar energy.

         Each solar-powered vending machine holds 36 helmets and features a touchscreen panel like those on Hubway rental kiosks. Rentals costs approximately $2 and riders also hold the option to purchase one. The machine can dispense three different helmet sizes to make sure if the helmet fits the user properly. 

            When a cyclist is finished with using the helmet, the helmet is picked up by the team and sent back to Helmethub headquarters to be inspected and sanitized before being placed back into the vending machine. The machines, in addition, provides real-time information to the team so that they know when each machine needs to be restocked or used helmets need to be picked up. 

North Shore YMCAs in Washington undergo energy efficiency changes!

      After many years of studying and researching, the North Shore YMCA gymnasium of Washington has launched energy efficiency programs to improve standards of the organization's social responsibilities, to save money and, most importantly, to save energy. These programs are featured in a project, which is known as "Greening our Y," and the project is to be commenced in the following YMCA locations: Haverhill, Ipswich, Beverly, Salem, Marblehead, and Swampscott. The locations have actually been undergoing many changes in their buildings such as obtaining new pool covers, new solar panels, new efficient boilers, computerized lighting and heating control.
      YMCA CEO Jack Meany commented, "We think that in doing something like this it can be replicable for not only YMCA but other organizations as well. And we think that it's pretty innovative."
       A recent announcement has claimed that this project was devised three years ago, where YMCA had submitted a work proposal to 20 Energy Savings Corporations (ESCO) that work with organizations (such as YMCA) to help develop and create plans to make their buildings more energy efficient while they are guaranteed a payback in savings over a lengthy period of time. In the first ten years of the payback period, 85% of the savings will be accumulated towards the debt service owed to ESCO to developing the program and 15% of the savings will be towards the organization itself.