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Optimizing Wind Power O&M

05.16.2012 - 04:26PM

With new wind installations in the US forecast to slow down beyond the end of 2012, the onus for optimizing the performance of existing assets has increased. Developers are looking at shifting more resources towards the O&M side of their business, whilst for OEMs, a softening sales market is enhancing the need for maintaining exceptional after-sales services and performance.

The 4th Annual Optimizing Wind Power O&M conference returns as an interactive and intimate setting for addressing your critical operational challenges, with a keen focus on real experiences and enhancement of O&M strategy.

The agenda is designed around the key factors that can improve the operational performance of your projects:

Are you involved with equipment that is coming out of warranty?
Can you share your experiences with implementing a predictive approach to maintenance?
Do you oversee a data analysis team that has achieved breakthroughs in advancing your wind asset management strategy?
Is your company achieving improved reliability and reductions in down-time?
Have you successfully conducted retrofits or repowering on older wind farms?

Confirmed speakers include:

Brian Hayes, Executive Vice President, Asset Operations, EDP Renewables, North America
Dan Brake, Technical Services General Manager, Renewables, NextEra Energy Resources
Gerrud Wallaert, Regional Operations Manager, Midwest / Northeast, E.ON Climate and Renewables
Jean Lemaire, Project Director, Akuo Energy
Dave Magill, Senior Vice President, Asset Management, Competitive Power Ventures
Todd Wynn, General manager of Wind Operations and Maintenance, Enel Green Power
Ryan McGraw, Head of Asset Management, Orion Renewable Energy Group
Steve Gilbert, Senior Manager Renewables O&M, Alliant Energy
Gabriel Vaca, Director, Asset Management, NaturEner
Valerie Peters, Wind Reliability Lead Analyst, Sandia National Laboratory

For more information visit our event website - http://www.greenpowerconferences.com/link/WE1209US.html?=csr

Sustainable Solutions: Scientists Honored for Greener Solvents Research

05.01.2012 - 10:39AM

Israeli Researchers Receive Glycerine Innovation Award for Studies on Glycerol and its Derivatives as Sustainable Solvents
Award, Sponsored by American Cleaning Institute and National Biodiesel Board, Presented at AOCS Annual Meeting

Research that shows how glycerol – a syrupy and sweet-tasting chemical by-product – can be used as a sustainable solvent in industrial cleaning applications is being honored with the 2012 Glycerine Innovation Award.

The yearly honor is sponsored by the American Cleaning Institute^® (ACI, formerly The Soap and Detergent Association) and the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and is presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS).

The 2012 Award recipients are Professors Dorith Tavor and Adi Wolfson from the Green Processes Center at Israel’s Sami Shamoon College of Engineering. The ACI/NBB Glycerine Innovation Award recognizes outstanding achievement for research into new applications for glycerine, with particular emphasis on commercial viability.

Professor Wolfson said he and his colleagues have been researching how glycerol and its derivatives can be used as sustainable solvents in industrial applications.

“The sustainability of a chemical process is derived from its materials and energy consumption, reaction performance, and separation procedures,” said Professor Wolfson. “As organic chemistry is traditionally carried out in solution, and as solvents are responsible for a large part of the waste and pollution generated by chemical processes, a key factor to enabling a sustainable chemical process is solvent selection.”

Professor Wolfson noted that glycerol is known to be a non-toxic, non-hazardous, non-volatile, biodegradable, and recyclable liquid produced as a by-product in the transesterification of oil from renewable sources.

“Glycerol has been successfully employed as a sustainable solvent in a wide variety of organic reactions and synthesis methodologies, showing its versatility as a solvent for organic synthesis,” said Wolfson. “Success in utilizing glycerol as a solvent for industrial process – such as production of fine chemicals for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, and a variety of additional industrial processes – can lead to processes that are environmentally sustainable yet economically efficient.

“Our research may lead to cleaner industrial processes and reduced pollution. Use of glycerol based solvents can reduce the environmental footprint of chemical processes and may replace solvents that are not manufactured from renewable sources, and which are not sufficiently cost effective, green, or simple to use.”

The award includes a plaque and a $5,000 honorarium. It was presented at the AOCS Industrial Oil Products Division luncheon during the 2012 AOCS Annual Meeting in Long Beach, California.

The American Cleaning Institute^® (ACI - formerly The Soap and Detergent Association) is the Home of the U.S. Cleaning Products Industry® and represents the $30 billion U.S. cleaning products market. ACI members include the formulators of soaps, detergents, and general cleaning products used in household, commercial, industrial and institutional settings; companies that supply ingredients and finished packaging for these products; and oleochemical producers. ACI (www.cleaninginstitute.org) and its members are dedicated to improving health and the quality of life through sustainable cleaning products and practices.

Biodiesel is the first and only commercial-scale fuel used across the U.S. to meet the Environmental Protection Agency's definition as an Advanced Biofuel. It is a renewable, clean-burning diesel replacement that can be used in existing diesel engines and meets a strict ASTM fuel specification. Made from an increasingly diverse mix of resources such as agricultural oils, recycled cooking oil and animal fats, it is produced in nearly every state in the country. The biodiesel industry supports 39,000 American jobs. The National Biodiesel Board is the industry trade association.

Seventh Generation Marks 1st Anniversary of Pioneering USDA Biobased Certification

04.26.2012 - 11:57AM

(Marketwire) - Seventh Generation, the nation's most trusted brand of environmentally-friendly household and personal care products, is celebrating the one-year anniversary of the USDA Certified Biobased label and its first-in-the-nation certification of 13 of the company's key offerings. To commemorate the event, the company announced its intention to ensure that all eligible formulated products will be 100% USDA Biobased Certified by 2020.

The USDA BioPreferred® program's voluntary labeling initiative helps consumers easily identify biobased goods made in whole or significant part from sustainable agricultural, forestry, and/or marine raw materials rather than nonrenewable materials like those obtained from petroleum. Products that meet or exceed the standards established for their specific category receive official certification and may display the USDA Certified Biobased Product label on their products. All biobased content claims are verified by independent labs and monitored by the USDA and ASTM International so consumers can trust the label's accuracy and every buying decision based on it.

The biobased product certification and labeling initiative, which was launched last year as a new part of USDA's BioPreferred program, initially certified 13 Seventh Generation products from the company's bathtub cleaner and dish soap to its laundry liquid, which uses a revolutionary new 100% plant-based surfactant.

"We think biobased certification has the huge potential to break through what's become a clutter of green seals and certifications that just end up confusing consumers," said Chris Miller, the company's Director of Corporate Consciousness. "The label cuts to heart of the matter with a single glance that tells shoppers this is a product made from renewable materials that can be produced sustainably. It simplifies the often bewildering marketplace for so-called eco-friendly consumer products in the same way the USDA Organic seal has brought clarity to our food purchases."

Not only is the label a good idea whose time has come, the idea it represents -- that products manufactured from renewable natural components and ingredients make a crucial contribution to a healthier world -- is more critical than ever. It's for this reason that Seventh Generation is marking the first anniversary of the USDA program by announcing its commitment to biobased products.

"We are very pleased to celebrate the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label anniversary with Seventh Generation," said Kate Lewis, USDA BioPreferred Program deputy manager. "Biobased products help meet consumer demand to supplement or replace a wide variety of petroleum-based products. The companies we work with, who apply for the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label, understand the value of the BioPreferred program in promoting their biobased products as well as helping create jobs in rural communities by adding value to agricultural commodities."

About Seventh Generation

Seventh Generation is committed to being the most trusted brand of household and personal-care products for your living home. The company derives its name from the Great Law of the Iroquois Confederacy that states, "In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations." For information on Seventh Generation cleaning, paper, baby and feminine personal care products, to find store locations, and explore the company's website visit www.seventhgeneration.com. To read more about Seventh Generation's corporate responsibility, visit the company's Corporate Consciousness Report.

About USDA BioPreferred

The USDA BioPreferred program was created by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (2002 Farm Bill), and expanded by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill). The purpose is to increase the purchase and use of biobased products. The United States Department of Agriculture manages the program. Products that meet the USDA BioPreferred program requirements carry a distinctive label for easier identification by the consumer. To learn more about the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label please visit www.biopreferred.gov, and follow on Twitter at http://twitter.com/BioPreferred.

BASF Gives Seattle Mariners Green Boost to Launch 'Sustainable Saturdays' at Safeco Field

04.23.2012 - 05:38PM

On April 21 - Earth Day Weekend - one of the greenest clubs in major league baseball teams up with BASF, The Chemical Company, to inspire its fans to follow its lead and start striking out landfills at home. Well on their way to batting 1.000 in their zero-waste program, the Seattle Mariners currently divert more than 80 percent of their waste stream away from landfills into composting and recycling centers.

The Saturday, April 21 Mariners-Chicago White Sox matchup marks the launch of “Sustainable Saturdays, a season-long program at Safeco Field to promote the kind of environmentally-conscious practices that have earned the club the prized position of number one in energy efficiency and number two in recycling in Major League Baseball.

The first 10,000 fans to arrive at the ballpark on Earth Day Weekend will receive a free “Kitchen Catcher” compost kit, compliments of BASF, Ecosafe, and Seattle Public Utilities (SPU). Inside are five compostable bags produced with BASF’s Ecovio® biodegradable polymers.
This weekend’s game also marks the launch of the BASF Kid Compost Trivia game where fans compete for a chance to win an Amazon Kindle Fire and appear live on the centerfield video board at the end of the seventh inning.

“When we realized that the bulk of what we were sending to the landfill was organic matter, the answer was obvious,” says Scott Jenkins, Vice President of Ballpark Operations for the Seattle Mariners. “Turn it back into topsoil. Our zero-waste program has gone from batting .120 just five years ago to .810 today. To help fans follow our lead this Earth Day Weekend, we’re giving away 10,000 kitchen compost kits including everything they need to get going. With the help of our fans, we aim to make 2012 the most sustainable Mariners’ season ever.”

The Kitchen Catcher will include a countertop container, five Ecosafe compostable liners, SPU coupons for Cedar Grove compost and savings towards the purchase of Ecosafe bags -- plus simple steps to help fans follow the team’s green lead.

At each of the 10 Sustainable Saturday games, at the end of the first inning, the public address announcer will invite fans to play the BASF Kid Compost Trivia Game and test their knowledge about sustainability at Safeco field and the Seattle area. Trivia questions will be broadcast on the centerfield video board. Fans do not have to be eco-experts to win because all of the answers are provided at 16 zero-waste stations throughout the concourse, where they will also find the short code to text their answer for their chance to win. The winner will be drawn at random from all the correct answers.
At each zero waste station, volunteers from Camp Fire USA’s Teen Leadership Program will be standing by to teach fans how to strike out the landfill on their visit to Safeco Field and encourage them to do the same at home. Then, in the bottom of the seventh inning, Kid Compost, one of the Mariners’ eco-mascots, will present the winning fan with a Kindle Fire broadcast live on the centerfield screen.

“Sustainable Saturdays at Safeco are about showing Mariners’ fans how we can all live more sustainably,” said Chris Bradlee, Biodegradable Polymers - Market Development Manager, North America, BASF, who will be on hand to throw out the first pitch at this Saturday’s Earth Day Weekend game. “The Mariners are already doing a great job conserving water, natural gas, and electricity, recycling waste, and using renewable energy at Safeco Field. Now, we’re helping them engage their fans to do the same at home.”

Mariners - Safeco Field, a green ballpark

81 percent recycling rate

Since 2006:
• 45 percent reduction in natural gas usage
• 30 percent reduction in electricity usage over 5 years
• 25 percent reduction in water usage over 5 years

All office copy paper is 100 % post-consumer.

All restroom paper is 100% recycled and minimum of 65% post-consumer.

Utilize green cleaning practices including 98% of cleaning products purchased green certified.

168 solar panels generating 40,000 kW hours per year.

Cut electrical use in garage in half via a relighting project.

Installed 4 electric vehicle recharging stations.

Amazon, Kindle, Kindle Fire, the Amazon Kindle logo and the Kindle Fire logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Ecovio is a registered trademark of BASF SE.

BASF - The Chemical Company
BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 16,000 employees in North America, and had sales of $19.9 billion in 2011. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.us.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success, social responsibility and environmental protection. Through science and innovation we enable our customers in almost all industries to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and system solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring healthy food and nutrition and helping to improve the quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF posted sales of about €73.5 billion in 2011 and had more than 111,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

Vapur Celebrates Earth Month by Expanding Partnership with Recyclebank

04.23.2012 - 04:44PM

When Vapur® introduced its innovative “Anti-Bottles” in 2009, not only was the company looking to make waves with its bold, trendy and versatile design, but Vapur also wanted to change the way consumers, well, consumed. Right out the gate, Vapur planted its roots deeply in environmental causes, and is expanding these efforts through an enhanced partnership with Recyclebank®.

Recyclebank helps create a more sustainable future by rewarding people for taking everyday green actions with discounts and deals at more than 3,000 local and national businesses. Through digital offerings and partnerships with municipalities, haulers, small businesses and corporate brands, Recyclebank aims to increase recycling rates, curb energy and water consumption, encourage smarter transportation, strengthen local economies and help people realize the financial benefits of making greener choices every day.

Intrigued by Recyclebank's unique platform and motivated by the organization’s brand mission, Vapur is proud to participate in four of Recyclebank’s earth-conscious campaigns throughout the year, which include: World Water Week, Earth Month, Back to School and Holidays. During these campaigns, Recyclebank members receive a “buy one, get one free” offer for Vapur’s internationally acclaimed Anti-Bottles.

Vapur first partnered with Recyclebank in January, participating in Recyclebank’s standard rewards program that offers Recyclebank members a 20-percent discount on www.vapur.us. This standard reward will continue throughout the year, running simultaneously with Recyclebank’s the earth-conscious campaigns. The success of the program and Vapur’s commitment to Recyclebank’s mission prompted Vapur to expand its support of the organization. By partnering with like-minded companies, such as Recyclebank, Vapur can support its key mission while also sharing its message with more users and consumers.

“Each year more than 38 billion single-use water bottles end up in U.S. landfills,” says Jason Carignan, chief design officer and co-founder of Vapur. “Though the adoption of reusable water bottles has grown rapidly over the past few years, it has done little to stem the flow of plastic bottle waste. We can further promote our message of sustainability through our partnership with Recyclebank, and we are honored to be part of their larger action toward everyday conscious consumption.”

Vapur believes that a key reason for the lack of impact reuseable bottles has made on the quantity of disposable bottles in landfills is due to the inconvenience of toting a bulky rigid water bottle around on a daily basis. With this thought in mind, the incredible team at Vapur came up with the genius idea behind the Anti-Bottle. Vapur hopes, the convenience, design and affordability of the Anti-Bottle will compel consumers to change their behavior and adopt a new habit of more sustainable portable water consumption.

“At Recyclebank, we’re always searching for like-minded companies to partner with and together encourage people to be more conscious of how they consume and dispose of products every day,” said Sue Igoe, senior vice president of Account Management for Recyclebank. “We are thrilled that Vapur has expanded its partnership with us for 2012. Vapur’s unique and innovative Anti-Bottles are a great fit for our members, who want to make smart choices for their families that are also eco-conscious at the same time.”

All Vapur Anti-Bottles are manufactured in the United States and use less energy to make and transport than traditional bottles, and produce significantly less waste in our landfills. The Anti-Bottle is a unique and novel hydration collection that underscores the company’s vision and leadership in design.

“Live Flexible” with the Vapur community; follow Vapur on Facebook or join the conversation on Twitter.

About Vapur, Inc.
Founded in 2009, California-based Vapur, Inc. is on a mission to make hydration incomparably portable and convenient. As the leading designer, marketer and distributor of reusable, handheld, collapsible hydration products. Vapur’s complete line of Anti-Bottles® have been adopted by athletes, outdoor enthusiasts, celebrities, green activists, government agencies, fashion gurus, and families alike. Vapur’s ultra-durable Anti-Bottles® are proudly made in the USA, BPA-free, freezable and dishwasher-safe. Vapur is privately held, with products available in 13 countries worldwide and contributes a portion of all sales to water-related and environmental causes. For more information, visit www.vapur.us and as always, “Live Flexible.”

About Recyclebank
Recyclebank helps create a more sustainable future by rewarding people for taking everyday green actions with discounts and deals from more than 3,000 local and national businesses. Through its online platform and partnerships with municipalities, haulers, small businesses and corporate brands, Recyclebank is empowering individuals to make a collective impact on the environment by increasing household recycling, reducing household energy usage and taking other environmentally-preferred actions. A Certified B Corporation, Recyclebank has been recognized as a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum, a Champion of the Earth by the United Nations Environment Programme and for Outstanding Excellence in Public/Private Partnerships from the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Recyclebank is headquartered in New York City. For more information, visit http://www.Recyclebank.com.

This Earth Month, Seventh Generation Empowers You to Make a Difference With a Live Like The Lorax Sweepstakes

04.21.2012 - 08:48AM

This Earth Month, the leading brand of green and eco-friendly household and personal care products, Seventh Generation, is inspiring people across the country to make a difference in their own communities through the Live Like The Lorax Sweepstakes.

The sweepstakes, hosted on Seventh Generation's Facebook page, asks users to "like" the Seventh Generation page and provide their contact information in order to be entered to win the Green Your Town Makeover prize package. The prize package includes:

$5,000 for a Green Home Makeover from Gaiam.com
$5,000 for a Green School Library in their community
500 Seventh Generation Green Cleaning Starter Kits for their neighbors

The sweepstakes also consists of a weekly prize, where 500 winners will win Green Home Starter Kits, including Seventh Generation's eco-friendly cleaning products.

The Lorax speaks for the trees and Seventh Generation acts for them and wants to empower others to do the same. If every household in the U.S. replaced just one 12-pack of 300-sheet virgin fiber bathroom tissue with Seventh Generation's 100% recycled bathroom tissue, we could save 1,900,000 trees.

"The Lorax was created to inspire and at Seventh Generation, we're here to help turn that inspiration into reality," says Chris Miller, director of Corporate Consciousness at Seventh Generation. "Not everyone has the resources to take on a major green initiative within their community, so it is our hope that this promotion is a start in providing individuals with the inspiration and tools they need to do so -- we hope it will help people understand that one small change done by many can make a big difference."

The Green Your Town Sweepstakes runs through on July 31, 2012.

About Seventh Generation

Seventh Generation is committed to being the most trusted brand of household and personal-care products for your living home. Our products are healthy solutions for the air, surfaces, fabrics, pets and people within your home -- and for the community and environment outside of it. Seventh Generation also offers baby products that are safe for your children and the planet. The company derives its name from the Great Law of the Iroquois Confederacy that states, "In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations." Every time you use a Seventh Generation product you are making a difference by saving natural resources, reducing pollution, and making the world a better place for this and the next seven generations.

For information on Seventh Generation cleaning, paper, baby and feminine personal care products, to find store locations, and explore the company's website visit www.seventhgeneration.com. To read more about Seventh Generation's corporate responsibility, visit the 2010 Corporate Consciousness Report.

Legrand | Ortronics Continues to Innovate With EZ Patch: a Revolution in Patch Cord Dispensing

04.19.2012 - 09:44AM

(Marketwire) - Legrand | Ortronics, a global leader in high performance network infrastructure solutions, is proud to introduce EZ Patch, a new, environmentally friendly product innovation for dispensing patch cords. The patent pending patch cord management solution is designed to dispense cords quickly and easily, reducing installation time and waste and improving staging area organization. There are no bags to open, tie wraps to undo or straightening necessary.

EZ Patch uses an innovative clip to connect patch cords together, allowing cords to be distributed over an internal cardboard reel and fed through the front box opening. The corrugated cardboard box and internal dispensing reel are made from 100% recyclable materials, and the clip is made from 25% regrind plastic. Each of these components is fully recyclable after use, making the EZ Patch solution a contributor towards LEED certification.

The EZ Patch solution contains Ortronics^® Clarity^® 6 or 5E patch cords in a variety of standard lengths and colors. Clarity 6A patch cords will be available soon. All Clarity cords are factory tested to TIA/EIA 568C.2 component specifications for Category 6a, 6 and 5e.

Legrand | Ortronics continues their commitment to sustainable business practices as part of their corporate strategy, setting an example of best practices for environmentally responsible corporate behavior. At Legrand | Ortronics eco-friendly product designs take into account the total energy consumption, the impact on the carbon footprint and the choice of materials used during production. The manufacturing and distribution of our products reflect the Legrand | Ortronics core value of continuous improvement and a commitment to a more sustainable product portfolio.

To watch our video and learn more about the EZ Patch solution visit http://www.legrand.us/ezpatch.

Background for Editors

Legrand | Ortronics (www.legrand.us/ortronics), headquartered in New London, Connecticut, USA, is a global leader in high performance network infrastructure solutions, offering a complete range of Category 5e, 6 and 6a copper, fiber optics and Layer Zero^® physical support solutions, including Cablofil^® wire mesh cable tray and Wiremold^® pathways.

About Legrand

Legrand is the global specialist in products and systems for electrical installations and information networks where people live and work. Its comprehensive offering of solutions for use in commercial, industrial and residential markets makes it a benchmark for suppliers worldwide. Innovation for a steady flow of new products with high added value is a prime vector for growth. Legrand reported sales of $5.7 billion in 2010. Legrand has a strong presence in the North American market, with a portfolio of products that includes Cablofil, Electrorack, On-Q, Ortronics, Pass & Seymour, Vantage, Watt Stopper and Wiremold. The company is listed as (PARIS: LR) on NYSE Euronext and is a component stock of indexes including the SBF120, FTSE4Good, MSCI World and ASPI. In 2010, Legrand was added to the DJSI as well (ISIN code FR0010307819). www.legrand.us

First-Ever Digital Media Platform Devoted to Clean Technology Launched

04.17.2012 - 08:30AM

Future360, the first-ever digital media platform dedicated exclusively to cleantech innovation, has launched at www.future360.tv. Hosted by acclaimed TV personality Sarah Backhouse, the platform’s premium video content covers the cleantech spectrum including energy, water, buildings, transportation, smart cities and more.

Cleantech thought leaders such as Henrik Fisker of Fisker Automotive, and Carlos Coe of Xtreme Power, as well as green activists such as actor and HBO star, Wendell Pierce, are featured in segments of 5 minutes or less. The platform’s topic coverage is as broad as its geographic coverage– which traverses the world, from Silicon Valley to Munich-- and uncovers cutting-edge clean technologies and innovative business models that are transforming the way we live, work, commute and power a more sustainable future.

Backhouse, who has worked for a diverse array of broadcasters including: CNBC, BBC, PBS, Discovery Channel and Planet Green, and presented with Al Gore on 24 Hours of Reality, said “after many years working as a TV host and producer I wanted to use my talent for storytelling and apply it to an area with the greatest potential to make a significant positive impact on the planet. This area was clean technology. It helps that I’m consumed by the subject and I was anxious to find a way to make my passion my profession.”

Welcome to Future360 video clip: Showcasing the world's cutting-edge cleantech innovation

Future360 was created to champion cleantech innovation by visually and simply communicating how these new, and often complicated, technologies work, why they are important, their applications and impact on the future. “We at Future360 believe new, innovative technologies can perform better than conventional ones, at less cost, while conserving precious resources,” said Ms. Backhouse. “I want to raise the visibility of the incredible work that’s happening in this sector. Video is the perfect medium to illustrate this. It allows us to more effectively communicate how sophisticated technologies work, and the profound impact they have on the planet. We want our content to engage and excite industry stakeholders and demystify cleantech for consumers.

As part of its redesign, the site is now offering exclusive sponsorship opportunities to corporations and other organizations seeking to increase brand awareness in the cleantech space or promote their cleantech initiatives. With an aggregate 25 million views per month (combined with partner sites), Future360 sponsorships are ideal for corporations seeking to reach a highly targeted audience of cleantech-focused private equity and VC firms, business leaders, early adopters, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Over the next year, Future360 plans to explore strategic partnerships and alliances with government, non-profit and business, and expand its content geared to consumers.

For more information on Future360, please visit: www.future360.tv

For more information on Sarah Backhouse, please visit: www.sarahbackhouse.com

Prepay Energy’s Pathway to Consumer Satisfaction and Benefits

02.29.2012 - 10:45AM

EcoAlign, a strategic marketing agency in the energy sector, released the findings today of a consumer survey testing customer awareness and acceptance of prepay electricity offerings in Texas and Arizona, the two states with the most consumers currently on prepay electricity plans. Nine hundred consumers in those two states responded to the survey conducted in November 2011.

“While still a nascent offering, prepay electricity shows promise for high satisfaction among the consumers that choose to use it,” stated Cindy O’Dwyer, Vice President of DEFG EcoAlign and project lead for the Prepay Energy Working Group. “The survey results show consumers in Texas and Arizona strongly associate prepay electricity with increased control and management, which day-to-day translates to greater flexibility and the potential to use less energy and save money. Research shows that convenience and control are leading drivers for customer satisfaction with prepay services.”

The top line findings from EcoPinion No. 14 include:

The top reasons consumers would enroll in a prepay electric service plan are: “control over energy costs and budget” (46 percent), “prefer to pay for energy as you use it” (37 percent), and “want to reduce energy use and monitor closely” (32 percent)
Consumers think the most important features of a prepay electric service plan are: “using less energy and saving money” (33 percent), “avoiding fees” (25 percent) and “helps manage my budget better” (24 percent)
When asked for one word to describe prepay electric service, “convenient” was mentioned the most by far. Other terms mentioned at lower levels were: “interesting,” “easy,” and “savings”
When asked for one word to describe the biggest concern regarding prepay electric service, the most frequently-mentioned were: “cost,” “price,” “overpaying,” and “expensive.”
When asked to rate their concerns, consumers pointed to: “service disconnect/electricity going off when my prepay account balance runs out” (53 percent), “price/higher rates” (48 percent), “fees associated with prepay” (43 percent), “expiration of credits over time” (37 percent), “knowledge/awareness of my account status” (35 percent)

EcoAlign is making the report available to the public at no charge on its website: www.ecoalign.com

EcoAlign is the energy and environment marketing agency and a wholly-owned affiliate of DEFG LLC.

Grower’s Secret Announced as Certified B Corporation

02.15.2012 - 08:00AM

Grower’s Secret™ (www.growerssecret.com), a Hawaii-based company specializing in organic, eco-friendly fertilizers and plant aids, announces today that the company has received certification as a B Corporation by B Lab. Certified B Corporations meet higher standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. Grower’s Secret exemplifies B Lab standards, encouraging sustainable growing practices with products that are easily integrated into traditional and organic methods, and benefit growers, populations, and the environment.

“Receiving this certification from B Lab was really important to us as it enhances our business practices and reinforces the purpose of our brand,” said Chaz Berman, CEO, Grower’s Secret. “We are proud to be a Certified B Corporation and take pride in the work this organization does to ensure we positively impact our employees, suppliers, community, and the environment.”

Similar to a LEED certification for buildings, B Lab certifies B Corporations based on comprehensive and transparent social and environmental performance standards, higher legal accountability standards, and business constituency for public policies that support sustainable business.

More than 400 Certified B Corporations nationwide represent 50 industries, which make up a diverse multi-billion dollar marketplace. In October, California passed legislation to allow businesses to set up as Benefit Corporations, which provides them protected legal status to pursue not only profitability, but impact in environmental sustainability and social responsibility.

About B Corp
Certified B Corporations 1) meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance; 2) legally expand their corporate responsibilities to include consideration of stakeholder interests; and 3) build collective voice through the power of the unifying B Corporation brand. As of July 2011, there are over 425 Certified B Corporations from over 50 industries, representing a diverse multi-billion marketplace.

About B Lab
B Lab is a nonprofit organization dedicated to using the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. B Lab drives systemic change through three interrelated initiatives: 1) building a community of Certified B Corporations to make it easier for all of us to tell the difference between “good companies” and just good marketing; 2) accelerating the growth of the impact investing asset class through use of B Lab’s GIIRS impact rating system by institutional investors; and 3) promoting supportive public policies, including creation of a new corporate form and tax, procurement, and investment incentives for sustainable business.

About Grower’s SecretGrower’s Secret offers a complete collection of organic products for home gardeners and commercial farmers that are patented in 157 countries. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.growerssecret.com; or use the company’s toll free phone number: (888) 217-9426.

Blue Marble(TM) Brands Joins the EcoBonus(R) Collect & Earn Coalition(R)

02.14.2012 - 12:45PM

EcoBonus^® today announced that Blue Marble^TM Brands has joined its eco-conscious customer rewards program as a Founding Reward Partner. Blue Marble is a family of brands that includes such popular natural and organic lines as Rising Moon Organics^® and Woodstock™. EcoBonus members will soon be able to earn points for buying participating Blue Marble products, including frozen organic fruits and vegetables, raviolis, nut butters, artisan-style pizzas, and much more.

“We’re proud to feature Blue Marble Brands as an EcoBonus Reward Partner,” said Tiger Beaudoin, founder of EcoBonus. “Blue Marble’s mission to inspire the public aligns perfectly with our goal of educating, recognizing, and rewarding consumers for making better food choices.”

“Ecobonus is a great fit for us,” said Chris Jensen, director of marketing for Blue Marble Brands. “The collect and earn program is really just the beginning. The ability to raise awareness of our brand, incentivize trial, and then reconnect with those consumers via the platform offers us tremendous opportunity. EcoBonus is a great gateway into the organic and natural products world.”

About EcoBonus

EcoBonus (www.ecobonus.com) is a rewards program for people who buy earth-friendly products. Its mission is to expand awareness of environmentally responsible products, empower people to make informed product decisions, and reward them for their eco-conscious purchases.

EcoBonus.com has a searchable database of 75,000 products that are more natural, eco-conscious, and/or socially responsible. Product details contain third-party ratings and certifications for attributes such as organic, fair trade, and non-GMO. Consumers can then decide which issues matter most to them and choose products based on the kind of impact they want to have—their EcoBonus. Members earn points by buying products from EcoBonus’s Reward Partners and can redeem those points for earth-friendly gifts.

EcoBonus was established on Earth Day 2010 and is a division of BI WORLDWIDE. Founded in 1950, BI WORLDWIDE is a privately held company with more than 1,000 associates located in Australia, Canada, China, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Learn more at www.biworldwide.com.

About Blue Marble

Blue Marble Brands is a collection of fourteen organic, natural, specialty, ethnic, and functional food companies. Blue Marble’s portfolio includes industry leading brands such as: Woodstock®, Tumaro’s Gourmet Tortillas^®, Rising Moon Organics^®, Natural Sea™, Fantastic World Foods™, Ines Rosales^®, Koyo, Mediterranean Organic™, Mt Vikos^®, AH!LASKA^®, A. Vogel^®, and Old Wessex™.

With more than 500 products either enrolled in or verified with the Non-GMO Project, Blue Marble is an industry leader in providing consumers with good foods from sources they can trust. Blue Marble Brands is an independent subsidiary of United Natural Foods (Nasdaq:UNFI). For more information, visit www.bluemarblebrands.com.

GTREE(TM) Set To Revolutionize Sustainable Label Offerings

02.07.2012 - 07:00AM

Following years of research, testing and development, G3 Enterprises is now offering GTREE™ – an environmentally sustainable, high-performance wine label paper which was developed for use on all bottling lines, including those utilizing high-speed and mobile bottling application equipment.

Manufactured from 100% Post-Consumer Recycled Fiber (100% PCW), GTREE™ has one of the greenest environmental footprints of any label stock currently offered. The GTREE™ label contains true recycled fiber consisting of sorted office paper that has had at least one useful life before being recycled. G3 Enterprises teamed with family-owned Monadnock Paper Mills, which is also known as a global environmental steward, to research and develop a 100% PCW label stock that could meet the rigors of bottling including tensile and tear strength, brightness, embossing and scuff resistance that is equal to or better than current paper stocks. Additionally, the GTREE™ label paper is specially designed with a unique formulation which results in increased resistance to water absorption allowing GTREE™ to maintain its premium appearance and high quality print aesthetics even when exposed to ice bucket conditions for prolonged periods.

“We are very excited to begin exclusively offering the GTREE™ label,” said Tom Gallo, Vice President of Strategic Development of G3 Enterprises. He added, “Not only will the label be visually appealing to all consumers, we know that it will easily meet the needs of both eco-conscious consumers and wineries.”

Among the many environment attributes, GTREE™ label stock is manufactured using 100% renewable electricity, is processed chlorine free, and is manufactured carbon-neutral. In addition, the fiber waste created during the manufacturing process is captured, processed and reused as compost for crops and bedding for livestock.

"The collaboration of two multigenerational family-owned businesses resulted in the development of the most cost effective, environmentally sound labels of the 21st century," said Richard Verney, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Monadnock. He added, "This is one great sustainable solution from two notable family trees."

Throughout an extensive research and field testing period, GTREE™ label has proven consistently reliable having been tested using all current labeling methods and systems and has the ability to run exceptionally well on today’s high speed bottling lines. GTREE™ is manufactured under certified ISO 9001 and 14001Quality and Environmental Management Systems.

“GTREE™ is a cost-competitive bright white, uncoated stock which offers excellent embossing and hot foil stamping performance,” said Fred Dale, G3’s Label Division’s senior manager for technical service and quality control. He added, “At G3, our commitment to quality and performance ensures that our GTREE™ label offerings meet and exceed our customers’ requirements for every application.”

For more information about GTREE™, visit www.G3Enterprises.com or come by G3 booth#443 at the Unified Wine and Grape Symposium on January 25-26 at Sacramento Convention Center.

About G3 Enterprises:

G3 Enterprises was founded by the third generation of the Gallo Family to serve the wine and spirits industry with quality packaging products and supply chain solutions. With a talented team of experts offering customers a variety of creative solutions and outstanding customer service, G3 Enterprises offers a wide range of supply chain assistance including labels, closures, transportation, warehousing, winery services and mobile bottling. For more information about G3 Enterprises Label division, visit: www.G3Enterprises.com or call 1-800-321-8747.

About Monadnock Paper Mills:

Monadnock Paper Mills is the oldest continuously operating paper mill in the United States. Owned and operated by the Verney family for the past 64 years, the company has received numerous awards for responsible environmental practices. The company is renowned for producing premium printing and packaging papers for many of the world’s leading consumer brands.

Change Is In The Air: Preserve Joins The B Corp Ranks

02.01.2012 - 12:05PM

Preserve is proud to have become a Certified B Corporation™, a new framework to evaluate corporations based on their social and environmental policies and performance. Preserve, the leading maker of sustainable household products including toothbrushes, razors, tableware and kitchen tools, is in good company. Preserve joins a committed community of over 500 other Certified B Corporations coming from over 60 industries from Biotechnology to Education, representing $3 billion in collective revenues and $6.5 billion in capital under management. This third party certification asserts Preserve’s continued commitment to social responsibility and a ‘better’ way of doing business.

"Becoming a B Corporation was a fabulously rewarding experience for us. It gave us the process and format to put structure around our social mission and affirm for our entire team the essential components of the underlying mission driving Preserve since our founding,” states Eric Hudson, Founder and CEO of Preserve.

Since forming in 1995, Preserve has stayed true to its mission – using recycled and sustainable materials to create products that have strong design and functionality, but are fundamentally safe for consumers and less impactful on the Earth. Preserve believes in empowering its employees, customers and all the people involved with the Preserve brand to approach purchases more responsibly. For example, Preserve products, which are made of recycled #5 plastic, are also designed for recyclability. Furthermore, Preserve encourages recycling by creating take back systems for its products at their end of life. Preserve is best known for recycling Stonyfield yogurt cups and making them into toothbrushes, and then encouraging its customers to send the brushes back to be recycled again. Preserve’s mission directly supports the corporate accountability implicit in becoming a Certified B Corporation including commitment to social impact and environmental stewardship.

Preserve worked on the certification process with B Lab, the non-profit organization who conceived of the methodology in 2006 and has been administering it ever since with companies seeking to bring social and environmental issues to the forefront. The process for Preserve to become certified involved undergoing the B Impact Assessment. This is an evaluation of the company in five key areas which provides a comparable measure across companies of social and environmental performance. The areas measured include accountability, employees, consumers, community and environment. Companies undergoing this assessment must earn an established minimum total of points to receive certification. Preserve passed this level, receiving high marks in accountability driven by strong governance and transparency. The impact of these measures is to drive these companies to have accountability for their social and environmental performance which in effect strengthens the greater community.

Preserve is coming together with other like-minded consumer products companies including Seventh Generation, Patagonia and Method to become Certified B Corporations. These companies are setting themselves apart and providing both clarity and transparency to consumers so they can make the informed choices about the brands they purchase.

“Preserve is ‘proof of concept’ for a new way of doing business. Preserve is a model for other companies due to its pioneering work in creating sustainable consumer products and bringing together like-minded companies to create recycling systems for their products,” says Jay Coen Gilbert, B Lab co-founder. “We created B Lab to inspire a new breed of company and set a new standard for corporate accountability. Preserve has done this since its inception, and we are proud to have certified Preserve as a B Corporation.”

To learn more about B Corp and see Preserve’s B Corp profile, visit www.bcorporation.net/preserve

About Preserve

Preserve is the leading sustainable consumer goods company and producer of stylish 100% recycled household products. Preserve turns yogurt cups into toothbrushes and take-out containers into tableware. Through innovations in recycled materials and sustainable design, Preserve has been creating more resourceful ways to make everyday products for the kitchen, table, and bath since 1996. The company is powered by the recycling efforts of individuals and companies via its Preserve Gimme 5 program. This program accepts #5 plastics, 98% of which are not normally recycled—such as yogurt cups and other common household containers— transforming them into new Preserve products. All recycling and manufacturing is done in the USA. Preserve pioneers partnerships with premier product design, manufacturing, and sales and marketing firms to bring together thought leaders to drive industry change. Preserve empowers people to make everyday choices that are better for the earth while offering real solutions without compromise. Preserve products can be found at forward-thinking retailers like Whole Foods Market, Amazon.com, Trader Joe’s, Wegman’s, and a variety of grocery and natural food stores. Visit us online at www.preserveproducts.com

About B Corp

Certified B Corporations 1) meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance; 2) legally expand their corporate responsibilities to include consideration of stakeholder interests; and 3) build collective voice through the power of the unifying B Corporation brand. As of January 2012, there are over 515 Certified B Corporations from over 60 industries, representing a diverse multi-billion marketplace.

About B Lab

B Lab is a nonprofit organization dedicated to using the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. B Lab drives systemic change through three interrelated initiatives: 1) building a community of Certified B Corporations to make it easier for all of us to tell the difference between “good companies” and just good marketing; 2) accelerating the growth of the impact investing asset class through use of B Lab’s GIIRS impact rating system by institutional investors; and 3) promoting supportive public policies, including creation of a new corporate form and tax, procurement, and investment incentives for sustainable business.

Cascades Tissue Group Launches First-of-its-Kind, Unbleached, 100 Percent Recycled Bathroom Tissue

01.25.2012 - 10:54AM

North America’s fourth largest producer of towel and tissue paper, Cascades Tissue Group, today announced the launch of Cascades® Moka™ 100 percent recycled unbleached bathroom tissue, a first-of-its-kind product available to the Away-from-Home market in late August. Beige in appearance, Cascades Moka offers commercial purchasers the highest hygienic qualities and softness while significantly reducing the environmental impact associated with manufacturing a highly common, yet also single-use product. In addition to eliminating chemical whitening, Cascades’ value-added tissue product is made of a pulp mix composed of 100 percent recycled fiber, 80 percent of which is post-consumer material and 20 percent are recovered corrugated boxes. The product is also offset with 100 percent Green-e^®certified renewable wind electricity; saving 2,500 pounds of CO₂ emissions for each ton produced.

A detailed life cycle analysis (LCA) of the new pulp mix used in Cascades Moka, which was undertaken by the company, revealed a reduction in overall environmental impact by at least 25 percent when compared to the pulp mix used in the traditional Cascades 100 percent recycled fiber bathroom tissue. The latter had been regarded as the sustainable tissue exemplar in recent years but includes a chlorine-free whitening process for aesthetics.

Currently, 3.4 million¹ tons of bath tissue is used annually in the U.S., of which 53 percent is made from virgin fiber sources². Cascades estimates that if a complete swap was made to their environmentally preferable 100 percent recycled bath tissue, it would save annually 30.6 million trees and 68 million GJ of energy, which is equal to the annual consumption of 619,811 households³. The new pulp mix in the Cascades Moka innovation goes even further than the standard white recycled pulp because of its lower ecological footprint.

“Beige is the new green, at least as it relates to towel and tissue,” said Cascades Tissue Group CEO Suzanne Blanchet, who personally conceived and championed Moka bath tissue’s development. “The last several years have brought about countless habit changes meant to preserve the environment. The quality of this bath tissue hasn’t been sacrificed one bit, so adjusting to a new color seems like a small step to take for even greater sustainability.”

“There’s lots of talk about how the green movement has remained resilient in this tough economy, yet it’s easier to overlook how much of a trendsetter it’s also been in recalibrating views and tastes,” said Blanchet. “The change may seem radical to some, but at the end of the day, beige fits just as well in most commercial restroom décors and it certainly works much better for the health of our planet.”

Cascades started offering its Moka concept with the introduction of its Moka napkin line in the late ‘90’s. Commercial sales for the product have steadily increased year by year, as corporate purchasers and their employees and customers become more aware of its environmental benefits. In 2004, the Moka napkin line represented ten percent of its total away-from-home sales in North America whereas it now comprises over 23 percent of case sales.

The company believes that the commercial market will continue to serve as the first frontier for sustainable innovations, as people evolve their tastes and habits out in public before modifying behaviors at home.

Innovation Simplifies Production, Safeguards from Fiber Market Volatility
While the recycled bath tissue is still cleaned and de-inked, the elimination of the whitening process ultimately reduces manufacturing impact associated to the elimination of natural gas and whitening chemicals. Virgin pulp prices have more than doubled over the past three years, invoking price increases in recycled fiber as well. By expanding to varied and more fibers such as corrugated, Cascades believes it can hedge its products’ exposure to commodity price fluctuations and white fiber shortages outside its control, keeping tissue prices affordable in its served markets.

About Cascades Tissue Group
Cascades Tissue Group is a division of manufacturing and packaging leader Cascades, Inc. (CAS Toronto Exchange), a pioneer in recycled paper manufacturing. The division has 17 mills spread throughout North America, including 10 in the United States. Its towel and tissue products are generally considered single-use goods – a fact motivating Cascades to remain an industry model of forward-thinking manufacturing, sustainability and carbon avoidance. For more information about Cascades Tissue Group, visit www.afh.cascades.com or www.sustain.cascades.com

¹ US Tissue Production, Converted Product Shipments and Consumption (RISI June 2011).

² Metafore, The Fiber Cycle technical Document, Metafore Summary Report, March 2006.

³ Cascades Environmental Calculator and Environmental Paper Network, Paper Calculator (2011).

Social Media For Sustainability Professionals - Online Training Offered for 2012

01.05.2012 - 08:45AM

Strategic Sustainability Consulting (SSC) and Taiga Company have partnered to deliver a new training program devoted to equipping sustainability professionals with tools and best practices to grow their business with social media. This new program, called Social Media for Sustainability Professionals is an online, self-guided course that will deliver practical information that sustainability professionals need to:

Develop and promote your brand
Establish credibility and improve online visibility
Promote thought leadership
Engage with interested stakeholder groups
Drive targeted traffic to your website or blog
Develop direct relationships with prospects, clients, influencers in the sustainability / CSR space

“As a boutique sustainability consulting company, we’ve found that a strong social media presence has been invaluable,” said SSC President Jennifer Woofter. “Blogging, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn have been instrumental in connecting with our colleagues, establishing thought leadership, and bringing in new clients. In this program, we share all of the lessons we’ve learned along the way.”

Through video discussions, homework, and collaborative forum discussions, participants will gain new skills in:

Strategy: See tried-and-true examples of two different sustainability consulting firms successfully using social media to increase effectiveness and reach, brand visibility, sales and business partnerships.

Community Building: Learn how to grow your Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn profiles using social media, targeting the correct online communities and grow your business.

Design: Learn the in's and outs of what is best to do, what not to do, best practices, for website and blog design and functionality to best showcase your business, promote your brand, and share your content across multiple social media marketing channels.

Content: Learn to create and share engaging email content including: articles, blog posts, promotions, links, featured content, tweets, and winning subject lines.

Results: Create a comprehensive social media strategy aligned with your business goals including social media stats to measure the overall effectiveness of your online marketing.

Networking: Learn how to collaborate online with other sustainability practitioners, small and large businesses, nonprofits, NGO's, and associations, and exchange sustainability ideas and contribute powerfully in the sustainability, CSR space.

“Most sustainability professionals know they need to do more on social media, but lack the practical skills to be effective with their time,” said Taiga Company Principal Julie Urlaub. “This program focuses on quickly bringing sustainability practitioners up to speed on the most important social media platforms and teaches them how to get the biggest bang for their buck in terms of time and budget.”

Social Media for Sustainability Professionals is already receiving accolades from a variety of sustainability practitioners.

This course provided far more than just a primer on social media – it provoked me to think deeply about how to market my services. The need to think about what I want to communicate and the voice I want to use has really helped my career development!

--- L.F.B., Sustainability Consultant and LEED Green Associate

I really liked the course content and think it was a great idea and great collaboration. It’s definitely worth the price, even if you aren’t a sustainability professional and just want to learn more about social media for small business. I look forward to applying the lessons on my own business in 2012.

--- J.K.J., Sustainability Consultant and Small Business Owner

This is a fantastic program! Whether you are a sustainability professional or not, if you want to use social media tools to advance your business, this program is a must. I found all of it to be excellent, but particularly found the homework "assignments" useful. They make you apply what you have learned promptly, which aids in the retention process.

--- J.B., City of Golden, Colorado

About Strategic Sustainability Consulting

Strategic Sustainability Consulting provides under-resourced organizations with the tools and expertise needed to understand and manage their social and environmental impacts. Through sustainability assessments, green office auditing, supply chain management, stakeholder consultations, sustainability disclosure and social marketing, SSC helps organizations embrace their larger societal responsibilities and be the good corporate citizens to which they aspire. Find out more at www.sustainabilityconsulting.com.

About Taiga Company

Taiga Company is a sustainability social media consulting firm empowering companies to effectively engage with their key business sustainability stakeholders. Leveraging rapidly expanding socio/eco-passions and the power of today's social technologies, Taiga Company enables organizations to communicate, actively listen, and engage in purpose-driven conversation. Learn more about Taiga Company at www.TaigaCompany.com

Learn more about the program (and see free bonus videos) at: http://www.sustainabilityconsulting.com/sm-preview/

ECOVER Joins the EcoBonus Collect & Earn Coalition

12.21.2011 - 07:30AM

EcoBonus, the rewards program for people who buy earth-friendly products, proudly announced that ECOVER has become a Reward Partner. ECOVER was one of the first natural and nontoxic cleaning products to be sold in the U.S.

“I’m thrilled—and not just because ECOVER is the cleaning brand my family uses at home,” said Tiger Beaudoin, founder of EcoBonus. “We were introduced to ECOVER years ago while living in Europe, where the company pioneered eco-conscious cleaners, starting with some of the first phosphate-free products in the marketplace. Ecover’s tradition of innovation continues today as it adds EcoBonus rewards for consumers who choose to help minimize the impact of what goes down the drain and into our water supply. Protecting our waterways and aquatic life has always been a major priority at ECOVER, and it aligns perfectly with many of our members’ values.”

“We’re looking forward to working with EcoBonus”, said Kipling Wagner, Marketing Manager of ECOVER US. “We think our customers will really appreciate getting rewards for buying ECOVER and other eco-friendly products. EcoBonus will help us find more consumers who want to know about safe and effective cleaners, like ECOVER, that don’t negatively impact the environment.”

About EcoBonus

EcoBonus (www.ecobonus.com) is the first industry-wide initiative to encourage mainstream consumers to choose eco-conscious, natural, or socially responsible products. It provides a searchable database of 75,000 qualifying products, offers coupons and samples tailored to individual preferences, and rewards sustainable purchases with points. Participation is open to individuals, businesses, and groups—and pooling of points by schools and nonprofit organizations toward bigger rewards is encouraged. Interested manufacturers should call 612-276-2725. Consumers can follow EcoBonus on www.facebook.com/EcoBonus and Twitter @ecobonus.

EcoBonus is a division of BI WORLDWIDE. Founded in 1950, BI WORLDWIDE is a privately held company with more than 1,000 associates located in Australia, Canada, China, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Learn more at www.biworldwide.com.

About ECOVER

ECOVER, established in 1980, is the world leader in ecological cleaning products, with worldwide distribution. ECOVER, a Belgian company, offers a complete range of dishwashing, household cleaning, and laundry products using mineral- and plant-based ingredients. ECOVER is the winner of numerous international awards, including, most recently, the French Oscar for packaging for its 100% PlantPlastic bottles.

ECOVER’s products adhere to a five-point matrix that factors in the price, performance, and convenience of the products as well as the impact of their manufacturing on the environment and on consumer health. This means that ECOVER products have minimal environmental impact during and after use. Learn more at www.ECOVER.com.

Six Myths Busted by Organic in 2011

12.20.2011 - 01:19PM

Many will remember 2011 for the continued economic troubles, the lead-up to the 2012 presidential election, and unprecedented political demonstrations around the world and in our own backyards. As the year draws to a close, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) examines several myths about organic agriculture that were “busted” this year by researchers, the media and shoppers.

Myth #1: Organic is a niche market (Infographic)
Seventy-eight percent of U.S. families report they purchase...

Myth #2: U.S. consumers are ambivalent about GMOs (Video)
Nearly 350,000 consumers have written to the Commissioner...

Myth #3: Organic foods are too expensive for the average family (Blog feed, money-saving tips)
OTA offers strategies for consumers looking to enjoy the…

Myth #4: Organic farming can’t feed the world (Studies, expert perspectives)
An interdisciplinary team of researchers from several U.S. and…

Myth #5: Concern about agrichemicals is yesterday’s news (Downloadable research)
This spring, three independent, government funded studies…

Myth #6: The Jobless Recovery (Infographic)
Forty percent of companies in the organic sector hired full time…

The full story, including photos, graphics and other social media resources is available online.

About Organic Trade Association (OTA)

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America. OTA is the leading voice for the organic trade in the United States, representing over 6,500 organic businesses across 49 states. Its members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers' associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers and others. OTA’s Board of Directors is democratically elected by its members. OTA's mission is to promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public and the economy.

Peace Coffee Joins the EcoBonus Collect & Earn Coalition

12.19.2011 - 04:17PM

EcoBonus, the rewards program for people who buy earth-friendly products, proudly announced that Peace Coffee has become a Reward Partner. Peace Coffee was one of the first 100% fair trade and organic coffee roasters in the country and still imports its beans directly from small farming co-ops throughout the world. Careful buying, roasting, and blending are what give Peace Coffee’s 19 varieties their distinctive taste and exceptional quality.

“Peace Coffee is proof that exceptional products and care for the planet are not mutually exclusive,” said Tiger Beaudoin, founder of EcoBonus. “Consumers want to know more than what is or isn’t in the products they buy. They want to know about the social and environmental impact of those products. Peace Coffee offers products, information, and options for consumers who want to support companies that align with their values.”

“We’re delighted to join with EcoBonus in rewarding people for making healthy choices regarding themselves and the planet,” said Lee Wallace, CEO of Peace Coffee. “We love that EcoBonus will help us identify people who are passionate about Fair Trade. It makes our participation doubly rewarding.”

About EcoBonus
EcoBonus is the first industry-wide initiative to encourage mainstream consumers to choose eco-conscious, natural, or socially responsible products. It provides a searchable database of 75,000 qualifying products, offers coupons and samples tailored to individual preferences, and rewards sustainable purchases with points. Participation is open to individuals, businesses, and groups—and pooling of points by schools and nonprofit organizations toward bigger rewards is encouraged. Interested manufacturers should call 612-276-2725. Consumers can follow EcoBonus on www.facebook.com/EcoBonus and Twitter @ecobonus.

About Peace Coffee
Peace Coffee's mission is to make exceptional-tasting, organic, fair-trade coffee that sustains the livelihoods of the people who grow, roast, and sell it; preserves and protects the environment that produces it; and delights the taste buds of those who drink it. It believes in supporting the communities that support it. Peace Coffee trades fairly, pays small-scale farmers industry-leading prices, and pays its staff a living wage. Peace Coffee was founded as a project of the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, and a portion of its profits support its programs fostering sustainable food, farm, and trade systems. Learn more at www.peacecoffee.com.

Bullfrog Power(R) Becomes One of Canada's First Certified B Corporations

12.14.2011 - 09:00AM

Bullfrog Power, Canada’s 100 per cent green energy provider, announced today that it has received certification as one of Canada’s Founding B Corporations by B Lab, a nonprofit organization working to build a community of socially and environmentally conscious businesses. Unlike traditional corporations, Certified B Corporations are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their employees, suppliers, community, consumers, and the environment. Founded to use Canadians’ energy choices to clean our energy systems, Bullfrog is becoming a B Corp to formally recognize its commitment to Canadians and the environment, and to join a growing group of organizations using the power of business to solve social and environmental problems.

Certified B Corporations meet higher standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. In just over three years, there are already more than 425 Certified B Corporations from over 50 industries, representing $2 billion in collective revenues and $6.5 billion in capital under management.

“Bullfrog Power is an example of a rapidly growing part of the economy—the social enterprise,” says Tom Heintzman, President, Bullfrog Power. “By using business strategy to forward social and environment objectives, we hope to—with other B Corps—help bring about meaningful change for society. For us, that change includes a future powered by renewable energy.”

Bullfrog’s mission is to provide Canadians with easy and practical 100 per cent renewable energy solutions for their homes, businesses and transportation that empower them to create a sustainable world for future generations. A double bottom line organization, Bullfrog donates 10 per cent of its profits to organizations that support sustainability. Using customer demand to bring new renewable energy projects online, Bullfrog Power also works with various environmental non-governmental organizations, such as WWF-Canada, the David Suzuki Foundation and the Pembina Institute, to increase awareness of clean energy choices in Canada.

Across Canada, Bullfrog Power's green electricity is sourced exclusively from regional wind and hydro facilities that meet—and in most cases exceed—Environment Canada's EcoLogo^M standards for renewable energy. Its green natural gas facilities meet strict environmental standards as defined by ICF International.

Furthermore, Bullfrog’s products are audited annually to verify that as much green energy has been injected onto the respective energy systems as our customers have used, and that Bullfrog has retired all emissions credits related to customer contracts.

About Bullfrog Power

Bullfrog Power, Canada’s 100 per cent green energy provider, provides renewable energy solutions that allow homes and businesses to reduce their environmental impact and help create a cleaner, healthier world. Bullfrog’s green electricity comes exclusively from wind and hydro facilities that have been certified as low impact by Environment Canada under its EcoLogo^M program instead of from polluting sources like coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear. A clean, renewable alternative to fossil-fuel based natural gas, Bullfrog’s green natural gas is produced in Canada from biogas facilities that have met strict environmental criteria as defined by ICF International. Thousands of Canadian homes and businesses are doing their part to address climate change and air pollution by switching to green energy with Bullfrog Power. Homes and businesses can sign up easily, quickly and affordably at www.bullfrogpower.com.

About B Corp

Certified B Corporations 1) meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance; 2) legally expand their corporate responsibilities to include consideration of stakeholder interests; and 3) build collective voice through the power of the unifying B Corporation brand. As of July 2011, there are over 425 Certified B Corporations from over 50 industries, representing a diverse multi-billion marketplace.

About B Lab

Repurpose Compostables Launches World's Greenest Coffee Cup at Bed Bath & Beyond

12.14.2011 - 07:40AM

Repurpose® Compostables debuts World’s Greenest Coffee Cup to Consumers at Bed Bath & Beyond for the Holiday with Repurpose This! Social Media Campaign in Partnership with SHFT.com

Campaign encourages people to reuse and repurpose everyday items to raise awareness for the revolutionary, award winning, plant based, insulated compostable cup which requires no sleeve or double cupping, making it the greenest hot cup available to consumers. www.repurposecompostables.com

Repurpose® Compostables, a manufacturer of premium, eco-friendly food service products, based in Los Angeles, is pleased to announce today that their award-winning insulated hot cups will be made available to consumers at select Bed Bath & Beyond stores and at Bed Bath & Beyond.com. For the first time ever, a wide range of consumers will be able to easily incorporate environmentally friendly, compostable products into their lives. The insulated cups is the first in the family of Repurpose® products to be made available for retail sales. The cups will be available in packs of 12 with 12 matching compostable lids in 12 oz sizes for $4.99 and next year in 16 oz sizes as well.

As a green company Repurpose’s motto is Reuse First, Repurpose Second so the company is launching the product with the Repurpose This! Campaign in association with SHFT.com. This social movement campaign will encourage people to go to the company’s facebook page and post photos and videos of everyday (and not so everyday) items that people have found a new use for, like taking an old light fixture and transforming it into a strawberry planter, or turning scrap paper into lovely, ornate wallpaper – projects as simple or complex as people are willing to be. The Repurpose This! Campaign started November 1^stand will last 90 days (the time it takes one cup to compost). At the end of the 90 days SHFT.com will choose the most innovative and interesting finalist and then a vote will take place on SHFT.com with the winner receiving an iPad 2. In addition, each 90 hours of the campaign, guest curators, celeb and media alike, like Fitz & The Tantrums and DJ Flula, will select winners to receive prizes like a year’s supply of cups, concert tickets, other cool prizes, and even a chance to star in the next Repurpose® campaign video. www.facebook.com/repurpose

The technology behind the Repurpose® insulated hot cup keeps hot beverages warmer longer, and prevents heat from escaping the cup while protecting the user from burning their hands without the use of sleeves, “jackets” or double-cupping! Traditional insulated cups are made by adding additional layers of paper, whereas the Repurpose® insulated hot cup does the same, better, with our patented insulation material on a single wall cup.

Furthermore, its manufacturing uses 65% less CO2 than a traditional cup to produce, and can be composted in 90 days, offering the greenest possible alternative to Styrofoam and all other non-compostable insulated cups. “We are thrilled to be able to offer consumers the green alternative they deserve and have been looking for,” said Lauren Gropper, Chief Executive Officer of Repurpose Compostables. “We are continually striving to bring the greenest possible products to the market and this is an exciting first in what will be a line of compostable alternatives from Repurpose®.”

Up until now the Repurpose® Insulated Cup has been sold to the food service industry as part of the company’s full line of compostable products. The cup won First Prize in Sustainability at The Specialty Coffee Association of America annual show in Houston this year as well as Most Innovative New Product at the Coffee Fest show in Chicago. Now the award-winning cup will be available to everyone.

About Compostables:

Unbeknownst to many consumers, traditional cups are made from petroleum lining which makes them impossible to recycle. Repurpose® products break down into carbon dioxide, water and biomass in a commercial compost setting in 90 days or less. The compost material from our products is then used to grow more plants creating a complete cradle-to-cradle setting when used optimally. If not composted, Repurpose® products are still non-toxic and do not leach oil into consumer’s beverages.

About Repurpose:

Repurpose products are made from plants, not petroleum, using Ingeo™ resin and meet ASTM 6400 compostability standards. Founded in 2009, Repurpose® Compostables offers a line of high quality, compostable food service products for businesses and consumers with a focus on premium and innovative products that reinvent the way people look at food service. Repurpose® also offers custom products solutions in every category. Our mission is to educate the public about the problems of continuing to use petroleum-based plastic products while offering renewable, plant-based, compostable alternatives. Additionally, Repurpose® works with businesses, municipalities, and individuals to retrofit any traditionally plastic-based product with a bioplastic alternative at competitive prices. Find out more at www.repurposecompostables.com.

About SHFT.com:

SHFT is a new media platform, offering original video series, curated shopping, and a host of resources that speak to a modern, inspirational, eco-conscious lifestyle. Actor/Filmmaker Adrian Grenier and Film Producer Peter Glatzer founded SHFT after creating the TV show “ALTER ECO” for Discovery’s Planet Green. The duo decided to build a platform that uses media to curate the myriad sustainable choices now available to us and to highlight the cultural shift taking place. SHFT is made possible through founding partnerships with Virgin America, Stonyfield Farm, Marvell semiconductor, and Ford. For more information www.shft.com.

Tesco and the Sustainable Consumption Institute join the Sustainability Consortium

12.12.2011 - 08:00AM

Tesco has announced that it is joining The Sustainability Consortium, an independent group of global businesses, academics, governments and non-governmental organizations that work collaboratively to drive innovation in consumer product sustainability. The Tesco-funded Sustainable Consumption Institute (SCI) at The University of Manchester will also become an academic member of The Consortium. Tesco joins 16 other European members that provide The Sustainability Consortium a strong foothold in the region.

Joining The Consortium is a further boost to Tesco’s work on sustainability and comes after its commendation as the top green UK retailer by the internationally recognized Carbon Disclosure Project. By focusing on environmental and social sustainability in the supply chain, The Consortium’s collaboration between Tesco and other global businesses will drive sustainable production and consumption in the consumer goods market. This partnership builds on The Consortium’s recent opening of a European branch at Wageningen University & Research Centre in The Netherlands.

Tesco estimates that it saved £200 million in global energy costs last year by going green and aims to be a zero-carbon business by 2050. In addition to opening the world’s first zero-carbon supermarket², Tesco has carbon footprinted over 1,100 products since 2008, currently the largest product footprinting project undertaken by any retailer.

“Successful collaboration between leading global businesses – whether they are retailers, wholesalers, suppliers or producers - will go a long way in helping companies reduce their carbon emissions and thereby reduce the carbon footprints of the products we sell. This will help consumers make more sustainable choices about the products they buy. The Sustainability Consortium has a great opportunity to show the world that living greener lives can be attractive and affordable and that small changes really do make a big difference,” comments Helen Fleming, Group Climate Change Director. “We’re proud to be a member of The Consortium and look forward to collaborating with the many other businesses and organizations.”

Professor Alistair Ulph, Executive Director of The University of Manchester’s Sustainable Consumption Institute said: “The SCI is looking forward to collaborating with The Sustainability Consortium on research projects where there are shared interests, such as developing product category sustainability profiles and a deeper understanding of how best to influence consumers to adopt more sustainable lifestyles. We are pleased to be the first UK university involved with The Consortium and look forward to collaborative research with their business and academic partners.

“We are pleased to welcome Tesco to The Sustainability Consortium,” said Bonnie Nixon, Executive Director of The Sustainability Consortium. “Tesco is one of many companies partnering with The Consortium to make us a truly global organization. Their expertise and leadership in both the retail and sustainability community will be a great asset as we work towards delivering the science and tools to drive a new generation of sustainable products.”

About Tesco

Tesco has been named the best UK business overall for tackling climate change against other well known brands such as Sainsburys, Marks and Spencer and Morrisons. It was also the only UK business to appear in the top 10 of the CDP global ranking.

Tesco aims to become a zero carbon business by 2050 and has set targets to halve distribution emissions per case of goods delivered (against a 2006 baseline) by 2012 and to halve building emissions per sq ft (against 2006/7), by 2020. Tesco has also set targets to reduce the emissions of the products in its supply chain by 30% by 2020, and to help customers to reduce their own carbon footprints by 50% by 2020.
Tesco opened its third UK zero-carbon store in Welshpool this March, joining current zero stores already in Ramsey and Bourne. There is also one in the Czech Republic, one opening this autumn in Thailand, and more planned across the Group.
Our new Daventry distribution centre opened in May and includes a number of low-carbon features to reduce its carbon footprint, including being directly connected to the rail network which reduces distribution network emissions through the use of more trains and fewer trucks.
Giant wind turbines power three of Tesco’s grocery distribution centres in Daventry and Newport. Each of the 90 metre high, 800 kw wind turbine produce a significant amount of the centres' energy needs, with each turbine able to produce the equivalent amount of renewable energy required to power 500 domestic homes. Any surplus power is exported back to the national grid to meet local energy needs.
Despite a 7.3% increase in floor space, Tesco’s UK carbon emissions fell 5% in absolute terms (the second year in a row it’s declined). Internationally, it’s also continued to decouple business growth from carbon emissions: In 2010-11 group net sales grew 8.8%, whilst its carbon footprint increased only 2%.

About Sustainable Consumption Institute (SCI)

In 2007, Tesco committed £25 million to create a new Sustainable Consumption Institution (SCI) at the University of Manchester. The SCI is a multidisciplinary centre of global excellence, researching major national and international issues associated with sustainability and encouraging customers to adopt more sustainable lifestyles. Among its flagship projects, the SCI is focusing on how to make household consumption behaviour more sustainable, how to drive environmental innovation processes through the supply chain, and how to model climate change scenarios with a focus on food and transport. For more information, visit www.sci.manchester.ac.uk

About The Sustainability Consortium

The Sustainability Consortium, (TSC) is an independent organization of diverse global participants that work collaboratively to build a scientific foundation that drives innovation to improve consumer product sustainability. TSC develops transparent methodologies, tools, and strategies to drive a new generation of products and supply networks that address environmental, social, and economic imperatives. The Sustainability Consortium advocates for a credible, scalable, and transparent process and system. The organization boasts over 75 members from all corners of business whose combined revenues total over $1.5 Trillion. Arizona State University and the University of Arkansas jointly administer The Sustainability Consortium, which also has a European Office at Wageningen UR in The Netherlands. Learn more at www.sustainabilityconsortium.org / Twitter: @TSC_news

Diageo's First Sustainable Packaging Guidelines Published

12.09.2011 - 09:15AM

This week Diageo took a further step on our journey to becoming a truly sustainable business with the publication of our first Sustainable Packaging Guidelines. Representing our global policy on ensuring our packaging is increasingly sustainable, the guidelines reflect Diageo’s commitment to a holistic approach to reducing our overall impact on the environment across the whole of our value chain - from barley for the breweries to the bottle in the bin – and at the same time support our customers and consumers desire for more sustainable living.

Packaging has an environmental impact throughout its life – from supplier through to consumer – and our vision is to manage and reduce the impact of our packaging at every stage. The guidelines, developed by a cross functional team, define our approach to sustainable packaging based on the common principles of ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ and include examples of best practice as well as recognition that working with suppliers and other stakeholders is key to delivering our ambitions.

Commenting on the publication of the guidelines, Andy Fennell, chief marketing officer, said: “Packaging is vital in delivering and protecting our valuable brands – and increasingly customers and consumers are demanding more sustainable packs from all leading consumer goods companies. Wal-Mart, for example, has established a comprehensive packaging scorecard on which suppliers are evaluated. These new guidelines will be adopted throughout our business to ensure we drive year on year improvements. ”

David Gosnell, president global supply & procurement, added: “This is an important milestone that will ensure a consistent approach to developing new packaging and reviewing existing packs. The guidelines will not only help us meet our stretching sustainable packaging targets for 2015 but also support our engagement with customers and consumers – and further embed our position as corporate leaders in environmental sustainability.”

Diageo’s commitment to sustainable packaging includes identifying the potential for light weighting packaging, increasing the use of recycled content and optimising packaging for recycling or reuse. Download a copy of the Sustainable Packaging Guidelines.

For further information on Diageo’s Sustainability & Responsibility strategy and to download our brochure about our journey to environmental sustainability visit Diageo Sustainability & Responsibility Report 2011.

Diageo is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s, Windsor and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Jose Cuervo, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

NYC Retailer Named 2011 People's Choice Award Winner For Green Business Of The Year

12.08.2011 - 01:05PM

With thousands of ballots cast online, the winner of the 2011 People’s Choice Award for Green Business of the Year awarded by the nonprofit Green America’s Green Business Network™ (GBN) members is Sustainable NYC.

The New York City-based operation is a combined website sales operation (http://www.sustainable-nyc.com) and traditional brick-and-mortar store (139 Avenue A and 9th Street in Manhattan’s East Village). Functioning more like a community center for concerned shoppers, the retailer is a one-stop shop for a diverse range of green gifts, from organic clothing to Fair Trade jewelry to solar backpacks. Its Brooklyn, NY store also features a café that serves Fair Trade coffee and hosts green-minded events and workshops.

Green America Corporate Responsibility Director Todd Larsen said: “The 10 People’s Choice finalists are great examples of the socially and environmentally responsible business leaders that meet the standards of our Seal of Approval and make it into the National Green Pages™. So, when choosing gifts this year, keep in mind that it’s good for the planet to buy less. And when you choose a store-bought gift, please consider buying green.”

The other nine finalists for the 2011 People’s Choice Award for Green Business of the Year are:

Bella Luna Toys, Rockland, ME
888/438-1299, http://www.bellalunatoys.com
Owned and run by a Waldorf teacher and mother of two boys, Bella Luna Toys sells a variety of playthings made of ecofriendly materials like wood and silk—no plastic toys here! The toys are all held to the Waldorf standard, meaning they must be “beautiful to behold” and “inspiring to the imagination.”

Seven Hopes United, San Francisco, CA
347/746-7378, http://www.sevenhopesunited.com
Looking for an alternative to Pier 1 Imports and World Market? You can find the same type of imported, artisan-created gifts from Seven Hopes United that you would find at these stores—with the major difference that your purchases support artisans in the Fair Trade system. Instead of earning pennies for their work and being exploited by middle merchants, artisans around the world make a living wage worthy of their beautiful creations through Fair Trade. Offerings include everything from sparkling jewelry to handmade duvet covers and sheets to stunning home decor and kitchen pieces, all with an international, artistic flair.

Divine Chocolate, Washington, D.C.
202/332-8913, http://www.divinechocolate.com
Conventional chocolate companies like Hershey buy cocoa from plantations in Western African countries, where child and forced labor is a major problem. Divine Chocolate, on the other hand, sells only 100 percent certified Fair Trade chocolate, meaning that its supply chain is independently monitored to ensure that farmers earn a fair, living wage, and that no forced labor goes into growing or harvesting the cocoa beans. Divine is also 45 percent worker-owned by cocoa farmers from the Kuapa Kokoo cocoa cooperative in Ghana, giving them a say in company operations and a larger chunk of the profits from their labor. Divine milk, dark, or flavored chocolate bars make perfect stocking stuffers, as do its special holiday-themed candies.

Faerie’sDance.com, Harbor City, CA
866/492-4841, http://www.faeriesdance.com
For eco-friendly fashions for men, women, and children, Faerie’s Dance is the place to shop. The company offers attractive clothing made from sustainable soy, organic cotton, and renewable hemp. The company also has a line of jewelry made from recycled metals.

EarthKind, Bismark, ND
800/583-2921, http://www.earthkind.com
EarthKind provides a healthy alternative with its eco-friendly air fresheners made of corn cob chips, odor-absorbing volcanic ash, and essential oils. Scent your loved ones’ stockings with Fresh Adventure, Woodland Escape, Sweet Clover, or Pomegranate & Tangerine. EarthKind also specializes in FreshCab nontoxic, cruelty-free rodent repellent, enthusiastically recommended by several Green America members.

Hazelnut Kids, Traverse City, MI
888/869-1901, http://www.hazelnutkids.com
This green company offers all the variety of a Toys “R” Us toy store, without the plastics and toxic chemicals. All of Hazelnut Kids’ toys are made from natural materials like sustainably harvested wood and organic cotton, and they’re selected by owner Tracy Coe for their ability to stimulate a child’s imagination and sense of fun.

Purple Dragon Food Co-op, Glen Ridge, NJ
973/429-0391, http://www.purpledragon.com
Operated by its members, the Purple Dragon Food Co-op in Glen Ridge, NJ, sends out a mixed basket of locally sourced and organic fruits and vegetables to its members every other week, all across the northern half of the state. Members pay $46 to $53 for every delivery and work one hour every three months to help keep the co-op running smoothly.

DivaCup, Kitchener, ON
866/444-3482, http://www.divacup.com
The DivaCup is a menstrual alternative for eco-minded women on the go. Instead of contributing to the more than six billion disposable tampons flushed away each year—and the plastic applicator waste they generate—DivaCup’s enthusiastic customers use the company’s reusable tampon alternative. Made of health-caregrade silicon, the DivaCup can be safely worn for up to 12 hours, making it perfect for eco-minded women with busy lives.

Reach and Teach, San Mateo, CA
415/586-1713, http://www.reachandteach.com
Reach and Teach, “a peace and social justice learning company,” aims to transform the world through its products that are tailor-made for gift giving. They offer books, games, puzzles, toys, curriculae, music, posters, DVDs, maps, and more for people of all ages. From civil-rights-themed board games to the homophobia-combating book Sometimes a Spoon Runs Away with Another Spoon, the company’s items combine “teachable moments” with whimsy and fun.

Thousands more Green Businesses and great green products can be found at Green America’s Green Pages (www.greenpages.org). The Green Pages currently features a Holiday Gift Guide that has savings on great green gifts (http://www.greenpages.org/content/green-americas-green-gift-guide.html).

About Green America

Green America is the nation’s leading green economy organization. Founded in 1982, Green America (formerly Co-op America) provides the economic strategies, organizing power and practical tools for businesses and individuals to solve today's social and environmental problems. For more information, go to http://www.GreenAmerica.org.

Green America’s Green Business Network™ is the first, largest, and most diverse network of socially and environmentally responsible businesses in the US. GBN links green businesses to the growing marketplace of values-driven consumers. The Green Business Network provides services and connections that benefit both emerging and expanding green businesses. For more information, go to http://www.greenamerica.org/greenbusiness/.

Corporate Express Helps Australian Organizations Reduce Their Carbon Footprint

12.06.2011 - 04:00PM

Corporate Express today announced that it has taken its best selling product EXP 800/801 and has made it carbon neutral[1]. Staples Carbon Neutral A4/A3 copy paper is one of the first office copy paper products to receive the Australian Government’s National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS) certification. It is also certified under the Australian Forestry Standard and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).

As an industry leader in sustainability, Corporate Express is committed to helping all its customers reduce their carbon footprint by making sustainable office product choices easier.

Edward Baral, National Merchandising Manager, Corporate Express Australia said, “Based on last year’s sales of EXP800/801 copy paper, the introduction of Staples Carbon Neutral copy paper has the potential to remove or offset the equivalent of 71,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the environment in 2012 through the purchase of this product[2]. That is the equivalent of taking 16,500 cars off the road for a year.”[3]

As the leading office copy paper supplier in Australia, Corporate Express wanted to make it easy for customers to choose an Australian made carbon neutral alternative.

Meg McDonald, CEO of Low Carbon Australia, congratulated Corporate Express for their leadership in bringing this Australian made carbon neutral product to market, enabling more business customers to make the smart choice and contribute to Australia’s low carbon economy.

“This is an important demonstration of an industry leading business in Australia taking an active role in helping Australian businesses to lower their carbon footprint through the provision, use and consumption of NCOS certified copy paper,” said Ms McDonald.

“Staples Carbon Neutral copy paper is Australian-made and is replacing the existing EXP800/801 copy paper. We are delighted that we can transition our customers to a carbon neutral product at no additional cost,” Mr Baral said.

“Today’s carbon neutral copy paper launch offers a simple but significant step for Australian businesses and other organisations looking to reduce their carbon footprint. The purchasing of this carbon neutral product will also enable our customers to access internationally recognised GRI and sustainability reporting on their carbon neutral paper usage,” Mr Baral concluded.

Corporate Express won the 2011 Australian Business Award for Environmental Sustainability. This award recognises organisations that demonstrate leadership and commitment to the enhancement, preservation and protection of the environment.

About Corporate Express

Corporate Express Australia Pty Limited is one of Australia’s leading suppliers of office essentials, with a product offering including office products, IT solutions, business furniture, print management, canteen and catering supplies, promotional marketing, facility supplies and education products. Corporate Express Australia, Corporate Express New Zealand, are owned by Staples.

About Staples

Staples is the world’s largest office products company and a trusted source for office solutions. The company provides products, services and expertise in office supplies, copy & print, technology, facilities and break room, and furniture. Staples invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and now has annual sales of $25 billion, ranking second in the world in eCommerce sales. With 90,000 associates worldwide, Staples operates in 26 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia, making it easy for businesses of all sizes, and consumers. The company is headquartered outside Boston. More information about Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS) is available at www.staples.com/media.

About the National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS)

The Australian Government introduced the National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS) in 2010 to provide national consistency and consumer confidence in the voluntary carbon market. The standard serves two primary functions – it provides guidance on what is a genuine voluntary offset and sets minimum requirements for calculating, auditing and offsetting the carbon footprint of an organisation or product to achieve ‘carbon neutrality’.

The NCOS Carbon Neutral Program is administered by Low Carbon Australia on behalf of the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency. See www.climatechange.gov.au for more information.

About Low Carbon Australia – Carbon Neutral Program

The Carbon Neutral Program is a voluntary scheme which allows Australian businesses to measure, reduce and offset greenhouse gas emissions associated with business operations or products.

The Program is administered by Low Carbon Australia on behalf of the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency. Low Carbon Australia was set up by the Australian Government in 2010 as a company limited by guarantee with an independent board of directors. For more information please visit www.lowcarbonaustralia.com.au/cnprogram.

[1] Certified carbon neutral under the NCOS Carbon Neutral Program, administered by Low Carbon Australia” http://www.climatechange.gov.au/government/initiatives/national-carbon-offset-standard.aspx

[2] Calculation based on EXP800 & EXP801 sales for the 12 months up until September 2011, Emissions factor drawn from our manufacturer's Greenhouse Friendly Product Annual Emissions Verification Report to the DCCEE NCOS program verifiers, Low Carbon Australia, May 2011.

[3] Assumes 12L/100km/year in a petrol car. Ref: www.environment.gov.au

CSX Introduces Improved Carbon Calculator

12.02.2011 - 05:05PM

As millions of Americans head to stores or make online purchases, CSX has launched an improved Carbon Calculator aimed at helping consumers and businesses better understand the key role freight rail plays in a sustainable supply chain.

“CSX’s online Carbon Calculator not only helps our customers make smart supply chain decisions, it also helps educate consumers about the path items take to get to store shelves or their front door,” said Carl Gerhardstein, assistant vice president, environmental systems and sustainability. “This tool demonstrates our commitment to responsible business and helps consumers understand how freight rail positively affects the life-cycle of the goods they buy.”

To demonstrate the efficiencies of CSX’s network, the calculator compares the carbon emissions generated by freight rail to those of long-haul trucks over similar routes. Consumers are able to choose from a number of variables – from the type and volume of goods transported to the length of the route – to estimate the average carbon emissions reduced by shipping via rail.

The tool also plays an important role for businesses, helping them optimize their supply chains as they bring goods to market more sustainably than ever before. The calculator provides shippers an opportunity to better understand the environmental benefits of shipping their goods via rail. The tool shows how intermodal shipments – combining both truck and rail transport to maximize efficiency – can drastically reduce carbon emissions.

Check out CSX’s enhanced carbon calculator on www.CSX.com to learn how freight rail can reduce the environmental footprint of businesses and consumers alike.

About CSX
CSX Corporation, based in Jacksonville, Fla., is one of the nation’s leading transportation companies, providing rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services. The company's transportation network spans approximately 21,000 miles, with service to 23 eastern states and the District of Columbia. CSX’s network connects more than 240 short line and regional railroads and more than 70 ocean, river, and lake ports. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com. Follow CSX on Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/OfficialCSX).

IKEA Plugs In 3 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations In San Diego, CA

11.29.2011 - 11:33AM

IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today officially plugged-in three Blink Pedestal electric vehicle charging stations at its San Diego, California store as part of its partnership with ECOtality, Inc. (NASDAQ:ECTY), a leader in clean electric transportation and storage technologies. This initiative represents the third such project for IKEA in the United States. Installation also is planned at six other IKEA stores in the Western U.S. To charge an EV at IKEA San Diego, drivers pull into a designated parking spot, swipe their Blink InCard (RFID card), plug the charger into the EV, and then shop and eat at their leisure in the IKEA store while the vehicle is charging. Drivers can get a Blink InCard at www.blinknetwork.com.

“Installing electric-vehicle charging stations at IKEA San Diego is another way to build upon our commitment to sustainability,” said Jim Tilley, IKEA San Diego store manager. “At IKEA, we believe in being a good business while doing good business. Making it easier for the public to drive EVs – with support from ECOtality and SDG&E – accomplishes both goals.”

ECOtality is the project manager of The EV Project, a public-private partnership funded in part by a federal stimulus grant from the U.S. Department of Energy made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to provide the necessary infrastructure to support the deployment of EVs. ECOtality is overseeing the installation of approximately 14,000 commercial and residential charging stations in 18 cities and major metropolitan areas in six states and the District of Columbia. IKEA stores are in four of those states.

“In order for EV infrastructure to be a success, it is essential that private enterprises take an active role,” stated Andy Hoskinson, San Diego Area Manager for ECOtality. “IKEA has shown true leadership by installing Blink charging stations at their locations, and making Blink chargers accessible to the public.”

IKEA, drawing from its Swedish heritage and respect of nature, believes it can be a good business while doing good business and strives for its operations to minimize impacts on the environment. Globally, IKEA evaluates all locations regularly for energy conservation opportunities, integrates innovative materials into product design, works with Global Forest Watch to maintain sustainable resources, and flat-packs goods for efficient distribution. Specific U.S. sustainable efforts include: recycling waste material (paper, wood, plastic, etc.); incorporating environmental measures into the construction of buildings in terms of energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems, recycled construction materials, skylights in warehouse areas, and water conserving restrooms; and operationally, phasing out the sale of incandescent light bulbs and facilitating recycling of customers’ compact fluorescent bulbs.

Additionally, IKEA is rolling out rooftop solar energy systems at many of its U.S. locations.

Located on 10 acres along I-8 between I-805 and I-15, the 198,000-s.f. IKEA San Diego opened in September 2000 and employs approximately 275 coworkers. In addition to 10,000 exclusively designed items, IKEA San Diego presents 32 different room-settings, a model home interior, a supervised children’s play area, and a 150-seat restaurant serving Swedish specialties such as meatballs with lingonberries and Gravad Lax plates, as well as American dishes. Other family-friendly features include a ‘Children’s IKEA’ area in the Showroom, baby care rooms, preferred parking and play areas throughout the store.

IKEA also completed installation of a solar energy system atop the store this summer.

IKEA strives to be ‘The Life Improvement Store,’ and since its 1943 founding in Sweden, has offered home furnishings of good design and function, at low prices so the majority of people can afford them. There are currently more than 330 IKEA stores in 40 countries, including 38 in the U.S. IKEA incorporates sustainable efforts into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that benefit children and the environment. For more information, go to IKEA-USA.com.

Go Green Expo 2011

03.22.2011 - 11:00AM

The LA Go Green Expo, sponsored by KTLA-Television & CBS Radio will feature over 200 eco-friendly booths & exhibits featuring the latest in "green" products & services.

Eco-celebrity speakers, best selling authors and industry leaders will be teaching attendees how to green their life & business.

We are honored that one of the "bravest" men in the world Captain Paul Watson of Discovery's Whale Wars will be one of our speakers, along with the "greenest" man we all know, eco-leader, actor & author Ed Begley Jr., and one of the "healthiest" women I know; actress & author Mariel Hemingway, along with the "greenest" builder; the Organic Architect Eric Corey Freed & more...

Friday April 15th is the Business to Business & Press /VIP day for business professionals who buy for their companies or organizations. This day features Complimentary Admission.

Sat. & Sun. April 16-17th is for all consumers, families & business professionals. Admission is $15 for the whole weekend.

For full details & tickets: www.gogreenexpo.com For "green" companies looking to exhibit their products & services, please contact Bradford Rand - BRand@GoGreenExpo.com or call him at 212.655.4505 ext. 223

Highlights include:

Eco-Film Festival with over 2 dozen captivating films Eco-Wine, Food & Spirits Tasting pavilion
Eco-Pet Expo with speakers, organic & natural pet products
Kids pavilion with free yoga, eco-artwork & more
Display of latest hybrid & electric cars 200+ eco-exhibits of green home & building, eco-fashion & beauty, and so much more...

Official After party Special classic rock musical performance Saturday April 16th. Join us for an Evening of Classic Rock with a tribute to "The Doors" from Feast of Friends - Bradford Rand on Vocals, Chad Dinzes on keyboards, special guest Ty Dennis - the current drummer from the Real Doors who tours with Ray Manzarek & Bobby Krieger!) and Matt Katz Bohen who tours with Debbie Harry's Blondie! This reunion gig will take place at THE ROXY on Sunset Blvd. See you April 15 - 17th at the LA Convention Center! Editor's Note: View the associated press release here.

Waste Management Releases 2010 Sustainability Report

01.19.2011 - 04:05PM

Baxter Highlights Progress Toward Sustainability Priorities, Including First and Only Carbon Trust Certification for Medical Product, in New Report

06.24.2010 - 09:15AM

Becoming a Brand of the Future: Making Your Brand Appeal to Consumers’ Consciences

12.04.2009 - 05:09PM

Brands live in a world of ever-changing expectations. Differentiating your brand by building and keeping trust and loyalty among consumers is increasingly dependent on social or environmental promises. Brands of the future anticipate, rather than just respond to, what consumers and customer want.

Megan DeYoung, Manager US Operations, and Liza Lort-Phillips, Associate Director, from Corporate Citizenship will shed light on the complex, brave new world that brands are navigating. They will draw on real-world examples to illustrate how brands can reach the conscience consumer and will discuss common pitfalls. Through the course of the presentation, they will address several important questions:
1. How do you tap consumers’ consciences with an existing brand? Or should you develop a new brand?
2. How do you make your brand credible? Should you be considering eco-labels and third party certification?
3. How do you get over the fear of being accused of greenwashing?
4. How can you leverage a more ethical brand with your customers?
5. Should your brand be carbon neutral? Is cause-related marketing right for you? What are your other options for addressing social issues?

The webinar will also summarize research on UK consumers’ views on ethical products conducted by Corporate Citizenship and Brand Democracy, a strategy and research firm.

Who should participate: Brand managers, sales and marketing managers, CSR managers, sustainability managers

Date: December 10, 2009

Time: 12:00 pm EST

Cost: FREE

Visual log-in information: To join the webinar, visit: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/join/499661537.
Audio dial-in information: To listen to the webinar, use the following dial-in information:
• United States: 1.914.339.0034
• United Kingdom: 44.(0).203.355.7649
• Access Code: 499-661-537
• Audio PIN: Shown after joining the meeting
• Meeting ID: 499-661-537

About Corporate Citizenship

Corporate Citizenship is a management consulting company that offers clients around the world unrivalled breadth and depth of experience in corporate responsibility. Since 1997, we have advised leading, multi-national corporations on how to enhance and align their citizenship and traditional business activities to create strategic business value. We work with multinational clients like Abbott Laboratories, Unilever, Cadbury, and Pearson.

For more information contact Megan DeYoung at megan.deyoung@corporate-citizenship.com.

Organicology: Studies for Sustainable Success in the Organic Foods Trade

02.25.2009 - 11:00PM

The organic food and farming sector will gather in Portland for Organicology, a three-day conference offering in-depth workshops and courses, networking, a trade show, and keynote presentations on sustainable food, farming and seed production from the world's foremost organic food and farming experts. This first-time event is designed for anyone working in the organics industry and promises perspective enhancement, skill development, inspiration and celebration.

EcoNouveau

10.13.2007 - 12:00AM

LA Fashion Week gets kicked off by a green stiletto at "EcoNouveau", a
fashion, music and art show on Saturday, October 13th in downtown Los
Angeles at Vibiana. EcoNouveau, a co-production spearheaded by Rob
Ganger of Pollinator Media Group and Sarah Shewey of Pink Cloud
Events, will feature the Spring/Summer 08 collection of the most
innovative eco-fashion designers in a non-traditional runway show
crafted for an audience of 1,500 international press, buyers and
eco-conscious celebrities and influencers. The event premieres on
October 13th at restored cathedral Vibiana in Downtown Los Angeles.
Alternative art and production company BOXeight is the official host
of EcoNouveau. Music by featuring Dublab artists Mia Doi Todd
Daedelus, Frosty and DJ Nobody.

Art by Geza X, Sebastian Copeland, Mark Griffin, Chris Jordan, Ian
Shive, Timothy Williams. John Trudell spoken word, 'Earthling' by Mesha Kussman...

Partners--Global Green, Tree Media Group, Foundation Structures, Green and Blacks Chocolate, Yogi Times, IZO Cleanze
For all info please visit www.EcoNouveau.com/event.html

Vibiana 210 South Main Street Los Angeles CA 90012