1.12.2007 - 07:00am ET

(CSRwire) San Francisco, CA-- January 11, 2007-- Creating a recycling program at the office, setting the library computers to default to two-sided printing, and changing the lighting in campus buildings to be Energy Star compliant are all ideas that can positively impact the environment.

To inspire new ways of being “green,” Net Impact, an international nonprofit organization committed to improving the world by growing and strengthening a network of business professionals, MBAs, and graduate students, has launched the first-ever “Green Challenge.” The “Green Challenge” will reward and recognize environmentally friendly initiatives and programs developed for and by Net Impact’s more than 3,500 members and 130 student and professional chapters located on five continents in more than 80 cities and 80 graduate schools around the world. The inaugural “Green Challenge” competition is being sponsored by Seventh Generation, the leading brand of non-toxic household products.

“We are excited to launch a contest to showcase our members’ leadership and creativity in tackling environmental issues,” said Liz Cutler Maw, Executive Director for Net Impact. “The students and professionals involved in the ‘Green Challenge’ are taking a business approach to improving the environmental sustainability of their institution. We hope their ideas and efforts will inspire and motivate other campuses and workplaces to follow.”

The Green Challenge is accepting submissions from Net Impact members between January 1, 2007 and June 1, 2007. All projects will be evaluated by a group of “Green Challenge” judges based on the following criteria:

Stakeholder engagement process (15%).

“Seventh Generation is honored to be a part of the Green Challenge,” said Jeffrey Hollender, President & Chief Inspired Protagonist of Seventh Generation. “We’ve seen first hand what the passion and dedication of students can do to bring about meaningful change. The future is in their hands, and more than most, they are willing to accept it. They don’t look back—they look forward.“

“Green Challenge” winners will receive the following: $1000 cash (50% to winner and 50% going to Net Impact Chapter or nonprofit of choice); a lunch meeting with Jeffrey Hollender, Founder and CEO of Seventh Generation; and recognition of project success on the Net Impact website.

To learn more about getting involved in the Campus Greening Initiative, Impact at Work, and the “Green Challenge” visit http://www.netimpact.org/cgi and http://www.netimpact.org/impactatwork.

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About Net Impact:
Net Impact, headquartered in San Francisco, CA, is an international nonprofit membership organization comprised of new leaders who are committed to using the power of business to improve the world. Its network spans the globe with more than 130 student and professional chapters on 5 continents in 80 cities and 100 graduate schools. Members believe that business can both earn a profit and create positive social change. Net Impact offers a portfolio of programs to help members transform this ideal into measurable results. For more information, visit Net Impact's web site at www.netimpact.org.

Net Impact’s Campus Greening Initiative (CGI) is a program designed to help Net Impact student members put their beliefs into action through campus environmental sustainability efforts. The goals of CGI are for students to use business skills to improve their universities’ impact on the environment as well as to raise awareness of environmental problems and solutions among emerging business leaders.

Net Impact’s Impact at Work Initiative was created for members not working in traditional CSR roles, but still wanting to make a difference in their company. This unique program empowers individuals to make a difference in the way their company does business.

About Seventh Generation:
For 18 years, the closely held Burlington, Vermont company has been at the forefront of a cultural change in consumer behavior and business ethics. One of the country’s first self-declared “socially responsible” companies, Seventh Generation is committed to becoming the world’s most trusted brand of authentic, safe, and environmentally responsible products for a healthy home. Seventh Generation markets and distributes through natural food stores, supermarkets, on-line stores like Amazon.com and mail-order catalogs in the United States and Canada. For more information and to find store locations, visit www.seventhgeneration.com or the company blog at http://www.inspiredprotagonist.com

For more information please contact:

Andrea Davids, Marketing and Communications Manager
Net Impact
415-984-3300 313
www.netimpact.org

Chrystie Heimert
Seventh Generation
802-658-3773
www.seventhgeneration.com

For more CSR news and information from this organization:

Corporate Social Responsibility Profile for Net Impact

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